09/04/2026
❤️Today is a big day for Mercer County 911, and honestly…
It hit me right in the heart. ❤️
We officially signed the contract to bring Next Generation 911 to our community. This is something we’ve hoped for, worked toward, and worried we might not be able to afford for a long time. And today, it became real.
NG911 means more reliable phone service, better mapping and location accuracy, and redundant systems that keep 911 running even during major storms like Hurricane Helene. It means that when someone in Mercer County calls for help, the call gets through and help gets moving.
This was only made possible because two of our local foundations stepped up in a way that truly changed Mercer County's future:
🌟The Preservati Family Charitable Trust Foundation
- and-
🌟The Hugh I. Shott Jr. Foundation.
Without them, Mercer County would have to wait for NG911, possibly years. Years we don’t have when it comes to protecting our community.
In West Virginia, 911 centers are funded by landline and cellular fees, and the cost of NG911 is huge. Mercer County 911 is even more unique because we operate as our own authority. When we say we stand alone, we didn't know that wasn't really true, because these two amazing Foundations said: "Not today, we stand with you!"
I’m grateful. Our team is grateful. And our community is safer today because two Foundations believed in us and in the people we serve.
Mercer County 911 is moving forward, and we didn’t do it alone. ❤️