The state is offering leases to developers for about 80 acres around Tamarack.

The deadline for submitting bids is March 19.

West Virginia Turnpike Manager Greg Barr says the goal is to generate revenue to help support the artisan center and to increase its customer traffic and sales.

Barr told the state Parkways Economic Development and Tourism Authority Thursday that four developers and 11 contractors participated in a recent conference call concerning the property.

Gov. Joe Manchin wants control of Tamarack to shift from the parkways authority to the state Department of Commerce. But that will require replacing annual subsidies from the authority that keep Tamarack afloat.

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