Republic Services – West Virginia Short Creek Landfill
Educating Ohio County, WV voters on a critical and controversial waste management concern, and winning public support for Republic Services to expand a landfill service in the area

Challenge:
A referendum question on the May 2014 primary ballot was going to ask voters whether Republic Services, the country’s second largest waste services provider, should be allowed to increase the volume of waste they accept at their Short Creek landfill in Wheeling, West Virginia. The facility faced possible closure if this increase was not approved, which would subsequently cause operational problems for Republic.

Strategy and Tactics:

• Built a broad coalition of local state senators, representatives, the local mayor, the local Teamsters leadership, county commissioners, the chamber of commerce, the regional economic development authority, the local newspaper and the mayors of several smaller municipalities in the region, all in support of the facility’s waste increase

• Created the Yes to Short Creek campaign to engage and educate voters with messages from trusted community members

• Researched and analyzed the voting trends and history in Ohio County to identify what success would need to look like on Election Day

• Directed outreach and engagement across all media platforms from champions in our respective constituencies

• Conducted educational town hall meetings and attended community events

• Pitched editorials and letters to the editor from our champions to local outlets and facilitated interviews between campaign staff and supporters with media

Outcome:
Resolute successfully conducted an eight-week campaign in support of the Short Creek facility, and voters in Ohio County, West Virginia overwhelming voted in support of the referendum (77%) to allow Republic Service’s increased capacity at their Wheeling facility.