MARTINSBURG, W.V. — A new business district poised to ramp up economic development in the area recently signed on its first occupant, 167th TFR Federal Credit Union.

The $33 million credit union is scheduled to open a new branch by spring 2007 in the Tabler Station Business Park. TFR FCU paid $200,000 for the land, which is part of 326-acre farm property purchased by the Berkeley County Development Authority in 2004. Lynn Haynes, CEO of TFR FCU, said the new location will be especially accommodating to members on the south side of Martinsburg as well as being near its original home at West Virginia Air National Guard Base at Eastern West Virginia Regional Airport.

Nine local banks loaned $3 million to the Berkeley County Development Authority to help purchase the land for commercial development, according to BCDA Executive Director Bob Crawford. Construction on a bank office is scheduled to begin over the next few months.