The first meeting of the Central Appalachia Highway Economic Development Authority was held Wednesday afternoon. The authority is made up of 15 members from the private sector and representatives of five counties from southern West Virginia. Part of the Interstate-73/74 corridor from Michigan to Myrtle Beach passes through southern West Virginia, specifically Mercer, McDowell, Wyoming, Mingo and Wayne counties. The agency is planning for economic development to give the area a boost. The authority, created by the legislature, will meet at least four times per year.