April 9, 2008
April 2008 Open for Business Report
By Governor Joe Manchin
The April 2008 Open for Business report highlights projects and related announcements that will assist with the creation of new jobs and the preservation of a significant number of existing jobs.
CSX announces plans to hire 80 dispatchers in Huntington
CSX Huntington has announced expansion plans that include creating 80 new dispatcher jobs with an average annual wage of $75,000 plus benefits. The dispatchers will be based at CSX division headquarters in Huntington, W.Va. Additional support positions will also be created. The $7.8 million investment for the expansion project includes renovations and new equipment, as well as relocation costs. This expansion is part of CSX's corporate plan to relocate approximately 300 trained dispatchers from Jacksonville, Fla. to six locations across its 21-state system.
WVU receives funding for fossil energy research
West Virginia University is part of a three-university consortium awarded up to $26 million over the next two years to develop clean and efficient technologies for the use of fossil fuels. WVU, Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh will receive the funding through a subcontract with RDS Inc., an on-site contractor at the National Energy Technology Laboratory. The university partnership, called CWP Inc., will address key areas of fossil fuel research. The results of its work could help reduce regional and national dependence on foreign oil.
NASA uses WVHTC innovative Grid Exchange to prepare for possible missions
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is researching new technologies through the Global Grid Exchange to prepare for possible manned missions to the moon and Mars. The Grid Exchange is an innovation of the West Virginia High Technology Consortium (WVHTC) Foundation, a non-profit high-technology economic development organization based in Fairmont. The Exchange is an online marketplace that gives users access to the spare processing power of countless Internet-connected computers, helping to drive innovation. Using WVHTC’s Global Exchange Grid will enable NASA to run more simulations faster.
WVEDA approves more than $1 million for expansion projects
The West Virginia Economic Development Authority approved two loans to businesses during its March meeting.
Weston is first W.Va. city to have “fiber-to-the-business” Internet service
Weston in Lewis County is the first community in West Virginia to get Fibernet’s “fiber-to-the-business” service, a broadband delivery system that replaces copper wires with fiber optic lines. The result, said Fibernet president David Armentrout, will be dramatically faster Internet service. Fibernet officials say they hope to expand “fiber-to-the-business” Internet service across West Virginia.
U.S. Cellular to offer new or improved cell phone service to West Virginia
U.S. Cellular, the nation’s sixth-largest wireless service carrier, announced plans to build 70 new cell sites over the next five years. More than 400,000 state residents are expected to benefit from this service expansion. Part of this expansion will be paid for with money from the federal Universal Services Fund, a fund established by Congress to help build and expand telecommunications infrastructure in rural and underserved areas.
Forbes names Morgantown, Huntington, to “Best Places” lists
In its March19, 2008, issue, Forbes awarded Morgantown, W.Va., sixth place in its list of top 10 “Best Smaller Metros.” Huntington took top honors for “cost of living,” based on cost of housing, utilities, transportation and other expenditures. This marks the second consecutive year Morgantown has earned a spot on the Forbes list.
WVSBDC client wins “Best of Show” at ADDY Awards
West Virginia Small Business Development Center client Maple Creative won “Best of Show” for the second year in a row at the regional “ADDY” advertising awards. The Charleston company received the honor for the movie-themed “Kelley’s Presents” campaign for Kelley’s Men’s Store in Charleston. Maple Creative won one silver and six gold ADDY awards at the March gala held at the Charleston Civic Center.
Charleston Area Alliance announces 2008 “Expect the Best” winners
The Charleston Area Alliance announced the winners of the 2008 “Expect the Best” Awards. The awards, which recognize businesses and organizations that promote quality of life, will be presented at the Alliance’s Annual Celebration on May 6 at the Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences. Winners by category are Pullin, Fowler, Flanagan, Brown and Poe, large organizations; Blue Smoke Salsa Inc., small organizations; Appalachian Association of Professional Musicians, American Federation of Musicians, Local 136, AFL-CIO, non-profit; and University of Charleston, “Simply the Best” Award of Distinction.
West Virginia sites featured on National Geographic Driving Tours map
West Virginia’s Midland Trail, Coal Heritage Trail and the Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike are among the 28 Appalachian driving tours featured on the new National Geographic map of Appalachia. The map — a specially-produced, full-sized map of the Appalachian region — is featured in the April issue of National Geographic Traveler. Interactive versions of the tours are available at www.visitappalachia.com. Created through a partnership among the West Virginia Division of Tourism, the Appalachian Regional Commission and the National Geographic Society, the map is designed to steer more tourists to the Appalachian region.
Communities receive $2.3 million toward sewer projects
The Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) has made $2.3 million in payments to communities for 11 sewer projects under construction. Since January 2008, 15 sewer construction projects have begun with the assistance of $7.2 million from the CWSRF.
Study reports cost of living in West Virginia is low
In 2007, West Virginia offered the 21st-lowest cost-of-living in the United States. The state's cost-of-living was 4 percent below the national average, according to the American Chamber of Commerce Researchers Association Cost of Living Survey, Third Quarter 2007. The U.S. Department of Commerce Bureau of Economic Analysis reports that West Virginia's per capita income (PCI) grew by more than $1,300 from 2006 to 2007. Although the state’s PCI remains 49th in the country, West Virginia’s long-term per capita income growth of 34.8 percent from 2000 to 2007 exceeds the national rate of 29.4 percent, and is the nation’s 16th best growth rate.
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April 2008 Open for Business Report
By Governor Joe Manchin
The April 2008 Open for Business report highlights projects and related announcements that will assist with the creation of new jobs and the preservation of a significant number of existing jobs.
CSX announces plans to hire 80 dispatchers in Huntington
CSX Huntington has announced expansion plans that include creating 80 new dispatcher jobs with an average annual wage of $75,000 plus benefits. The dispatchers will be based at CSX division headquarters in Huntington, W.Va. Additional support positions will also be created. The $7.8 million investment for the expansion project includes renovations and new equipment, as well as relocation costs. This expansion is part of CSX's corporate plan to relocate approximately 300 trained dispatchers from Jacksonville, Fla. to six locations across its 21-state system.
WVU receives funding for fossil energy research
West Virginia University is part of a three-university consortium awarded up to $26 million over the next two years to develop clean and efficient technologies for the use of fossil fuels. WVU, Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh will receive the funding through a subcontract with RDS Inc., an on-site contractor at the National Energy Technology Laboratory. The university partnership, called CWP Inc., will address key areas of fossil fuel research. The results of its work could help reduce regional and national dependence on foreign oil.
NASA uses WVHTC innovative Grid Exchange to prepare for possible missions
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is researching new technologies through the Global Grid Exchange to prepare for possible manned missions to the moon and Mars. The Grid Exchange is an innovation of the West Virginia High Technology Consortium (WVHTC) Foundation, a non-profit high-technology economic development organization based in Fairmont. The Exchange is an online marketplace that gives users access to the spare processing power of countless Internet-connected computers, helping to drive innovation. Using WVHTC’s Global Exchange Grid will enable NASA to run more simulations faster.
WVEDA approves more than $1 million for expansion projects
The West Virginia Economic Development Authority approved two loans to businesses during its March meeting.
- Charleston Steel Co., $616,000, to purchase a 48,000-square-foot building and equipment. The structural steel fabrication business is based in Dunbar, Kanawha County.
- T&N Electric Motor Exchange Inc, $460,000, for increased renovation costs of its facility in Bluefield, Mercer County. T&N sells, repairs, exchanges, manufactures and remanufactures electric motors.
Weston is first W.Va. city to have “fiber-to-the-business” Internet service
Weston in Lewis County is the first community in West Virginia to get Fibernet’s “fiber-to-the-business” service, a broadband delivery system that replaces copper wires with fiber optic lines. The result, said Fibernet president David Armentrout, will be dramatically faster Internet service. Fibernet officials say they hope to expand “fiber-to-the-business” Internet service across West Virginia.
U.S. Cellular to offer new or improved cell phone service to West Virginia
U.S. Cellular, the nation’s sixth-largest wireless service carrier, announced plans to build 70 new cell sites over the next five years. More than 400,000 state residents are expected to benefit from this service expansion. Part of this expansion will be paid for with money from the federal Universal Services Fund, a fund established by Congress to help build and expand telecommunications infrastructure in rural and underserved areas.
Forbes names Morgantown, Huntington, to “Best Places” lists
In its March19, 2008, issue, Forbes awarded Morgantown, W.Va., sixth place in its list of top 10 “Best Smaller Metros.” Huntington took top honors for “cost of living,” based on cost of housing, utilities, transportation and other expenditures. This marks the second consecutive year Morgantown has earned a spot on the Forbes list.
WVSBDC client wins “Best of Show” at ADDY Awards
West Virginia Small Business Development Center client Maple Creative won “Best of Show” for the second year in a row at the regional “ADDY” advertising awards. The Charleston company received the honor for the movie-themed “Kelley’s Presents” campaign for Kelley’s Men’s Store in Charleston. Maple Creative won one silver and six gold ADDY awards at the March gala held at the Charleston Civic Center.
Charleston Area Alliance announces 2008 “Expect the Best” winners
The Charleston Area Alliance announced the winners of the 2008 “Expect the Best” Awards. The awards, which recognize businesses and organizations that promote quality of life, will be presented at the Alliance’s Annual Celebration on May 6 at the Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences. Winners by category are Pullin, Fowler, Flanagan, Brown and Poe, large organizations; Blue Smoke Salsa Inc., small organizations; Appalachian Association of Professional Musicians, American Federation of Musicians, Local 136, AFL-CIO, non-profit; and University of Charleston, “Simply the Best” Award of Distinction.
West Virginia sites featured on National Geographic Driving Tours map
West Virginia’s Midland Trail, Coal Heritage Trail and the Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike are among the 28 Appalachian driving tours featured on the new National Geographic map of Appalachia. The map — a specially-produced, full-sized map of the Appalachian region — is featured in the April issue of National Geographic Traveler. Interactive versions of the tours are available at www.visitappalachia.com. Created through a partnership among the West Virginia Division of Tourism, the Appalachian Regional Commission and the National Geographic Society, the map is designed to steer more tourists to the Appalachian region.
Communities receive $2.3 million toward sewer projects
The Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) has made $2.3 million in payments to communities for 11 sewer projects under construction. Since January 2008, 15 sewer construction projects have begun with the assistance of $7.2 million from the CWSRF.
Study reports cost of living in West Virginia is low
In 2007, West Virginia offered the 21st-lowest cost-of-living in the United States. The state's cost-of-living was 4 percent below the national average, according to the American Chamber of Commerce Researchers Association Cost of Living Survey, Third Quarter 2007. The U.S. Department of Commerce Bureau of Economic Analysis reports that West Virginia's per capita income (PCI) grew by more than $1,300 from 2006 to 2007. Although the state’s PCI remains 49th in the country, West Virginia’s long-term per capita income growth of 34.8 percent from 2000 to 2007 exceeds the national rate of 29.4 percent, and is the nation’s 16th best growth rate.
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