Majority of state's counties report increased unemployment rate in November

CHARLESTON -- West Virginia's unemployment rate climbed two-tenths of a percentage point to 7.9  percent in November 2009. The majority of counties reported increasing unemployment rates as well, according to data released today by Workforce West Virginia.

The number of counties recording an unemployment rate considered much worse than average when compared to the state rate rose in November. This group included Jackson (12.1), Mason (12.4), Calhoun (12.5), Clay (13.1), Pocahontas (13.3), and Roane (13.8). 

The number of counties recording an unemployment rate considered better than average when compared to the state rate declined slightly. This group contained Cabell (6.6), Jefferson (6.4), Marion (6.4), Monroe (6.3), and Putnam (6.0). Once again, Monongalia (4.5) was the sole county recording an unemployment rate considered much better than average when compared to the state rate.

Congress passes transportation bill including millions for West Virginia road projects

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., who serves as the senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced the Congress has cleared and sent to President Obama for his signature the Fiscal Year 2010 Transportation and Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD) Appropriations bill. As part of the funding measure Byrd secured millions of dollars in funding for road projects throughout West Virginia as part of his on-going efforts to provide a safer, more efficient transportation network throughout the Mountain State. 

Funding Byrd included in the transportation appropriations measure for road projects and transportation research programs throughout West Virginia are as follows:

• Corridor H: $4.383 million for the West Virginia Division of Highways (WVDOH) for the continued construction of Corridor H, the only unfinished corridor highway in West Virginia, as part of the Appalachian Development Highway System (ADHS). The $4.383 million Byrd added to the bill would be used primarily for work on the roadway between Bismarck and Forman. The State of West Virginia also receives annual ADHS formula funding as a result of Byrd’s efforts in past transportation authorization measures;

• West Virginia Route 10: $1.948 million for the WVDOH to continue construction and improvements to Route 10 in Logan County;

• Coalfields Expressway: $1.948 million for the WVDOH for the continued construction of the Coalfields Expressway, a proposed 112-mile four-lane, limited-access, highway that will run from I-64-77 in Beckley to U.S. 23 in Pound, Virginia. This funding would be used for work associated with the Allen Creek to Slab Fork area;

• King Coal Highway: $1.948 million for the WVDOH for the continued construction of the King Coal Highway, the 104-mile segment of U.S. 52 that extends from the Robert C. Byrd Freeway near Williamson to Interstate 77 near Bluefield. Funding will be used for construction of an interchange to WV 460 in Mercer County;

• U.S. Route 35: $1.948 million for the WVDOH for continued construction of the West Virginia portion of U.S. Route 35, which runs from the Ohio River east through Mason, Putnam, and Kanawha Counties and connects with Interstate 64 in Charleston. The roadway serves as a vital commercial thoroughfare, with trucks using the road as part of their route through Charleston and onto Cincinnati, Dayton, and Columbus, Ohio, and beyond;

• Wetzel Street Bridge: $487,000 for the WVDOH to replace the current Wetzel Street Bridge in the Town of Hundred which has been closed to traffic;

• Monongalia General Hospital Access Road: $974,000 for the construction of an access road that will provide emergency vehicles, patients, visitors and staff direct access to Monongalia General Hospital in Monongalia County;

• Hardy County Complex Access Road: $1.461 million for the Hardy County Rural Development Authority in Moorefield to construct an access road to West Virginia Eastern Community and Technical College and points beyond; and

• West Virginia University (WVU) Construction Facilities Center: $243,500 for WVU to continue development of Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) composites for various transportation initiatives. FRP is non-corrosive, two times stronger and four times lighter than steel with at least twice the service life.

West Virginia's unemployment rate rose to 7.9 percent in November

CHARLESTON -- West Virginia’s unemployment rate climbed two-tenths of a percentage point to 7.9 percent in November, WorkForce West Virginia reported today. The number of unemployed state residents rose 1,800 to 62,800. Total unemployment was up 30,600 over the year. 

Total nonfarm payroll employment rose 1,300, with a gain of 1,700 in the service-providing sector overpowering a decline of 400 in the goods-producing sector. 

Within the goods-producing sector, declines of 800 in construction and 200 in mining and logging offset a gain of 600 in manufacturing. The service-providing sector saw employment gains of 1,400 in trade, transportation, and utilities, 600 in professional and business services, 400 in government, 200 in educational and health services, and 200 in financial activities. Declines included 800 in leisure and hospitality and 300 in other services. Employment in information was unchanged over the month. 

Since November 2008, total nonfarm payroll employment has fallen 17,500, with losses of 11,800 in the goods-producing sector and 5,700 in the service-providing sector. Declines included 6,500 in trade, transportation, and utilities, 4,800 in manufacturing, 4,700 in mining and logging, 2,300 in construction, 1,300 in leisure and hospitality, 700 in financial activities, 600 in information, and 600 in other services.

Employment gains included 1,900 in professional and business services, 1,400 in educational and health services, and 700 in government. 

West Virginia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate inched downward one-tenth of a percentage point to 8.4 percent, while the national rate declined two-tenths of a percentage point to 10.0 percent. 

Four West Virginia companies recognized for energy efficiency

CHARLESTON – Gov. Joe Manchin and the West Virginia Division of Energy today announced that four large West Virginia businesses have received national recognition for their efforts to reduce energy consumption.

Mittal Steel in Weirton, Marble King in Paden City, QuadGraphics in Martinsburg, and Wheeling Nisshin in Follansbee each recently received the U.S. Department of Energy’s Industrial Technologies Program Save Energy Now Awards.

Each of these businesses participated in an onsite energy assessment conducted by the Industrial Assessment Center of West Virginia University, which focused on all energy-using industrial processes.

By implementing recommendations from these evaluations, Mittal Steel was able to achieve more than 15 percent total energy savings and was named an Energy Champion Plant for 2009. The other three companies each achieved a total annual energy savings of more than 7.5 percent and were recognized as Energy Saver Plants for 2009.

Manchin said he applauds their efforts and encourages other West Virginia companies to follow their lead.

“The first step toward energy independence is better energy efficiency, and I appreciate the commitment that our industries are making toward that,” Manchin said. “These investments will help our companies remain competitive, retain their employment base while reducing their environmental impact. These companies have set a good example for all of our industries and I’m pleased the U.S. Department of Energy has recognized their accomplishments.”

Morgantown entrepreneur names SBA's 2009 Minority Small Business Person of the Year

MORGANTOWN – Kathy Clinton, president and owner of Performance Results Corporation (PRC), headquartered in Morgantown, has been recognized as West Virginia’s 2009 Minority Small Business Person of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) at the 2009 Mid-Atlantic SBIR/STTR Conference on Dec. 1.

“The presentation of this prestigious award affords us the opportunity to recognize the hard work and dedication of not only an outstanding entrepreneur, but the minority small business community as well,” said SBA West Virginia District Director Judy K. McCauley. “PRC, a SBA 8(a) certified, small disadvantaged business, has accomplished tremendous business growth as a participant in the 8(a) program, which is a direct reflection on the entrepreneurial abilities of Kathy Clinton. I am honored to recognize her as the 2009 West Virginia Minority Small Business Person of the Year.”

Clinton received the award in conjunction with SBA’s 27th annual Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week program. MED Week commemoration activities are designed to recognize outstanding owners of minority small businesses for their individual achievements and contributions to our nation’s economy. The event is a collaborative partnership between the SBA and the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency and has been proclaimed by the President of the United States since 1982.

“I very much appreciate receiving this award from the SBA, which supported me in starting up my business in 2000,” said Clinton. “Being selected as the Minority Small Business Person of the Year reflects not only on the success of PRC but also on the exceptional efforts of PRC’s employees who made this success possible.”

PRC, which began as a small business with three employees in April of 2000, has grown to more than 190 employees working in sixteen cities across thirteen states, with nearly $15 million in revenue in 2008. The company is expected to earn approximately $19 million in revenue for 2009. PRC provides support services and solutions to corporate and government clients in the areas of: facilities, strategic planning and management, administrative support, project management, technical and engineering services, and information technology. The company has a reputation for providing quality services to its customers who include the U.S. Department of Energy, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and the U.S. Army. PRC also serves in a subcontracting role to a number of large businesses, which include Lockheed Martin, Battelle, URS, and Booz Allen Hamilton.

Governor to host 2009 West Virginia Energy Summit Dec. 8

CHARLESTON - Gov. Joe Manchin, the West Virginia Department of Commerce, along with the Southern States Energy Board will host the 2009 West Virginia Energy Summit, which will be held at the Stonewall Resort on Tuesday, Dec. 8, beginning at 8 a.m.

The theme for this year’s conference is “West Virginia’s Commitment to Energy Security.”

The daylong summit will feature various speakers and representatives from academia, business, technology, research and leaders of the state’s energy industry. The summit brings together stakeholders to discuss how West Virginia will continue to play an important role in the country’s energy future. 

For information on how to register for the summit, please contact: Jeff Herholdt, West Virginia Division of Energy, 304-558-2234.