CHARLESTON — Gov. Joe Manchin has released the latest “Open for Business” report documenting the state’s economic progress. The April 2010 report highlights projects and related announcements from businesses both large and small that will assist with the creation of new jobs and the preservation of existing jobs.
New mineral wool plant to create up to 45 jobs in Jackson County
Armstrong World Industries has announced plans to invest $30-$35 million to build a mineral wool plant next to the former Century Aluminum Co. facility in the Jackson County Maritime and Industrial Centre in Millwood. When operational in mid-2012, the new 30,000-square-foot plant is expected to create up to 45 new jobs. Armstrong said competitive electricity rates and proximity to railroads and the Ohio River were factors that went into its selection of Millwood. Mineral wool is a raw material in the manufacture of Armstrong’s acoustical ceiling tiles. Armstrong World Industries manufactures floors, ceilings and cabinets. The company’s flooring plant in Randolph County employs nearly 700.
GST holds April 1 open house for new Innovation Lab in Marion County
The new Innovation Lab (iLab) established by Global Science & Technology (GST) opened on April 1 in the Alan B. Mollohan Innovation Center, I-79 High Technology Park, Fairmont. The iLab provides innovators with desk space, wireless network and access to experts. The focus is on projects that can produce commercial offerings in one of four areas: social and new media networks; mobile observation platforms; personalized content production; and collaborative business structures. The April 1 open house included demonstrations of innovation campaigns such as the Mobile Platform Environmental Data (MoPED) System funded by the National Weather Service; Real-time Environmental Data for Decreasing Unfavorable Concentration of Emissions (REDDUCE); and Med Wall, which provides radiologists with low-cost methods for viewing multiple images for increased collaboration and more informed diagnostics. GST has built a highly specialized work force that includes experts in key domains of engineering, science, communications and information technology. For more information, visit the GST iLab Web site ilab.gst.com.
Marion County firm fills 25 positions, recruiting for 20 more, for NOAA project
Diversified Global Partners (DGP) has filled 25 new positions and plans to recruit 20 more to support its project with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). A joint venture firm, DGP consists of Global Science & Technology (GST) and DB Consulting Group. The partnership was created to support the NOAA-CLASS contract, valued at $200 million over the potential nine-year period of performance. Of the 25 hired so far, 16 now work at the GST facility in Fairmont. Out of that number, seven are working for GST, six for DB Consulting Group, and three for the major subcontractor Computer Science Corporation. The new staff will be added to the more than 40 people who have been supporting the NOAA/CLASS contract in Fairmont since 2000. The CLASS program supports the mission of NOAA’s Satellite and Information Service to archive and disseminate environmental data.
West Virginia small businesses receive SBA honors
Several West Virginia small business owners have been singled out as 2010 award winners by the U.S. Small Business Administration, West Virginia District Office. All the winners will be honored May 13 in Beckley by the SBA. Craig Hartzell, president of Azimuth in Morgantown, has been named Small Business Person of the Year. Jalon Petre, president of Renick Millworks in Renick, was selected as SBA Young Entrepreneur. C. Thomas & Rosemary Grant of First Choice Bookkeeping, Huntington, were designated Financial Services Champion. Diane Lewis, president of Action Facilities Management, Morgantown, was honored as Minority Small Business Champion. Kara Gray, New Horizon Consulting, was selected as Women in Business Champion.
West Virginia launches E3-WV technical assistance program for businesses
West Virginia recently introduced E3-WV, a technical assistance program to help small businesses and manufacturers improve their economic, energy and environmental performance. Three organizations headquartered at West Virginia University will work together to carry out the project. The Industries of the Future-West Virginia and the Industrial Assessment Center will provide energy assessments for industrial and commercial businesses, helping businesses to cut costs and identify energy efficiency opportunities. The West Virginia Manufacturing Extension Partnership will deliver environmental and carbon management services to industry, documenting their operations’ impact on the environment, as well as review manufacturing processes for energy and material savings.
WVEDA approves $800,000 for business loan
The West Virginia Economic Development Authority (WVEDA) approved a loan totaling $800,000 for a Hardy County company during its March meeting:
Grant County Mulch (GCM), $800,000, to establish a firewood production facility in the town of Baker. The company anticipates creating up to 42 jobs over three years. GCM produces and sells bulk and bagged mulch, wood chips, color enhanced mulch, potting soil, pine nuggets, composted leaf humus and stone.In other action, WVEDA will allocate up to $53.1 million in federal stimulus bonding authority to counties. The bond authorization legislation is known as the Recovery Zone Economic Development Bond program. County commissions have been notified that the funds are available for reallocation. The deadline for counties to apply is April 1. The deadline to issue bonds is Dec. 31.
Cost of doing business in West Virginia third lowest in U.S., Moody’s reports
The 2009 Moody’s North American Business Cost Review noted that West Virginia has the nation’s third-lowest cost of doing business. Among the factors contributing to West Virginia’s strong showing were its competitive wage rates, ranked 14th best in the nation; and its low energy costs, the second lowest in the country.
WVU research cited in ARRA Report
Research under way at West Virginia University is among the projects spotlighted as examples of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) at work one year after stimulus program’s launch. ARRA is helping the College of Engineering and Mineral Industries to research better ways to rebuild the nation’s infrastructure while reducing carbon emissions and increasing West Virginia jobs. WVU’s work is among the success stories recounted in the report “American Recovery and Reinvestment Act One Year Later: Recovery Act-Funded Research Advancing Science, Aiding the Economy and Contributing to America’s Prosperous Future.” The report was produced by the coalition group ScienceWorksForUS.
Charleston rates among top five housing markets ripe for recovery
Charleston, W.Va., holds fifth place among U.S. housing markets ready for recovery, real estate expert Barbara Corcoran recently reported on NBC’s Today Show. Charleston earned its spot on the list with a low foreclosure rate, relatively low unemployment and a median home price of only $121,000.
West Virginia Development Office participates in industry exhibitions
The West Virginia Development Office (WVDO) recently exhibited at the 30th anniversary Data Center World exhibition and conference, held in Nashville, Tenn. The conference attracts attendees in data center system infrastructure, operations and maintenance, security and processing. WVDO also participated in the 31st Annual WV Construction & Design Exposition in Charleston. The event attracts companies in construction, engineering and architectural industries from across the state.
Rebuilt Welcome Center in Monongahela County hosts April 2 grand opening
Hospitality is now being dispensed from the newly-constructed I-79 Morgantown Welcome Center. The new center’s grand opening is April 2 at 1 p.m. The four tourism travel counselors had been operating from a temporary facility since 2008. In 2007, the center received 387,599 visitors.
Hospitality Cup winners to represent West Virginia in nationals
Winners were recently selected for the West Virginia Hospitality Education and Training (WV HEAT) ProStart Hospitality Cup Competition. Buckhannon-Upshur High School ranked first in management. Greenbrier East High School captured top honors in the culinary competition. The winning teams will now represent West Virginia in the culinary and management events at the National ProStart Invitational in Kansas in April.
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