Construction Resumes at International Coal Group's Tygart No. 1 Complex

    SCOTT DEPOT  -- International Coal Group, Inc. has announced that construction has resumed at its ICG Tygart Valley subsidiary's Tygart No. 1 deep mine complex in Taylor County, near Grafton, West Virginia.

    The Tygart No. 1 project received all essential federal and state approvals, but challenges lodged by a local anti-mining organization caused work on the project to be suspended in late 2008. Those challenges were overruled in March by the West Virginia Surface Mine Board.

    "We had planned to resume construction in mid-2011, but the strong market demand for Tygart No.1's metallurgical coal product, and growing evidence of improving thermal coal pricing, led us to accelerate the project," said Ben Hatfield, ICG's CEO and President. "The construction and development timeline anticipates initial coal production in late 2011 and longwall startup in early 2014."

    The company expects to finance the Tygart No. 1 mine construction through operating cash flow. Development capital requirements are estimated at $325 million, including $18 million spent prior to 2010. As a result of resuming construction at Tygart No.1, the Company now expects 2010 capital expenditures to increase by $15.0 million to a range of $105.0 million to $115.0 million.

    At full output, the Tygart No. 1 mine is expected to produce 3.5 million tons per year of premium high-volatile metallurgical and high-quality thermal coal. The mine complex is projected to create over 300 direct jobs in the Taylor County, West Virginia area.

    ICG is a leading producer of coal in Northern and Central Appalachia and the Illinois Basin. The Company has 13 active mining complexes, of which 12 are located in Northern and Central Appalachia and one in Central Illinois. ICG's mining operations and reserves are strategically located to serve utility, metallurgical and industrial customers domestically and internationally.

CONSOL Energy and Verdeo Group to Develop First Large Coal Mine Ventilation Air Methane Abatement Project in West Virginia

    PITTSBURGH  -- CONSOL Energy Inc. has joined with Verdeo Group, Inc., to develop the first project to destroy ventilation air methane ("VAM") emissions at an active West Virginia coal mine.

    The project, which will be located at CONSOL's McElroy Mine near Glen Easton in Marshall County, will demonstrate significant reductions of emissions of methane -- a potent greenhouse gas ("GHG") -- in a safe and proven manner, and without any impact on mine operations or production. It will be the first time the technology will be deployed at an active coal mine in West Virginia, and among the largest such projects of its kind in the U.S. to date.

    "Companies will require a wide range of tools and incentives to effectively reduce GHG emissions," said Steve Winberg, CONSOL's Vice President of Research and Development. "CONSOL Energy has committed to utilize as much of its coal mine methane resources as possible. This project will allow us to abate a dilute source of methane that has no commercial value and would otherwise be vented into the atmosphere."

    Methane gas is inherent in coal seams and is liberated during the mining process. Coal mines control underground methane emissions through the use of ventilation systems, which circulate large quantities of fresh air through the mine to dilute the methane, and then exhaust the VAM to the surface of the mine and to the atmosphere. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, VAM represents the largest source of GHG emissions from U.S. coal mines.

    The project will utilize regenerative thermal oxidation ("RTO") technology to destroy the GHG emissions from the McElroy Mine. RTO technology has been successfully deployed in industrial process applications for many decades and this project will test the ability to use the equipment at a commercial scale in the mining sector. To date, several technology installations have been employed in the U.S. at facilities, including a coal mine, that fall under the jurisdiction of the Mine Safety and Health Administration.

    "This project is a stepping stone to utilizing this commercially available equipment on our other mines, reducing our overall methane emissions and potentially creating carbon offset credits," Winberg added.

    As a result of the emergence of trading markets for GHG emission reductions, voluntary initiatives like the McElroy VAM project can generate revenue from the sale of carbon offset credits. The value of these credits enables mine operators such as CONSOL to secure capital from companies like Verdeo to pay for the RTO technology. The carbon offset credits generated from the VAM oxidation project at the McElroy Mine will be registered with the Climate Action Reserve, a leading pre-compliance certification program in the U.S. that approved a protocol for coal mine methane projects in 2009.

    Development efforts between CONSOL and Verdeo are actively underway. The project is expected to become operational in the second quarter of 2011.

    For more information about CONSOL, visit www.consolenergy.com .

Governor Recognizes State's Top Export Businesses

    CHARLESTON – Gov. Joe Manchin recently presented the Governor’s Commendation for International Market Entry to representatives of 36 West Virginia businesses. The award honors companies that have successfully exported to a new country in the past year.

    “International trade and investment help to create and retain jobs in West Virginia,” said Gov. Manchin. “I thank our exporting companies for their efforts and congratulate them on their success in proving West Virginia has the quality of goods, services and workers to compete successfully in the global market.”

    In 2009, West Virginia exports amounted to $4.8 billion. The top export product sectors included coal, plastics, machinery and chemicals.

    The governor’s award is based on the tradition of displaying the first dollar a business earns. The Governor’s Commendation for International Market Entry frames currency from each new country to which the recipient business began exporting in 2009.

    Commendations were handed out to:

Berkeley County
- DSI Underground Systems, Inc. of Martinsburg; Austria, Russia
- Power-Sonix, Inc. of Martinsburg; Brazil, Jordan

Braxton County
- GTR Labs, Inc. of Gassaway; Vietnam, Bolivia, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Yemen, Chile, India, Australia, Portugal

Cabell County
- Guyan International of Barboursville; Chile, Argentina, Kenya, Uruguay
- Rubberlite, Inc. of Huntington; Malaysia, Italy
- Star Technologies, LLC of Huntington; Sweden, France

Fayette County
- Blue Smoke Salsa of Ansted; Bermuda
- The Robbins Company of Oak Hill; Dominican Republic, Malaysia, Mexico

Grant County
- Allegheny Wood Products of Petersburg; Hong Kong, Ireland

Hancock County
- United States Gypsum Company of Weirton; Greece

Harrison County
- MSES Consultants, Inc. – Corrosion Products Division of Clarksburg; Canada, Mexico, Colombia, United Kingdom, Hong Kong

Jackson County
- J&M Industrial, Inc. of Millwood; Panama, Guyana, Russia, Lithuania

Jefferson County
- Schonstedt Instrument Company, Inc. of Kearneysville; Brazil, Portugal, Turkmenistan

Kanawha County
- ConveyWeigh, LLC of South Charleston; Ecuador, El Salvador, Panama
- Cyclops Industries, Inc. of South Charleston; Singapore, Argentina, The Netherlands
- ICL-IP Clearon Corp. of South Charleston; India
- Preiser Scientific, Inc. of Saint Albans; Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru

Logan County
- Eastern Mining & Industrial Supply, Inc. of Chapmanville; Australia, China
- Ludowici Innovative, Inc. of Chapmanville; Australia

Marion County
- Backbone Security of Fairmont; Bangladesh, China, Indonesia, Pakistan, Poland, Serbia, Spain, United Arab Emirates
- Middletown Manufacturing, Inc. of Fairmont; Malaysia, Germany, Saudi Arabia, China
- T&T Pump Company, Inc. of Fairmont; China, Hong Kong, Colombia

Marshall County
- IMI-Fabi, LLC of Benwood; Russia, India

Mason County
- ICL-IP America, Inc. of Gallipolis Ferry; Qatar

Mineral County
- Howell Automotive of Keyser; Ghana, Malawi

Monongalia County
- Shaft Drillers International of Morgantown; Brazil

Morgan County
- Pritchard Amps of Berkeley Springs; Australia, France

Ohio County
- Touchstone Research Laboratory, Ltd of Triadelphia; Japan, Czech Republic, Brazil, United Arab Emirates

Putnam County
- Clark International Logistics of Poca; Paraguay, Colombia, China, The Netherlands, Ecuador, Lebanon, Cameroon, Turkey, Bolivia, Peru, Tanzania, Philippines, Guyana, Bahamas
- Eagle Research Corporation of Scott Depot; Vietnam

Raleigh County
- The Gentlemen’s Quarter of Beckley; Brazil, India, Italy, New Zealand, Portugal, Russia, Spain
- Mining Controls of Beckley; Austria, Canada, Mexico, Colombia, Latvia, Indonesia, Australia, Ireland, Germany, Madagascar, Chile, Peru, Israel, United Kingdom, Ukraine, Brunei, Zambia, Ethiopia

Upshur County
- AFP Logs and Lumber, LLC of Buckhannon; Hong Kong, Portugal, South Korea

Wood County
- Batteries Direct of Parkersburg; Italy, Argentina, Hong Kong
- Kreinik Manufacturing Company of Parkersburg; Venezuela, Singapore, Russia, Czech Republic
- Rolling Ridge Woods, LLC; Japan

May Open for Business Report released

    CHARLESTON – Gov. Joe Manchin has released the latest "Open for Business" report documenting the state’s economic progress. The May 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.

Nippon Tungsten USA celebrates grand opening in Cabell County
Nippon Tungsten USA Inc. held its grand opening on April 21. For parent company Nippon Tungsten, the new facility marks its first in North America and its first wholly owned subsidiary outside of Japan. Speakers included Gov. Joe Manchin and Shozo Yoshida, president of Nippon Tungsten Co., who, with several corporate executives, had traveled from Japan for the ceremony.
The high-tech specialized machine shop will resharpen blades manufactured by Nippon Tungsten’s equipment in Japan. Because the work is highly technical, the company will start with experienced technicians from Japan, then phase in local employees. Nippon Tungsten USA will create six jobs initially.

New business creates three jobs in Greenbrier County
Smooth Ambler Spirits opened in April in Maxwelton, creating three jobs. The artisan distillery will produce approximately 1,200 bottles a week of vodka, gin and bourbon. The firm plans to gradually expand its business by building special orders throughout the region. Smooth Ambler does not serve drinks, but offers product samples and sells by the bottle.

West Virginia profiled in May 2010 US Airways in-flight publication
West Virginia is featured in the US Airways in-flight magazine’s May 2010 issue. The 11-page special "Outlook" section spotlights such topics as West Virginia’s attractions, heritage and travel and relocation information. The publication reaches an estimated 3.1 million affluent business and leisure travelers who fly the airline to reach more than 230 destinations in 32 countries. The special "Outlook" section can be viewed online atwww.wvcommerce.org/usair.

Film Credit Development Committee approves more than $861,500 in tax credits
During the first quarter of 2010, the Film Credit Development Committee authorized the West Virginia Film Office to issue tax credits totaling more than $861,562 to participants in the West Virginia Film Industry Investment Act. This represents an increase of more than 800 percent compared to the amount of credits issued during calendar year 2009. Following the conclusion of filming, tax credits were issued to GCM Productions Inc. of Glendale, Calif.; My Tupelo Entertainment LLC of New York, N.Y.; and Image Associates of Charleston, W.Va., based on qualified, in-state expenditures totaling $2,828,856. Combined, these productions hired more than 85 full- and part-time West Virginia skilled laborers and hired more than a dozen talents. They also used numerous West Virginia companies for services such as heavy equipment rentals; construction; camera, audio and lighting equipment purchases and rentals; electric and other utilities; transportation rentals; catering; lodging; security personnel; and more.

West Virginia Film Office wins two awards at industry exhibitionThe West Virginia Film Office exhibited at the 25th annual Locations Trade Show in Santa Monica, Calif., April 15-17, hosted by the Association of Film Commissioners International. As part of AFCI's Marketing & Booth Awards, which recognize best-in-show marketing and advertising campaigns, the Film Office received two awards: second place for "Most Creative" and second place for "Digital Advertising." More than 260 companies participated, including more than 100 film commissions from around the world. The trade show attracts thousands of decision-makers from the film and television industries. In addition to promoting locations, the office markets West Virginia's tax and financial incentives to generate leads for recruiting new business into the state. More information about the trade show can be found at www.locationstradeshow.com.

Raleigh County consultant says "I do" to role as stylist for bridal TV show
Monty Durham, bridal consultant and owner of Salon M at the Glade Springs Resort, has been hired as the fashion stylist for the TLC reality show, "Say Yes to the Dress – Atlanta." He advises brides on hair, make-up and etiquette on the show. The show is a spin-off of the popular TLC show "Say Yes to the Dress" taped in New York. "Say Yes to the Dress – Atlanta" will begin airing in July.

Tourism meets with CVBs, businesses, in series of Roundtables across the state
Tourism Division personnel coordinated a series of Regional Roundtables hosted by the Convention and Visitors Bureaus (CVBs) in each of West Virginia’s nine tourism regions during March and April. The Small Business Development Center also participated in each of the events. The Roundtables provided an opportunity for the Tourism staff to meet face-to-face with industry members and provide information about available resources, answer questions and obtain industry feedback. A total of 211 participants attended the sessions. Roundtable topics included Tourism’s Matching Advertising Partnership Program (MAPP), targeted marketing, customer service centers, Film Office, group tours and small business development.

Two Marshall University business students to present ideas to top U.S. economists and policy makers

    HUNTINGTON – Two students taking an economics class in the Marshall University Lewis College of Business have been selected to be among 12 finalists who will present their ideas to a panel of top U.S. economists and policy makers during the National Economics Insider Symposium this summer.

    While taking Principles of Microeconomics, Natalie J. Faulk, a senior education student from Hartford, W.Va., and Jerica D. Hall, a sophomore management major from Hurricane, W.Va., wrote winning papers for the competition. They will travel to Washington, D.C., June 11-12 to make their presentations to a Nobel Prize winner in economics, a White House economic adviser, and a member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, among others.

    Economics and finance adjunct professor Ralph E. McKinney Jr., nominated the students.

    “Marshall University is fortunate to have two of 12 finalists for this honor. This speaks highly of our commitment to research and education,” McKinney said.

    Contestants could submit essays on one of the following economic issues: health care; the environment; education; housing; technology; or other economic issues needing to be addressed. Faulk wrote about Cap and Trade. Hall wrote about the effect of oil and gas costs on shipping costs. They will be competing for a top prize at the event.

    While in Washington, finalists will present to Ben Bernanke, chairmen and member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; Paul R. Krugman, winner of the 2008 Nobel Prize in Economics; Olivier Blanchard, Economic Counselor and Director of Research Department of the International Monetary Fund; R. Glenn Hubbard, former Chairman of the White House Council of Economic Advisors; Karl E. Case, the Katherine Coman and A. Barton Hepburn Professor of Economics at Wellesley College; Frederic S. Mishkin, former Board of Governors member of the Federal Reserve; as well as the following research associates from the National Bureau of Economic Research: Daron Acemoglu (Massachusetts Institute of Technology); David I. Laibson (Harvard University); and John List (University of Chicago).

    Students will also tour the Federal Reserve and the White House.

    The National Economics Insider Symposium is an exclusive event sponsored by Pearson Higher Education, a publishing company that offers textbooks under the brands Addison-Wesley, Allyn & Bacon, Benjamin Cummings, Longman, Merrill and Prentice Hall.