FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dec. 8, 2009
CONTACT:
Sara Payne Scarbro, (304) 558-3848
Catherine Zacchi, (304) 558-2003
Governor Releases December 'Open for Business' Report
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Gov. Joe Manchin today released the latest "Open for Business" report documenting the state's economic progress. The December 2009 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.
Boy Scouts choose Fayette County for national jamboree and adventure camp
West Virginia to appear in special section of Forbes investment issue
Charleston customer call center adds 240 new jobs
New $13.9 million testing lab expected to create 88 jobs in Monongalia County
Lockheed Martin adds 20 jobs in Harrison County
Supercomputing firm brings high-tech opportunities to Wheeling
West Virginia part of winning team to support NETL energy research
Morgantown firm part of team that wins five-year, $95 million contract
WVU on team that wins contract for energy sector work
West Virginia manufacturer and state agency win President’s Export Award
Portec Rail Products on Forbes list of 200 Best Small Companies
Morgantown protein technology firm receives $1.7 million financing
International firms learn about West Virginia’s aerospace industry
WVEDA approves bonds for Berkeley County firm, loan for Putnam County business
Main Street Fairmont in competition for Great American Main Street Awards
Charleston West Side Main Street receives funding for community improvements
Boy Scouts choose Fayette County for national jamboree and adventure camp
Fayette County has been selected as the permanent home of The Boy Scouts of America’s national jamboree. Held once every four years, the 10-day event typically attracts more than 200,000 visitors. The decision to permanently base the jamboree in West Virginia follows the organization’s announcement earlier this summer to build its fourth high-adventure summer camp in Fayette County. The S.D. Bechtel Jr. Foundation has donated $50 million toward the estimated $300 million project to develop a 10,600 acre tract between Glen Jean, Price and Mount Hope. Construction on The Summit: Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve is scheduled to start in 2010 and be completed in time for the 2013 jamboree. When completed, the facility is expected to create 80 full-time and 1,200 seasonal jobs.
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West Virginia to appear in special section of Forbes investment issue
West Virginia will be featured in a special advertising section in Forbes magazine's popular year-end investor guide on Dec. 14. The eight-page advertising section will reach 5.5 million Forbes readers. The special section will highlight the state's business climate, including pro-growth tax reforms, leadership in key growth clusters such as energy and biometrics, educational institutions and quality of life.
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Charleston customer call center adds 240 new jobs
TRG Customer Solutions intends to fill 240 jobs by the end of the year to provide assistance to customers with computer problems. The hirings are the result of a new three-year customer contract TRG recently won. The positions for the inbound call center include supervisors, trainers and quality assurance representatives.
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New $13.9 million testing lab expected to create 88 jobs in Monongalia County
The National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) has received $13.9 million in stimulus funds to build a new testing facility in Morgantown. When completed in 2013, the new Performance Verification Laboratory is expected to create 88 jobs such as technicians and analysts. The 35,000-square-foot facility will test a broad range of residential and commercial appliances and equipment to verify manufacturers are in compliance with energy efficiency standards established by the Department of Energy. Sen. Jay Rockefeller made the announcement for NETL.
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Lockheed Martin adds 20 jobs in Harrison County
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics in Clarksburg expanded its work force with the addition of 20 jobs, primarily in production and assembly. The facility in Clarksburg produces subassemblies for C-130 aircraft.
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Supercomputing firm brings high-tech opportunities to Wheeling
West Virginia Smart Sensor Supercomputing Center held its official opening in Wheeling on Nov. 19. The center is a joint venture between TTi Technologies, which provides secure cyber security solutions in Wheeling, and California-based Vista Research. The new center will develop low-cost smart sensor technology used to accurately interpret data collected by detection sensors for military and border security. Currently, the Smart Sensor Supercomputing Center has seven employees and expects to ultimately introduce 45 high-tech development, cyber security, and computing jobs. The center’s $10 million funding was secured by West Virginia’s Sen. Robert C. Byrd as part of the Department of Defense Appropriations Bill for fiscal 2010.
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West Virginia part of winning team to support NETL energy researchA team led by URS Corporation has been awarded a contract by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) to provide energy research and engineering services. The two-year contract has options to extend it for an additional three years and is valued up to $322 million. The URS-led team will provide personnel, facilities, equipment, materials, supplies and services to support NETL on the development and implementation of basic and applied fossil energy research. The contract team includes URS’ Washington Division; Midwest Research Institute; and a consortium of regional universities including West Virginia University, Carnegie Mellon University, University of Pittsburgh, Virginia Tech, and Pennsylvania State University. Subcontractors contributing to the project include South Charleston-based MATRIC (Mid-Atlantic Technology, Research and Innovation Center).
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Morgantown firm part of team that wins five-year, $95 million contract
KeyLogic Systems leads a team that was recently awarded a contract from the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) for project execution and integration. The KeyLogic team will support NETL’s work in managing and reviewing the more than 1,800 projects currently awarded to in-house researchers and outside vendors. The five-year contract is valued at $95 million. The KeyLogic team consists of Deloitte Consulting LLP, URS Washington Division, Project Masters, LAD Studio and The Iridium Group LLC. The team is supported by a consortium of universities including West Virginia University, Carnegie Mellon University, University of Pittsburgh, Virginia Tech, Pennsylvania State University and Spelman College.
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WVU on team that wins contract for energy sector work
A team led by Booz Allen Hamilton has been awarded a prime contract from the U.S. Department of Energy's National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) for strategic energy sector planning and analysis. The contract is valued at $98 million over a five-year period. The team will conduct energy sector analysis and planning for NETL, including engineering analysis, research and development benefit analysis and impact assessment services. The Booz Allen Hamilton team consists of Midwest Research Institute, Technology & Management Services, Inc. and WorleyParsons Group, Inc. The team is supported by a consortium of universities including West Virginia University, Carnegie Mellon University, University of Pittsburgh, Virginia Tech and Pennsylvania State University.
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West Virginia manufacturer and state agency win President’s Export Award
Kanawha Scales & Systems in Putnam County and the West Virginia Development Office (WVDO) were each recently honored as recipients of the President’s “E” Award. The “E” Award is the highest U.S. government recognition any U.S. entity may receive for supporting export activity. Established in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy, the Presidential “E” Award program is managed by the International Trade Administration.
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Portec Rail Products on Forbes list of 200 Best Small Companies
Forbes magazine has named Portec Rail Products among its 200 Best Small Companies. Portec manufactures and distributes a broad range of railroad products and operates a manufacturing and assembly plant in Huntington.
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Morgantown protein technology firm receives $1.7 million financing
Protea Biosciences has closed on a $1.7 million equity and debt financing from West Virginia Jobs Investment Trust. The biotech firm will use the funds to continue developing protein biomarker technology to identify disease-specific proteins. The firm expects to bring the technology to market in 2010. Protea employs a staff of 30.
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International firms learn about West Virginia’s aerospace industry
In October, executives from Japan, Italy and Portugal visited the Robert C. Byrd National Aerospace Education Center in Bridgeport to learn about West Virginia’s aerospace capabilities. Representatives from 13 companies were welcomed by Gov. Joe Manchin and heard presentations from Mid-Atlantic Aerospace Complex, Aurora Flight Sciences, Bombardier, Lockheed Martin, FMW Composite, Robert C. Byrd Institute and Robert C. Byrd National Aerospace Education Center. The executives toured the National Aerospace Education Center and Pratt Whitney Engine Services. The event resulted from joint efforts by the Discover the Real West Virginia Foundation, the West Virginia Development Office and the Mid-Atlantic Aerospace Complex.
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WVEDA approves bonds for Berkeley County firm, loan for Putnam County business
During its November meeting, West Virginia Economic Development Authority (WVEDA) authorized $1.2 million in bonds to allow Aviation Solutions to purchase a building located at the Eastern West Virginia Regional Airport and formerly occupied by Tiger Aircraft. Based in Martinsburg, Aviation Solutions will specialize in aircraft storage, inspection, maintenance, repairs and repainting. Aviation Solutions plans to hire five to 10 employees initially and hopes to expand to as many as 300 employees in five years. WVEDA also approved a loan for a business to expand its plant in Putnam County:
Diamond Electric Manufacturing Corp, $3 million, to purchase and install new production equipment at its facility. Based in Eleanor, Diamond produces automotive parts.
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Main Street Fairmont in competition for Great American Main Street Awards
Main Street Fairmont has been selected as one of 10 semi-finalists for the Great American Main Street Awards (GAMSA). The results will be announced in May 2010 at the National Main Streets Annual Conference in Oklahoma City. The National Trust Main Street Center’s annual GAMSA winners are recognized for their exceptional accomplishments in revitalizing the nation’s historic and traditional Main Street commercial districts.
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Charleston West Side Main Street receives funding for community improvements
Charleston West Side Main Street received a $525,000 economic stimulus grant to begin Phase I of the master streetscape plan for Washington Street West. The first phase will replace sidewalks, install crosswalks compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act and make other improvements. West Side Main Street has also received a $10,000 grant from the Sustainable Kanawha Valley Initiative to develop a piece of public art on the West Side and a $20,000 Community Participation Grant from the Legislature for façade renovations on the West Side.
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