FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 2, 2010
CONTACT:
Sara Payne Scarbro, (304) 558-3848
Catherine Zacchi, (304) 558-2003
Governor Releases February '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 February 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.
West Virginia to receive $6 million grant to train 1,800 for clean energy jobs
Management firm opens office in Kanawha County
Jefferson County’s “green” paperboard company celebrates 140th anniversary
Morgantown ranks #2 on list of “Best Cities for Jobs”
West Virginia schools get good marks in education report
WVEDA approves $522,000 for business loan
West Virginia to receive $6 million grant to train 1,800 for clean energy jobs
West Virginia will receive $6 million in federal economic stimulus funds to train 1,853 people for “green” jobs. WorkForce West Virginia will use the funds to work with educational and training providers to provide training and professional development. The program is expected to help 1,672 West Virginians find employment in “green” enterprises, including wind energy, bio-power industries and water and sewer plants.
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Management firm opens office in Kanawha County
New York-based RGZ Solutions has opened an office in the Charleston Area Alliance Business Incubator. The consulting firm offers services in complex project management in information technology; computer security assessments and audits; implement large financial and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems (SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics); and governance risk and compliance work.
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Jefferson County’s “green” paperboard company celebrates 140th anniversary
Having survived the Civil War, the Great Depression, two world wars, and several changes in ownership, the Halltown paperboard manufacturer in Jefferson County marks 140 years of making paper in West Virginia. The Ox Paperboard Co. recycles waste paper from various sources into pulp to make new products. The plant is focusing on recycling local paper products. The company also recycles water used in the papermaking process. Ox Paperboard’s plans for the future call for a nearly $1.5 million capital investment at the facility.
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Morgantown ranks #2 on list of “Best Cities for Jobs”
Morgantown in Monongalia County ranks second among 19 U.S. cities that show job growth of 1 percent or more from July-October 2009, according to a report by CareerBuilder.com. Heading the list with 2.7 percent employment growth was Merced, Calif., followed by Morgantown at 2.4 percent.
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West Virginia schools get good marks in education report
West Virginia’s educational system received a B- in Education Week’s Quality County 2010 report. The national average score was a C. West Virginia was the first in the nation to receive an A in “Standards, Assessments and Accountability.” The state ranked seventh in the nation with a B- in “Teaching Profession.” West Virginia scored a C- in “Chances for Success,” a category based on 13 factors including family income, parents’ level of education and high school graduation rates.
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WVEDA approves $522,000 for business loan
The West Virginia Economic Development Authority (WVEDA) approved a $522,000 loan during its January meeting: - Randox Laboratories, $522,000, to finance a building in Kearneysville, Jefferson County. Based in the United Kingdom, Randox produces diagnostic reagents and systems. Also during its January meeting, WVEDA approved allocations for the following projects to facilitate the issuance of tax exempt bonds under the guidance of federal tax rules. - $45,172,875 for Longview Power, Morgantown, a new 695-megawatt electrical power generating plant under construction - $30 million for American Clean Energy LLC, located at the Harless Wood Products Industrial Park, Mingo County, a new 28-megawatt wood-fired electricity generation plant.
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