|
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin today released the latest “Open for Business” report documenting the state’s economic progress. The February 2011 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.
DuPont expects to hire 150 to replace retiring workers in coming years
DuPont Belle plans to hire an approximately 150 new employees to fill vacancies as current employees retire during the next four to five years. The company estimates it will need to hire 50 to 75 workers in 2011 and similar numbers for the following year. Plans will be affected by the number current employees who actually retire. The vacancies are expected to be in positions typical for a chemical plant, including operators, engineers, mechanics and pipe fitters.
Energy firm announces processing plant, service agreement for Marcellus Shale
MarkWest Liberty Midstream & Resources announced plans to build a midstream natural gas processing complex in Logansport, Marion County. MarkWest Liberty Midstream is a partnership between MarkWest Energy Partners and The Energy & Minerals Group. The 120-million-cubic-feet-per-day processing facility is expected to be completed by mid-2012. The plant will service EQT Corporation, which has substantial acreage in Marcellus Shale in northern West Virginia.
MarkWest also announced a long-term agreement with affiliates of Chesapeake Energy Corporation to provide midstream services for Marcellus Shale. The services will be provided through MarkWest’s processing complex in Majorsville, Marshall County.
Energy firm plans to build gas processing plant in Marshall County
Dominion Transmission announced plans to build a plant to process and separate natural gas liquids from small producers who have tapped the Marcellus Shale deposit. The processing plant will be constructed in Natrium on a 56-acre site currently owned by PPG Industries. The site is strategically close to existing Dominion facilities, as well as rail, pipeline and barge services. The new plant is in the planning process now. The Marcellus Shale formation is considered one of the world’s leading reservoirs of recoverable natural gas.
West Virginia prepares to host Boy Scouts World Jamboree in 2019
West Virginia will host the 2019 World Scout Jamboree, the first time in more than 40 years that the event has been held in the United States. The global Scouting jamboree will be held at The Summit: Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve in Fayette County. The 10,600-acre Summit Reserve has been designated as a Boy Scouts of America’s national high-adventure base and permanent home for national Scout jamborees. The site is currently under construction in preparation for the national event in 2013. The World Jamboree is expected to draw more than 35,000 Scouts from up to 220 countries and territories around the globe. The bid to secure the World Scout Jamboree began two years ago and was a joint effort among three Scout organizations: the BSA, Scouts Canada, and Asociación de Scouts de Mexico. The World Jamboree is held every four years. The 2011 jamboree will be in Sweden. The 2015 jamboree will be in Japan.
Wirt County manufacturer on winning team for Air Force contract
Mustang Survival Corporation was on the team recently awarded the U.S. Air Force contract for Integrated Aircrew Ensemble. The goal of the multimillion dollar program is to outfit aircraft duty stations with integrated modular aviation systems that include life preservers, survival vests and other garments to protect crews from hazardous environments. Mustang Survival produces aerospace and marine safety and survival equipment. The company’s West Virginia manufacturing facilities are in Elizabeth and in Spencer, W.Va. Mustang’s partners in the contract include TIAX, Mass.; and RFD Beauford, United Kingdom.
Wetzel County’s Marble King receives “Made in U.S.A.” certification
Marble King has been awarded “Made in the U.S.A.” certification by Made in USA Certified Inc. The requirements to earn the “Made in the U.S.A.” label exceed those of the U.S. government and the Federal Trade Commission. The Paden City-based Marble King is the first children’s toy manufacturer to be awarded the certification. Marble King produces almost 1 million marbles a day.
Project plans to link Fayette County work force with Internet jobs
A project is underway to use recent upgrades to Internet capability in northern Fayette County to connect the local work force with new Internet employment opportunities. The project was commissioned by the Ansted-New Haven Community Improvement Association (ANHCIA). The group is working with researchers at West Virginia University and West Virginia Wesleyan College, with technical support from the West Virginia Community Development Hub and Campus-Community LINK Project. The goal is to demonstrate that the area has the work force, skills and Internet capability to operate an Internet-based business in the county. The project will match technical graduates with Internet–based opportunities in national corporations.
TechConnectWV reveals awards program for biometric and identity innovations
A new awards initiative is looking for biometric and identity management innovations that could generate jobs in West Virginia. The program is the creation of TechConnectWV, a coalition of professionals working for technology-based economic development in the state. The new awards program will provide technical assistance grants for proposals selected for the best potential to produce new business and jobs in the state in the following amounts: first place, $15,000; second place, $10,000; and third place, $7,500. Biometrics is the science of identifying individuals through the collection of biological data such as fingerprints, facial recognition or iris scans. Identity management is a term for how humans are identified and authorized across computer networks. TechConnectWV is partnering with CSC Identity Labs of Fairmont on the program, and they expect to publish the rules for submitting commercialization proposals in early February, with letters of interest due March 1.
WVEDA approves $217,000 for Upshur County business expansion
The West Virginia Economic Development Authority (WVEDA) approved a loan for a warehouse/trucking business expansion during its January 2011 meeting:
- Lee Phillips Enterprises, $217,000, to purchase an existing leased facility in Buckhannon. The company currently employs nine people. After three years, the employment figure is projected to climb to 18.
In other action, WVEDA authorized Appalachian Power Company (AEP) to issue up to $95 million in bonds for improvements to its solid waste disposal facility at the John Amos Power Plant in Putnam County. WVEDA also authorized Aviation Solutions in Martinsburg, Berkeley County, to issue up to $3.2 million to renovate an aircraft manufacturing facility at the John D. Rockefeller IV Science & Technology Center at the Eastern West Virginia Regional Airport in Berkeley County.
West Virginia University earns Carnegie Foundation recognition
The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching selected West Virginia University (WVU) for the 2010 Community Engagement Classification. WVU is the only institution in the state and among only 6 percent of higher education institutions in the country which Carnegie has given this recognition for community engagement.
Fayette County community wins national environmental award
The nonprofit Keep Fayetteville Beautiful recently won the Keep America Beautiful President’s Circle Award. The award recognizes the group’s efforts to reduce litter, minimize waste, recycle and beautify the local community. The town of Fayetteville was also selected for a $66,500 recycling grant from the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP). In addition, for the fourth straight year, Fayetteville has been awarded the West Virginia Make It Shine clean community award by the WVDEP Rural Energy for America Program (REAP).
Jefferson County hotel wins quality award
The Holiday Inn Express of Charles Town/Ranson was awarded a Quality Excellence Award during the 2010 InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) Conference held in Las Vegas. The Holiday Inn Express of Charles Town/Ranson has been ranked No. 1 against all other IHG Properties of equal kind in the region, which includes 18 other Holiday Inn Expresses. The hotel has won an IHG excellence award each year since it opened in 2006. The multinational IHG operates several well-known hotel brands. The Holiday Inn Express was voted the best in the area of Berkeley, Jefferson and Morgan Counties by readers of the Martinsburg Journal in 2010. Since 2009, the hotel has served as the Jefferson County site for the annual Light Up A Life event, sponsored by Hospice of the Panhandle.
# # #
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 1, 2011
CONTACT:
Jacqueline Proctor, (304) 558-2000
Catherine Zacchi, (304) 957-9340
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 1, 2011
CONTACT:
Jacqueline Proctor, (304) 558-2000
Catherine Zacchi, (304) 957-9340
In This Issue
DuPont Belle plan to fill retiree positions
MarkWest Liberty plans to build in Marion County
Dominion Transmission plans to build in Marshall County
West Virginia to host 2019 World Scout Jamboree
Mustang Survival on team awarded Air Force contract
Marble King receives “Made in U.S.A.” certification
Project to link Fayette County workers with Internet jobs
TechConnectWV reveals awards program for biometric, identity, innovations
WVEDA approves expansion loan, authorizes bonds
WVU earns Carnegie Foundation recognition
Fayette County community wins environmental awards
Jefferson County hotel wins quality award
Quick Links
More about
Open for Business
Past Reports
Why West Virginia
Come Home
to West Virginia
Featured Businesses
in West Virginia
|