CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Gov. Joe Manchin today released the latest “Open for Business” report documenting the state’s economic progress. The March 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.

US Airways Magazine to profile West Virginia in May 2010 travel feature
Just in time for the start of the summer travel season, West Virginia will be featured in the May 2010 issue of US Airways Magazine as part of its travel series. The in-flight publication reaches about 3.1 million affluent business and leisure travelers who fly the airline to more than 230 destinations in 32 countries. Businesses are invited to contact Pace Airline Media by March 12 about story ideas or ads by calling 610-438-1190 or e-mailing carsten.morgan@verizon.net. For rates and other advertising information, visit www.wvcommerce.org/USAir.

“This issue will provide a great opportunity to highlight what the state has to offer for recreation and living,” said Kelley Goes, cabinet secretary of the West Virginia Department of Commerce, which includes the West Virginia Division of Tourism and the Division of Natural Resources. “Plus, the timing is perfect leverage for our high-profile events — like the PGA TOUR’S Greenbrier Classic golf tournament and the Boy Scouts of America’s high-adventure base —
to draw attention to all that our state has to offer.”

West Virginia receives $126 million grant to expand broadband access
West Virginia will receive more than $126.3 million in federal stimulus funds to expand high-speed Internet access across the state. The state was approved for the full amount requested in its application. The West Virginia State Broadband Infrastructure Project will administer the funds to expand broadband access to K-12 schools, libraries, hospitals, public safety agencies and jails. The announcement was made by U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, joined by U.S. Sen. Jay Rockefeller, Reps. Nick Rahall and Alan Mollohan and National Telecommunications and Information Administration Administrator Larry Strickling.

Mine supply firm to add 20 jobs, new facility, in Boone County
Kentucky-based X-Press Cable Service and Sales announced plans to construct a new facility in Boone County along Corridor G (U.S. 119). The mine supply company expects to create 20 new jobs when the 10,000-square-foot facility is completed by May 2010. X-Press executives said factors that contributed to the selection of Boone County included proximity to the firm’s vendors in the coalfields and the cooperative approach from the Boone County Economic Development Authority.

Nippon Tungsten opens first North American facility in Cabell County
Japan-based manufacturer Nippon Tungsten has selected Cabell County as the site of its first facility in North America and its first wholly owned subsidiary outside of Japan. Nippon Tungsten plans to invest $2.4 million to refurbish an existing 10,000-square-foot building into a high-tech specialized machine shop that will resharpen blades manufactured by Nippon Tungsten’s equipment in Japan. Expected to be operational by May 2010, the shop will create six jobs initially. The facility will service the company’s customers located throughout North America.

Piping firm to add up to 50 jobs with new Berkeley County distribution facility
ISCO Industries, a Kentucky-based pipe systems solutions company, announced plans to open a distribution hub in Martinsburg. Initially the 55,000-square-foot facility will employ 10 workers, which the firm expects to expand to 50 in the near future. The Martinsburg site will serve as a major hub for ISCO Industries, servicing most of the Northeastern U.S.

Protea Biosciences receives patent for novel protein separation technology
Protea Biosciences, Inc., a leading developer of new technology for pharmaceutical research, has been granted a U.S. patent for a novel protein separation technology. The patent is titled “Gel Electroelution and sample separation devices and associated processes.” The technology improves the speed and amount of protein recovered, compared to current technologies. The Morgantown-based Protea Biosciences develops and commercializes new products and services for improved recovery and analysis of proteins from biological samples, and participates in pharmaceutical development partnerships.

Fortune lists Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe among 100 Best Companies
Fortune magazine has named Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe among the 100 Best Companies to Work For. The firm’s administrative hub, the Global Operations Center, is based in Wheeling. Fortune’s 2010 list ranks Orrick in the 95th spot.

Verizon awards $250,000 grant to Regional Economic Development Partnership
Verizon West Virginia Inc. presented a $250,000 grant to the Regional Economic Development (RED) Partnership. RED serves as a resource for development programs and business environment, demographic, economic and community information in the Wheeling region, including Ohio, Marshall and Wetzel Counties. The grant supports efforts to attract business service centers that may locate or expand their businesses in the Northern Panhandle.

WorkForce West Virginia receives $250,000 grant for economic development
WorkForce West Virginia has been awarded a $250,000 Regional Innovation Grant from the U.S. Department of Labor. The funding will be used to help the Advantage Valley region of West Virginia and nearby counties in Kentucky and Ohio to develop economic development plans for employment opportunities and sustainable growth. Created in 1996, Advantage Valley includes 12 counties in three states.

WVEDA approves $4.5 million for two business loans
The West Virginia Economic Development Authority (WVEDA) approved loans totaling $4,571,500 for two companies during its February meeting:

• West Hills Development, LLC, $4,324,000 to finance the purchase and renovation of the former Ames building in Huntington, Cabell County. The building will be leased to DIRECTV as an inbound call center. Currently DIRECTV provides jobs for 697 local employees. The expansion is expected to increase the number of DIRECTV jobs to 797 after three years.
• TMT Real Estate, $247,500, to assist in the financing of the purchase of an existing manufacturing facility in Wheeling, Ohio County. The facility will be leased to TMT affiliate TK Innovation. TK Innovation is projected to increase from two to eight employees after three years.

West Virginia takes part in seminars to bring European business to U.S.
The West Virginia European Office recently participated in three “Doing Business in the USA” seminars in Milan, Italy; Paris, France; and Brussels, Belgium. The seminars were organized by the Council of America States in Europe, the U.S. Department of Commerce Invest in America Program and local partners ranging from the Italian Foreign Trade Commission UBI France to KPMG, UPS and international law firms. More than 100 participating companies were present at each event.

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View previous issues of monthly Open for Business Report on wvopenforbusiness.com. If you have business news, contact Catherine Zacchi at catherine.m.zacchi@wv.gov or 304.957.9340.

US Airways Magazine to profile West Virginia in May 2010 travel feature

West Virginia receives $126 million grant to expand broadband access

Mine supply firm to add 20 jobs, new facility, in Boone County

Nippon Tungsten opens first North American facility in Cabell County

Piping firm to add up to 50 jobs with new Berkeley County distribution facility

Protea Biosciences receives patent for novel protein separation technology

Fortune lists Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe among 100 Best Companies>

Verizon awards $250,000 grant to Regional Economic Development Partnership

WorkForce West Virginia receives $250,000 grant for economic development

WVEDA approves $4.5 million for two business loans

West Virginia takes part in seminars to bring European business to U.S.

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