FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 4, 2009
CONTACT:
Matt Turner, (304) 558-2000
Catherine Zacchi, (304) 558-2003
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Governor Releases May '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 May 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 a significant number of existing jobs.
West Virginia stimulus information now available on new Web site
Pilgrim’s Pride brings 70 jobs to Hardy County
WVEDA approves $1.8 million for business loans
Allegheny Energy breaks ground for transmission headquarters in Marion County
State of Happiness: West Virginia ranks 9 on Happiness Index
Study forecasts economic growth for Morgantown
West Virginia Small Business Award Winners Announced
WVDO attends Pittcon 2009 scientific instrumentation conference
West Virginia stimulus information now available on new Web site
West Virginia has launched a new Web site that makes details of the state’s recovery program easily available to the public. Visitors to www.recovery.wv.gov will be able track West Virginia’s stimulus dollars at work. This funding to create jobs and stimulate economic growth is being received through the federal government’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
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Pilgrim’s Pride brings 70 jobs to Hardy County
Pilgrim’s Pride Corp. is adding 70 new jobs at its chicken processing plant in Moorefield, Hardy County. The company will invest $1.5 million in upgrading the facility.
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WVEDA approves $1.8 million for business loans
The West Virginia Economic Development Authority gave final approval to two loans during its April meeting:
- Allevard Sogefi USA, Inc., $1.6 million, to install new equipment and expand the current manufacturing facility in the Prichard Industrial Park, Wayne County. The expansion and new equipment are for the company’s new automotive filters production line. Current employees from Allevard Sogefi’s stabilizer bar production line will be transferred to the new filters line this spring.
- Protea Biosciences Inc., $242,631, to purchase and install equipment at its facility in Morgantown, Monongalia County. In 2008, the company advanced from its research stage to a fully operational biotechnology company. The new equipment allows Protea to increase production capacity and commercialize its proprietary products.
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Allegheny Energy breaks ground for transmission headquarters in Marion County
Site preparation is under way for the new Allegheny Energy Inc. transmission and operations center near Fairmont, Marion County. The company is investing $50 million and expects the center will employ 150 people when it opens in 2011. The 148,000-square-foot center will include transmission operations control, a data center and nearly 85,000 square feet of office space. The new building will be certified under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System. The LEED system provides standards for environmentally sustainable construction.
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State of Happiness: West Virginia ranks 9 on Happiness Index
A new index that evaluates the nation’s level of financial “happiness” places West Virginia in 9th place. Mainstreet.com’s Happiness Index looks at household income, debt, employment and foreclosures. The new scale is a twist on the old Misery Index used throughout the 1970s. Instead of identifying the places with the most miserable economies, the Happiness Index identifies states with the most positive financial outlook.
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Study forecasts economic growth for Morgantown
Despite the global recession, the area around Morgantown is expected to continue growing. The findings are reported by West Virginia University’s Bureau of Business and Economic Research (BBER). In its “Morgantown MSA Outlook, Forecast 2009-2103,” BBER concluded that the Morgantown Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes Monongalia and Preston counties, will experience job growth of 1.2 percent per year on average for the next five years.
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West Virginia Small Business Award Winners Announced
West Virginia businesses were recently recognized by the U.S. Small Business Administration West Virginia District Office. The Small Business Week Award Winners 2009 are:
- Small Business Person of the Year, Joseph Lillard, Washington Homeopathic Products, Berkeley Springs
- SBA Young Entrepreneur, Magdalena de La Cruz Cook-Garcia, Maggie’s Salsa LLC, Huntington
- Financial Services Champion, Marten Jenkins, Joe Brouse, Natural Capital Investment Fund, Shepherdstown
- Small Business Journalist, David Kenneth Whalen, B2B Outlook LLC, Martinsburg
- Home-Based Business Champion, Sally Barton, Ron DeWitt, Tamarack Foundation’s Artisan Resource Center, Beckley
- Minority Small Business Champion, Michelle Foster, Kanawha Institute for Social Research and Action (KISRA), Dunbar
- Women in Business Champion, Lotus A. MacDowell, Artworks, Bridgeport
- Entrepreneurial Success, James R.J. Martin II, Citynet, Bridgeport
- Jeffrey Butland Family-Owned Small Business, Pat Oliverio, Phillip Oliverio, Petrina Bonamico, Oliverio’s Ristorante Inc., Bridgeport
- Small Business Exporter, Angelo Petitto, James Petitto, George Marshall, Petitto Mine Equipment Inc., Morgantown
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WVDO attends Pittcon 2009 scientific instrumentation conference
The West Virginia Development Office (WVDO) recently attended the Pittcon Conference and Expo 2009 in Chicago. The exposition showcased analytical chemistry and applied spectroscopy products that can be used in areas such as nanotechnology, environmental sciences, forensic analysis, homeland security and more. WVDO attendance was to market businesses and services available in the state.
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