Governor
Releases June '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 June 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.
Appalachian Power receives West Virginia DEP’s first carbon sequestration permit
WVEDA approves $1.6 million for business loan
Gemark takes part in Governor’s Guaranteed Work Force to train employees
PPG Industries invests nearly $6 million in Marshall County plant
Morgantown ranks second in Forbes.com’s Top College Towns for Jobs
West Virginia investments in science and research show progress
West Virginia to invest $30 million to create worker training centers
West Virginia style director consults on national television’s “Platinum Weddings”
Appalachian Power receives West Virginia DEP’s first carbon sequestration permit
Appalachian Power Company received the first carbon dioxide sequestration permit issued by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection. Carbon dioxide is captured from flue gas from fossil-fuel powered facilities and compressed to convert the gas to a supercritical fluid. The fluid is conveyed by pipeline to the sequestration site where the carbon dioxide is injected into deep rock formations. The permit allows the Mountaineer Plant facility in New Haven, Mason County, to capture and inject up to a maximum of 165,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year over a period of four to five years. Gov. Joe Manchin stated that the carbon capture technology will create jobs and support energy independence.
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WVEDA approves $1.6 million for business loan
The West Virginia Economic Development Authority gave final approval for a loan during its May meeting:
Silicon Processors Inc., $1.6 million, to purchase equipment, additional property and a facility adjacent to the company’s location in Parkersburg, Wood County. With the addition of the company’s own funds, the expansion represents an investment totaling $3.5 million. Established in 2003, Silicon Processors prepares chemical grade silicon metal used in photovoltaic chips for solar power collection. The expansion will enable the company to process a material used to reduce sulfur emission in coal burning power plants. Silicon Processors projects its current roster of four employees will increase to as many as 24 in three years.
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Gemark takes part in Governor’s Guaranteed Work Force to train employees
Gemark Services of West Virginia is participating in the Governor’s Guaranteed Work Force program to provide employee training. The project focuses on developing employee skills in reading electrical plans needed to repair and maintain equipment. Gemark will contribute $1,175, coupled with a $3,525 award from the West Virginia Development Office, for the employee training program. The Governor’s Guaranteed Work Force Program provides financial and technical assistance to West Virginia’s new and expanding businesses for training or upgrading employee skills. Headquartered in Bluefield, Mercer County, Gemark has four locations in the United States. Gemark is a specialist in precious metal recovery and provides refining, recycling, and product destruction services to various industries.
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PPG Industries invests nearly $6 million in Marshall County plant
PPG Industries will invest nearly $6 million to install a new acid burner unit at its chlor-alkali and derivatives plant in Natrium, W.Va. The new unit is expected to be operational by the end of this year. The burner will allow PPG to meet regional demand for hydrochloric acid (HCI). A chlorine derivative, HCI is used in applications such as steel, oil and food production. The Natrium plant currently has about 540 employees.
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Morgantown ranks second in Forbes.com’s Top College Towns for Jobs
Morgantown came in second in Forbes.com’s list of Top College Towns for Jobs. The article reports that college towns such as those on its list are steadier across business cycles. According to an economist quoted in the article, every job created by a university or college generated between one-half to one full job in the surrounding economy.
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West Virginia investments in science and research show progress
The newest data from the National Science Foundation indicate that West Virginia’s investment in research is starting to show results. The total research and development expenditures at West Virginia colleges and universities increased by 24 percent between 2004 and 2007. The number of West Virginia college students majoring in science, technology, engineering and mathematics climbed by nearly 19 percent between 2003 and 2007. Both West Virginia University and Marshall University opened new research facilities and both moved up in the 2008 rankings of medical school research funding from the National Institutes of Health.
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West Virginia to invest $30 million to create worker training centers
The West Virginia Community and Technical College System will build two advanced technology job training centers, using $30 million the state Legislature set aside in 2008. The centers will include labs for electrical, chemical and manufacturing training and flexible space to keep up with changes in industry. The two $15 million centers are slated for completion in three years. The training center to be built along I-79 between Clarksburg and Morgantown will be operated by Pierpont Community and Technical College. The center to be located in the Advantage Valley between Charleston and Huntington will be operated by Bridgemont Community and Technical College, Kanawha Valley Community and Technical College and Marshall Community and Technical College.
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West Virginia style director consults on national television’s “Platinum Weddings”
The May 31 season finale of WE TV’s reality series “Platinum Weddings” included the work of a West Virginia native familiar to followers of bridal style. Monte Ray Durham was filmed applying his skills as wedding style director for a spectacular Atlanta affair the show described as “black-tie glamour meets Southern charm.” Durham owns Studio M in Beckley and is director of Glade Springs’ Spa Orange, where he manages 10 employees. His work has previously been featured on the pages of Elegant Bride, Washingtonian, The Washington Post, and other venues.
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