Governor
Releases August "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 August 2007 report highlights projects and related announcements that will assist with the creation of new jobs and the preservation of a significant number of existing jobs.
Wincore
opens its doors in Wood County
Wincore Windows and Doors has opened a manufacturing
facility in Wood County. Plans call for the
company to employ as many as 85 people by
the end of 2007. Hiring is now under way through
WORKFORCE West Virginia.
Wincore produces custom vinyl-framed windows
and doors for replacement and new construction.
The 50,000-square-foot facility also houses
Legacy Designs, an associated firm specializing
in bay and bow windows by Sterling Simonton.
The manufacturing plant is just outside of Parkersburg’s
city limits.
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Northrop Grumann
plans to hire 50 employees, establish National
Work Force Center
Northrop Grumman Corp. intends to establish
a National Work Force Center in West Virginia,
subject to final assessments and negotiations,
the company announced in July. The location
assessments are being conducted within the
I-79 high technology corridor in north central
West Virginia, through Wheeling. Northrop
Grumman has described the National Work Force
Center as part of a new initiative to provide
high-quality, cost-effective technology centers
within the United States as an alternative
to off-shoring.
The company will hire about 50 new full-time
employees in West Virginia to support projects
across the country. Initially, Northrop Grumann
will fill information technology jobs, with
expectations to expand. Northrop Grumman Corporation
is a $30 billion global defense and technology
company.
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PRC to add
300 jobs to Huntington center
Business solutions provider PRC announced
it will add 300 new jobs to its center in
Huntington. The new positions include management
and customer support positions. PRC’s current
Huntington work force is about 700. PRC is
an outsourced business solutions provider,
delivering customer management and sales and
marketing services on behalf of leading brands.
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State revenue collections higher than expected
West Virginia has just finished its best revenue collection year, without a tax increase, in recent history. The state government‘s budget year ended June 30 with $95.6 million more than expected, a 4 percent increase in revenues.
"Getting our financial house in order has paid off tremendously," said Gov. Joe Manchin. "We've had two phenomenal years. We continue to press the need for everyone to be mindful of our five-year forecast in our budget planning, so our state does not overspend and burden future administrations and generations of West Virginians. "
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State
records sixth straight month of record-low
unemployment
West Virginia’s 4.5 percent unemployment
for June was that month’s lowest level
on record, WORKFORCE West Virginia reported.
Employment gains included 1,700 in the hospitality
industry, 1,100 in business services and 700
in trade, transportation and utilities, with
losses in the service-providing sector and
the goods-producing sections. Total unemployment
was down 5,500 over the year. West Virginia’s
seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was
4.3 percent in June, 0.2 percent lower than
the national rate of 4.5 percent.
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Pilot resource
program answers questions for small businesses
August 1 marks the beginning for a seven-week
pilot program from the West Virginia Small
Business Development Center. The new toll-free
West Virginia Business Answer Line is designed
to enhance delivery of essential services
to the state’s small businesses. SBDC
staff will help callers meet their business
needs by answering questions, reviewing available
services or directing them to other resources.
To reach the new line, call 1-888-982-7232.
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Camden-Clark Memorial
Hospital named one of Top 25 Most Wireless
Hospitals & Health Networks, a publication
of the American Hospital Association, released
its annual list of the "100 most wired
hospitals and health systems" in July.
Camden-Clark Memorial Hospital in Parkersburg,
Wood County, is among the Top 25 Most Wireless
Hospitals. The listing is based on responses
to the Most Wired Survey, which asks how the
organizations use information technology to
improve care though: safety and quality, customer
service, business process, workforce, and
public health and safety.
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Chesapeake is building
field office in Lewis County
Chesapeake Energy Corp. is building a new
25,000-square-foot facility along Interstate
79 in Jane Lew in Lewis County. Construction
is scheduled for completion in April 2008.
The new building will house 60 Chesapeake
employees. Most of those employees now work
for Chesapeake in Upshur County, although
some new hires are likely, said Scott Rotruck,
vice president of corporate development.
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BrickStreet makes first surplus payment to state
BrickStreet Mutual Insurance Co. has made its first scheduled payment of $5.8 million on its outstanding surplus note to the state of West Virginia. The Offices of the Insurance Commissioner received the check in July. The payments will go directly to the benefit of the workers’ compensation "Old Fund" to help pay back the system’s long-term deficit.
As part of 2005 legislation to privatize
West Virginia’s workers’ compensation
system, BrickStreet received a $200 million
surplus note to establish its business practices
and begin building adequate reserves to pay
claims for injured workers. Back to top
Morgantown’s
Northpointe Plaza to house state’s first embroidery
store franchise
International embroidery franchise EmbroidMe
has opened its first West Virginia store,
a 2,400-square-foot "superstore"
at Northpointe Plaza in Morgantown. EmbroidMe
provides full-service custom embroidery and
screen-printing for apparel and promotional
products for the both private individuals
and business group clients.
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Wayne County
town gets state DEP loan to upgrade sewer
infrastructure
The city of Kenova in Wayne County
recently closed on a $4.6 million loan from
the state Department of Environmental Protection’s
Clean Water State Revolving Fund. The loan
is part of an $8.3 million project. The funds
will be used to separate the town’s
storm and sanitary sewers and to rehabilitate
the sanitary sewers. The project will allow
the city to meet its National Pollution Discharge
Elimination System permit requirements. The
City of Kenova serves about 3,485 customers
in Wayne County. The project is expected to
be completed in July 2008.
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WVEDA approves funds for two firms
The West Virginia Economic Development Authority gave final approval to the following loans during its July meeting.
Greenbrier Technical Services, Inc. $81,260,
to buy new manufacturing equipment to be
installed in its Ronceverte facility in
Greenbrier County. When it was founded in
1989, Greenbrier Technical Services provided
electronic repair services to original equipment
manufacturers, industrial and commercial
customers. Now the company develops mechanical
and electronic replacement parts for drive-through
units, security systems, ATMs, teller units
and audio systems. The company also offers
reverse engineering and product design services.
Greenbrier Technical is headquartered in
Lewisburg.
Huntington Industrial Corporation,
$1786,574, to purchase a 100,000-square-foot
shell building in the HADCO Business Park,
Cabell County. The Huntington Industrial Corporation
is a private non-profit economic development
corporation.
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