Published: November 08, 2008 09:11 pm      

Governor releases ‘Open for Business’ report

CHARLESTON — Gov. Joe Manchin has released the latest “Open for Business” report documenting the state’s economic progress. The November 2008 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.

Fairmont named as contender for Great American Main Street Award

The National Main Street Center announced that Main Street Fairmont is a semi-finalist in the competition for the Great American Main Street Award. The award recognizes communities with exceptional achievements in the revitalization of historic commercial districts. The National Main Street Center will announce the winner at the 2009 Town Meeting in March in Chicago.

Sunshine Farm and Gardens earns patent with new groundbreaking plant

The United States Patent Office has awarded Sunshine Farm and Gardens a plant patent for its hardy perennial poinsettia Euphorbia Jessie. The plant is the first known interspecific Euphorbia hybrid, a cross between E. griffithii and E. polychroma. Sunshine Farm and Gardens is a 36-year-old arboretum, plant nursery and botanical garden in Renick, Greenbrier County.

US Airways Magazine profiles West Virginia in November business series

US Airways Magazine has profiled West Virginia as part of its business series in its November 2008 issue. The in-flight magazine reaches about 6.8 million affluent business and leisure travelers who use the airline to travel to more than 235 destinations in 32 countries. The issue showcases the state’s emerging technologies, quality of life, key industries, academic institutions and healthcare advances. Its 31 pages represent the most extensive business coverage the state has received from a national or international magazine.

Register now for Nov. 19 Energy Efficiency for West Virginia Companies symposium

Energy Efficiency for West Virginia Companies, the 2008 Industries of the Future-West Virginia symposium, is Nov. 19 at the Town Center Marriott, Charleston. Early registration is $125 per person. After Nov. 7, registration is $150. Topics include the latest in energy efficiency innovations, how companies are saving with energy assessments, updates on climate change legislation and more. To register, contact Kathleen Cullen at 304.293.2867, ext. 5426 or kathleen.cullen@mail. wvu.edu. A detailed agenda and a printable registration form are available on the IOF-WV Web site at http://www.iofwv.nrcce. wvu.edu.

MATRIC alliance creates 150 new jobs in Kanawha County

A strategic alliance between Butler International Inc. and the Mid-Atlantic Technology, Research and Innovation Center (MATRIC) is expected to create 150 new engineering research and development jobs. The two organizations are partnering to form the International Design Center (IDC), a full-service professional engineering design firm. IDC will be co-managed by Mid-Atlantic Technical Engineering, an engineering firm owned by MATRIC, a non-profit research-and-development corporation based in the former Dow Tech Center in South Charleston. Butler is a global technology outsourcing firm with 50 locations and more than 3,800 employees worldwide.

WVEDA approves $3 million loan for Wood County plant

The West Virginia Economic Development Authority approved a $3 million loan to the Polymer Alliance Zone Inc. (PAZ). The non-profit trade organization will build an 80,000-square-foot-building on a three-acre site in Mineral Wells, Wood County. The facility will be leased to PWP Industries Inc., a designer, manufacturer and distributor of PET plastic food packaging products. PWP will grind plastic bottles in the new facility and use the resulting material in its manufacturing operation.

New $30 million Alzheimer’s research institute opens in Morgantown

The new Blanchette Rockefeller Neurosciences Institute (BRNI) opened in October on the campus of West Virginia University in Morgantown. The approximately 78,000-square-foot, three story building will provide state-of-the-art laboratory space and support research activities for nearly 100 researchers and scientists. The only nonprofit independent institution in the world dedicated to the study of human memory and memory disorders, BRNI was established in 1999 in honor of Sen. Jay Rockefeller’s mother who was afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease.

West Virginia introduces WorkKeys program

Gov. Joe Manchin has announced a new statewide initiative to offer recognized credentials to West Virginia workers. WorkKeys is a job skills assessment system to evaluate important on-the-job skills. Job seekers who demonstrate job readiness in math, reading and other skills will receive Career Readiness Certificates. The program helps satisfy industry’s demand for certain types of skills; helps job seekers recognize the skills they will need for jobs; and helps educators prepare job seekers and students for success in the workplace. More information about WorkKeys is available by visiting www.workforcewv.org or contact a local WorkForce West Virginia Career Center.

Hino Motors Manufacturing USA celebrates grand opening in Wood County

Nearly 300 guests attended the grand opening of Hino Motors Manufacturing USA in Williamstown on Sept. 29. Since the plant opened in 2007, Hino has invested $18 million in the commercial truck assembly facility and has created jobs for 105 employees. During the event, Hino officials also announced the contribution of a diesel truck engine to the Washington County State Community College; a “practice training truck” to the Wood County Technical Center; and the establishment of a Hino college scholarship program.

Huntington firm receives first U.S. certiification to repair Flygt mine permissible pumps

Service Pump & Supply has been certified as the only facility in the United States authorized to repair Flygtmine-permissible pumps approved by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). The Huntington-based firm is a distributor for ITT Flygt Products, a leading global manufacturer of permissible mine pumps headquartered in Sweden. Service Pump & Supply technicians involved in submersible pump repair received training and passed a written exam to obtain certification. The training ensures that repaired pumps retain the quality and safety features contained in the original MSHA-approved design. In 2008, Service Pump & Supply added 14 employees in its West Virginia operations. The firm maintains branches in Kentucky and Pennsylvania as well.

The Home Depot picks West Virginia Tree Stakes for online garden sales

Wooden “invisible” tree stakes by West Virginia Tree Stakes Inc. have been selected by home improvement retail giant The Home Depot for sale on its on-line garden center Web site. Developed by West Virginia Tree Stakes Inc. in Princeton, Mercer County, the stakes hold the root structure in place while keeping the tree straight. The stakes are installed under the earth’s surface, eliminating mowing hazards and unsightly wires. The biodegradable stakes provide nourishment for the tree as they decompose.

Charleston ranks in top five real estate markets

The NBC morning news program The Today Show cited Charleston in its real estate segment “Five Markets to Make Money” and have a great quality of life. Factors credited for Charleston’s seven percent bump in housing prices included new riverfront development and the city’s geographic advantage of proximity to three major interstates.

West Virginia companies receive commendations for export achievements

Gov. Joe Manchin joined the West Virginia Export Council and the United States Department of Commerce to commend 42 West Virginia companies for exporting to new markets. The Governor’s Commendation for International Market Entry was awarded to: Berkeley County: DeFluri’s Fine Chocolates, Vita Specialty Foods; Cabell County: Guyan International; Richwood Industries Inc.; Star Technologies LLC; Steel of West Virginia Inc.; Fayette County: Highland Machinery Corp.; Grant County: Allegheny Dimension; Allegheny Wood Products; Hancock County: Metsch Refractories Inc.; U.S. Gypsum; Jackson County: J & M Industrial Inc.; Jefferson County: Schonstedt Instrument Co.; Kanawha County: ConveyWeigh LLC; Coal Fillers Inc.; GILCO Lumber, Inc.; Preiser Scientific Inc.; The Moore Company Inc.; Logan County: Ludowici - Innovative; Marion County: Backbone Security; Helmick Corporation; T & T Pump Co.; Marshall County: IMI Fabi LLC; Mason County: Supresta U.S. LLC ; Mineral County: Howell Automotive; Monongalia County: FCX Systems Inc., Morgantown; Petitto Mine Equipment Inc., Morgantown; Preston County: John Skip Ellis Equipment Sales; Putnam County: Clark Truck Parts Inc.; Eagle Research Corp.; Kanawha Scales & Systems; Raleigh County: Engart Inc.; Quality Environmental Containers, Beaver; Ritchie County: Troy, LLC, Harrisville; Upshur County: Coastal Lumber Company; Wayne County: Aplicare Inc.; Jim C. Hamer Lumber Company; Mountain Craft Shop Inc.; Saminco, Inc.; and Wood County: Batteries Direct Inc.

WVDO attends exhibitions for mining, aerospace and metals industries

The West Virginia Development Office (WVDO) met with and provided support for West Virginia companies attending major exhibitions for coal, aerospace and metal industries. Events included the Mine Expo 2008, one the world’s largest mining shows, held in Las Vegas and attended by 57 West Virginia companies with mining-related equipment or services; the National Business Aviation Association 2008 in Orlando, Fla., supporting marketing efforts for airports and the aerospace industry in the state; the 2008 METALCON International metal construction industry conference in Baltimore; and the Las Vegas 2008 FABTECH International & AWS Welding Show, North America’s largest metal forming, fabricating, and welding exposition.

Governor awards Certificates of Recognition to West Virginia firms

Gov. Joe Manchin recently presented Certificates of Recognition to West Virginia companies in honor of their accomplishments. Honored firms from Mineral County were: Green Engineering Office, Burlington, for using a Small Business Work Force grant for training in data-intensive studies to enhance business services and regulatory compliance; Liller Paving and Excavating LLC, Ridgeley, for work force expansion, creating 10 jobs since 2007; Candlewyck Inn Inc.,Keyser, a family-owned lodging and dining business with 20 employees, for quality customer service and consistent work force employment.

The governor also recognized personnel at James Rumsey Technical Institute (JRTI) and the Panhandle Garage Owners Association (PGOA). JRTI and PGOA partnered to provide high-end technical training for service technicians in the Eastern Panhandle. Honored participating PGOA members were Brown’s Tire, Auto and Towing, Shepherdstown; Country Roads Tire and Auto, Martinsburg; Feltner’s Automotive Service, Martinsburg; Greg Jenkins Auto Care, Martinsburg; Import Professionals, Inwood; Martinsburg Service Center, Martinsburg; My Mechanic, Bunker Hill; and Pennington’s Tire and Auto, Martinsburg.

Towns invest in improving downtowns with streetscape projects

The city of Ronceverte and Main Street Ronceverte completed the first phase of its streetscape project on Cedar Street and West Edger Avenue. The three-year project has included the installation of lampposts and replacement of sidewalks along Frankford Road and Main Street. Morgantown recently completed improvements to portions of High Street and Walnut Street as part of a streetscape project. The $800,724 project included replacement of sidewalks, decorative crosswalks, and new lighting. Philippi completed more than $168,000 in sidewalk improvements in its downtown commercial district.

Berkeley County baby apparel firm sews up appearance on CNBC’s Big Idea

The toddler-apparel company BabyCapes LLC taped an appearance on the Recession Proof Product segment of CNBC’s “The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch” in October. With the aid of consulting services from the West Virginia Small Business Development Center, BabyCapes entrepreneurs Elizabeth Hostler and Suzi Crowder launched their business in Martinsburg, Berkeley County, in 2007. The company has doubled its Web-based sales to Canada and 12 states. An air date for the segment will be announced later.