Economic Development

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia University researchers will continue to develop and advance their pioneering method to extract and separate rare earth elements and critical minerals from acid mine drainage and coal waste, courtesy of $8 million in new funding from the U.S. Department of Energy. The grant, part of President Joe Biden’s Investing in America agenda, will lead … Read more

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice has announced the award of 38 Transportation Alternatives and Recreational Trails Program grant projects for the Federal Fiscal Year 2022, worth $9,734,552 for projects in 22 counties. Justice said during a press conference that the grant program gives communities throughout the state an economic boost where tourism … Read more

West Virginia was once among the world’s chief exporters of glass, supporting more than 400 factories through the 20th century. Now, only a handful of manufacturers remain, though its glass museums and exhibits are growing as destinations for collectors. What circumstances caused West Virginia to excel, and why did the industry wane? Historians say three … Read more

ARTHURDALE, W.Va. — The Preservation Alliance of West Virginia, in cooperation with Arthurdale Heritage Inc., has taken a next step in establishing a historic preservation center in this historic community in northern West Virginia. The cooperative is seeking qualified professionals and architecture firms to create a master plan for the center, an adaptive reuse of … Read more

FAIRMONT, W.Va. — The launch of a partnership between West Virginia University engineers and the nonprofit and utility sectors could bring the region one step closer to integrating solar-generated power into the electrical grid. Anurag Srivastava, professor and chair of the Lane Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, will support the construction and analysis of a … Read more

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice is petitioning for Clay, Boone, Monroe, Preston, and Hampshire counties to be declared eligible for federal benefits as a result of their relative lack of business investment. The Historically Underutilized Business Zone, or “HUBZone,” program provides participating small businesses access to exclusive federal contracting opportunities and preferential … Read more

West Virginia will receive $548,083,740 over the next five years to replace, rehabilitate, preserve and build bridges as part of the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Gov. Jim Justice has announced. The record funding will provide the state an essential boost to maintain its approximately 7,000 bridges, almost 150 of which are owned by … Read more

ELKINS, W.Va. — The Preservation Alliance of West Virginia in 2022 awarded more than $488,000 in funding to restoration projects in Brooke, Mercer, Preston, Summers, Randolph, Greenbrier, and Hampshire counties through its Saving Historic Places Grants program. According to Danielle Parker, executive director of the alliance, the program was established to help save certified historic … Read more

BERKELEY SPRINGS, W.Va. — Gov. Jim Justice and officials at Commercial Metals Company, also known as CMC, have announced that Berkeley County will be the home of the company’s fourth micro-mill. Projected to cost approximately $450 million, the facility will produce rebar and is projected to begin operating in late 2025. Justice said he’s honored … Read more

State officials are urging West Virginians to help ensure broadband access across the Mountain State by confirming or challenging the Federal Communications Commission’s map of state broadband infrastructure, which appears to include mistakes. The West Virginia Office of Broadband and the West Virginia Broadband Enhancement Council are asking West Virginians to review their location and … Read more