CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. — The West Virginia Business and Industry Council and the Eastern Panhandle Business Association teamed up on Tuesday to present the first of five public forums regarding employment in the Mountain State.
The forum, entitled “Putting West Virginia Back to Work,” featured discussions with various government leaders with several others in the audience.
West Virginia is currently last in nearly every economic outlet among all 50 states, so the organizations are looking for solutions to get the Mountain State to a more comfortable position.
The forum at the Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races and Slots, was kicked off by Chairman of the WV Business and Industry Council Chris Hamilton.
Hamilton said he understands that some folks in the Eastern Panhandle feel disenfranchised from time to time with the goings on in Charleston, but says the legislators that are representing this area are doing an exemplary job.
“From the Business and Industry Council’s standpoint we’re just so appreciative of all the Panhandle represents, and all that’s contributed [to Charleston],” he said before the forum.
Jim Ruland, Chairman of the Eastern Panhandle Business Association, praised the Eastern Panhandle for being an economic powerhouse despite the lack of funding from sources like the coal industry.
“Especially with the decline of natural resources, the Eastern Panhandle has been playing more and more of a role in being an economic engine for the state,” Ruland said.
Ruland also explained that in order for the Panhandle to welcome new businesses, it needs to be proven that there is a competent and drug-free workforce available.
“It’s wonderful that Blue Ridge has that adaptability, and that’s exactly the kind of partnership that would work; however, Blue Ridge is doing more work and training more people than all of the other community colleges around the state put together, yet they receive less funding from the state than most of them,” Ruland said. “That doesn’t seem explainable or very smart.”
The Eastern Panhandle Businesses Association is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, and Ruland said he would like to see that legacy continue with even more development.
U.S. Rep. Alex Mooney, WV Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, and WV Supreme Court Justice of Appeals Justice-elect, Beth Walker, were among the Eastern Panhandle representatives that spoke at the forum.
The highlight of the event was originally scheduled to be a gubernatorial forum between Sen. President Bill Cole and Greenbrier Resort owner Jim Justice, but Justice could not attend, choosing to remain at the Greenbrier this week to welcome the New Orleans Saints for their training camp.
Instead, Cole addressed the crowd on his own and highlighted the ways the Eastern Panhandle can improve its performance.
“With Macy’s and Procter & Gamble – and all the business that are going to spring up around those – this is becoming an economic driver for our whole state. The people in the Eastern Panhandle need to know that I realize how important that [this area] is, and we’ll treat the Eastern Panhandle with the respect it deserves.”
The next stop for the WVBIC 2016 regional tour will be in Morgantown, on Aug. 16.