CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A roundtable Wednesday will focus on economic development and the impact the coronavirus has had on West Virginia businesses.
The Alliance for the Economic Development of Southern West Virginia at Marshall University and the West Virginia Public Education Collaborative at West Virginia University will host the event, which collaborative chairman Scott Rotruck said will focus on the “silver linings” of the coronavirus pandemic.
Rotruck said on Tuesday’s MetroNews “Talkline” collaboration and cooperation have been themes of the coronavirus pandemic among businesses.
“They’re being very innovative, very creative, and it’s going to lead to a lot of permanent change in West Virginia,” he said.
The webinar will also focus on needs that still need to be addressed, including access to broadband internet and telemedicine.
“One thing we’ve learned is we have to cooperate to compete,” Rotruck said. “In order for West Virginia to be competitive, we have to take every opportunity we can to cooperate. If we have assets, those who put assets together better and leverage them, that’s who wins.”
John Deskins, the director of WVU’s Bureau of Business and Economic Research, and state coronavirus czar Dr. Clay Marsh are among the event’s listed participants.