HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — State lawmakers give the go-ahead for Marshall University to build a Cyber Security Center in Huntington that would serve as the second of its kind on a college campus in the United States.
The bill proposed by Gov. Jim Justice this week would direct $45 million to Marshall to build the center. The bill was passed by lawmakers Tuesday during a special session. The vote on the bill was 67-30 and it will now head to the Governor’s desk.
Toney Stroud, vice president of strategic initiatives at Marshall, told members of the House Finance Committee during interim meetings Monday the U.S. Department of Defense supports the project.
“There’s only one such center like this in the country right. It’s at the University of Texas at San Antonio. We are trying to replicate that where we would be the East Coast hub. The Department of Defense is backing us and wanting us to build this other Center of Excellence in the United States so they can have one closer to D.C.,” Stroud said.
The committee voted to approve the bill and sent it to the full House of Delegates for consideration. The Senate already passed their version.
House Minority Leader and committee member Del. Doug Skaff (D-Kanawha) supported the bill and said it’s time for West Virginia to lead the way.
“We always talk about we’re playing catch up to the rest of the country and the world. This is a chance for us to be on the forefront,” Skaff said. “With over 700,000 vacant positions across the country, we can’t act fast enough on this.”
Cabell County Delegates Matthew Rohrbach (R) and Daniel Linville (R) both touted the amount of job creation the center will spur in the district they represent and across the state.
“This proposal has zero percent unemployment, has an average starting salary of $100,000+ a year and has the opportunity for West Virginia to lead on something,” Linville said.
Rohrbach said if there are jobs that pay well, people will stay working and living in West Virginia.
“We have an opportunity to get this in West Virginia, to generate these jobs, to get companies interested in coming here. To me, this is a fantastic opportunity to invest in another 21st century, new age economy that we desperately need in this state as we move forward,” he said.
In addition to state funds, Marshall plans to receive federal funds over the next three years from the Department of Defense including $5 million this year, $14 million in 2024 and $15 million in 2025.
Stroud said the center would be located right across from Marshall’s Old Main Building.
“It’ll be a 78,000 square foot building that will house 13 different labs for the cyber security industry as well as places for private industry in this facility,” he said.
Marshall is currently developing a two-block innovation district. Stroud said one end will house the Brad Smith School of Business and the other end will include the Cyber Security Center.
Stroud said Marshall will be collaborating with West Virginia University, West Virginia State University and other colleges in the state to design the program. He said WVU currently has a cyber security program that focuses on national security and that Marshall’s program will focus on critical infrastructure.
Summers County Delegate and House Finance Committee member Amy Summers questioned Stroud on the timing of passing the bill. Stroud said it was important to get ahead of other institutions.
“Higher education moves slow. We’re trying to move at the speed of business,” he said. “I don’t know what’s going to happen if we put this off in 5-6 months. Others could jump in and take the lead on this. I think this is a golden opportunity for economic development. I think you’ll see your return on investment quickly out of this project.”
Stroud said he believes Marshall can attract up to 1,500 students in the new center, which is about five times what the university has now.
Marshall University was recently named a Center of Academic Excellence in cyber security by the National Security Agency.