CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Construction & Design EXPO drew hundreds of industry professionals to Charleston Wednesday during a time when infrastructure projects are needed most in the state.
“We have some of the worst roads in the nation,” said Cassidy Webb, EXPO Show Manager, during Day 1 of the event at the Charleston Civic Center. “It only seems to be getting worse and everybody knows that, especially contractors because that’s their livelihood.”
There were about 350 exhibits set up inside the Civic Center to showcase what Webb described as the largest trade show in the region.
“It caters and brings together engineering, architecture, contracting, some manufacturing, water, waste water, utility and then tons of service providers,” she said.
Hundreds of industry workers will attend nearly 80 seminars and meetings during the two-day event, Webb said.
“It’s great when they meet someone to do business with in the future. Some of them even make sales here at the show,” she said.
Webb said hosting the show at the Civic Center this year has been challenging because of the ongoing construction.
“We’ve had some speed bumps, but they have been great in working with us. Our biggest issue is that they ripped out whole back end on Lee Street, so that loading dock — they had to put a temporary ramp for us,” she said.
Governor Jim Justice spoke at Wednesday’s opening session about his $2.8 billion roads plan. The governor has been traveling the state on his Save Our State Tour to promote infrastructure projects and to create 48,000 jobs.
“Governor Justice has put forth an aggressive plan to invest in West Virginia’s transportation system,” said Mike Clowser, executive director of the Contractors Association of West Virginia, in a news release. “His proposals will provide immediate improvement to West Virginia’s highways and bridges which have reached a critical state of disrepair.”
Contractors Association of West Virginia represents 450 companies that employs more than 20,000 workers.
“We’ve got to do something to get out of the ditch we’re in,” Justice said in a statement. “My roads plan is the pathway to prosperity for West Virginia.”