|
|
|
On
Wednesday evening, Gov. Jim Justice delivered his fourth State
of the State address from the State Capitol in Charleston, where he
informed lawmakers and the public of the many ways that West
Virginia has been growing stronger over the past year. Gov. Justice
also announced several new programs and initiatives to keep West
Virginia on a positive trajectory for many years to come. [Watch / Read Full Address] [More Photos]
|
|
|
|
During his
State of the State address, Gov. Justice announced an agreement
with Wyoming-based carbon technology company Ramaco Carbon to open
a new research facility in West Virginia, to pursue research
related to the use of coal to develop advanced carbon products and
materials. [Watch /
Read More]
|
|
|
|
After
announcing it during his State of the State address
Wednesday, Gov. Justice issued an Executive Order Thursday,
officially establishing the West Virginia Narcotics Intelligence
Unit under the West Virginia Department of Military Affairs and
Public Safety’s Intelligence Fusion Center. The order will create a
21st century law enforcement unit to use state-of-the-art data
analytics, forensic accounting, and support to every West Virginia
law enforcement agency to crack down on drug trafficking activity. [Watch /
Read More]
|
|
|
|
Also
during his State of the State address, Gov. Justice announced
that his administration has secured $3.3 million, which the
Governor will be including in his budget proposal, that will fund
the establishment of a second Mountaineer Challenge Academy and
Mountaineer Job Challenge Program, utilizing part of the former WVU
Tech campus in Montgomery. [Watch /
Read More]
|
|
|
|
On
Saturday, Gov. Justice greeted dozens of West Virginia
National Guard soldiers, returning home after a nine-month
deployment to the Middle East. The Governor also met with hundreds
of their family members, friends, and loved ones during a
homecoming ceremony at McLaughin Air National Guard Base in
Charleston. More than 140 soldiers returned home Saturday.
Over the course of their deployment, the soldiers served a combined
total of more than 28,000-man hours, completing various missions
and assignments throughout Kuwait, Afghanistan, and Saudi Arabia. [Watch Video] [More Photos]
|
|
|
|
On
Thursday, Gov. Justice joined State Superintendent of Schools Dr.
Steven Paine and other community partners to hold a ceremony,
honoring the 2020 West Virginia Teacher of the Year winner –
Jennifer Schwertfeger – a 10-year veteran science teacher
from Cameron High School in Marhsall County. Toyota donated a new
car to Schwertfeger for use as she travels across the Mountain
State to fulfill her duties as Teacher of the Year. Additional
monetary awards were given to Schwertfeger and other exemplary
teachers from across West Virginia from a variety of program
sponsors. [Watch Video] [More Photos]
|
|
|
|
Last
Friday, Gov. Justice joined State education leaders,
Mercer County school administrators, and dozens of young
students inside the gymnasium of the all-new Mountain Valley
Elementary School in Bluefield for a “bell-ringing” ceremony,
commemorating the official opening of West Virginia's newest
school. [Watch Video] [More Photos]
|
|
|
|
Last
Thursday, Gov. Justice reported that December 2019 revenue
collections were $6.9 million above estimates, which was 1.2% above
prior year receipts. The month of December also marks the end of
the second quarter of Fiscal Year 2020. Cumulatively, FY 2020 is
just 1.4% below the record-breaking prior year receipts. After a
disappointing two months that began the fiscal year, the last four
months came in at $16.4 million above estimates, exceeding
expectations. [Read More]
|
|
|
|
On
Wednesday, Commerce Secretary Ed Gaunch toured several businesses
in Putnam County. The Commerce team visited Tasty Blend Foods, a
maker of dry mixes and bakery goods in Fraziers Bottom; Total
Distribution, a storage and distribution company primarily for
chemicals in Nitro; and Kanawha Scales, a provider of scales and
other solutions for the weighing and automation industry in Poca.
In addition to the visits to businesses, the Commerce team attended
the Hot Cocoa Open House hosted by the Putnam County Chamber of
Commerce and Putnam County Development Authority in Hurricane. [Read More]
|
|
|
|
Last
Thursday, on the 14th anniversary of the Sago mine disaster, Gov.
Justice issued a statement offering prayers for the 12 men who lost
their lives, as well as their families and friends. [Social
Post]
|
|
|
|
Last
Friday, officials with the West Virginia Aeronautics Commission
explained their role within the State Department of Transportation
and spotlighted progress made in recent years. [Watch
Video]
|
|
|
|
On
Saturday, seven West Virginia Army National Guard soldiers said
goodbye to family and friends at Yeager Airport in Charleston,
before joining the 1st Squadron, 150th Cavalry Regiment, 30th
Armored Brigade Combat Team (ABCT), on deployment in the Middle East.
The 30th ABCT consists of 4,200 National Guard Soldiers from four
states: North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio, and West Virginia. [More
Photos]
|
|
|
|
This week,
the West Virginia Small Business Development Center spotlighted
their work with the not-for-profit Jackson County Developmental
Center (JCDC), which has a mission is to support and employ people
with disabilities. Recently, the organization added a new
skills and employment facility: JCDC Woodworks in Ravenswood. The
woodworking enterprise creates high quality wood furniture and home
furnishings, and gift items. [Watch
Video]
|
|
|
|
|
|