New helicopter manufactured in West Virginia now commercially available
A new helicopter resulting from a collaboration between Carbon Fiber Composites, Safari Helicopters, and the Robert C. Byrd Institute (RCBI) at Marshall University is now commercially available and has made its first sales. “What makes the Safari helicopter different is it is composed almost entirely of composite materials and is one of the only helicopters on the […]
Booming Business in Mason County: Felman Production Inc.
By Phyllis Flowers Mason County has proven to be fertile ground to grow a manufacturing business. The Felman Production silicon manganese plant in Letart, WV, employs 106 union workers making a good wage—about $84,000 a year on average—in a very competitive business. Felman is one of only two U.S. producers of this alloy, which is […]
Jim Pennington to Step Down as President and CEO of The Health Plan
Jim Pennington has announced his plans to step down as President and CEO of The Health Plan upon the expiration of his current employment agreement at the end of the year. “We greatly appreciate the contributions that Jim has made to The Health Plan and thank him for his excellent leadership and service,” John Wright, […]
WVU Parkersburg rolls out new mobile welding lab to bring on-site training to area businesses
West Virginia University at Parkersburg’s Workforce & Economic Development Division is rolling out a welding lab on wheels to meet a growing need for area businesses to provide on-site training and testing to welders. The mobile welding lab will be unveiled at a ribbon cutting ceremony conducted by the Chamber of Commerce of the Mid-Ohio […]
The Power of Music Education: Appalachian Children’s Chorus
By Audrey Pitonak-Goff As the Appalachian Children’s Chorus (ACC) approaches its 30th anniversary, the organization’s leadership has been reflecting on not only where the nonprofit music education organization has been but where it is going. The ACC’s mission is to provide artistic excellence, a quality music education and extraordinary opportunities while creating a positive effect […]
Promoting Early Entrepreneurship: The West Virginia Kids Business Expo
By Traci Phillips Kayla Lewis, an 11-year-old girl from Charleston, WV, spent 12 hours baking cookies and sweets for the first annual West Virginia Kids Business Expo. The morning of the event, she arose at 6 a.m. and began baking more than 200 of her Sweet Day Cookies to be showcased at the expo in the TransCanada Building […]