In April 2020, Governor Jim Justice and West Virginia University (WVU) President Gordon Gee announced a bold plan to attract remote workers to the Morgantown area, the Greenbrier Valley and the Eastern Panhandle—the Ascend West Virginia program. The brainchild of Brad and Alys Smith, the couple looked to WVU and the state to bring the program to life.
While much focus is placed on the ways in which West Virginia can improve and develop, it is just as important to identify and promote the various successes the state has experienced in the past few years. The tide is moving in the right direction. The victories are impressive and imperative to the overall well-being and longevity of the Mountain State.
From the tip of each of its two panhandles to the southernmost coalfield, West Virginia’s communities run the gamut of size, topography and industry. The struggles and successes of some of the state’s smaller communities are sometimes overlooked in favor of its population, health care, athletic and political hubs; however, these small communities pack a powerful punch when it comes to finding creative solutions to reversing population decline, diversifying economies and repurposing existing infrastructure.
West Virginia’s automotive manufacturing companies comprise an extensive industry in the state, playing a large role in West Virginia’s economic success. With an impact of $711 million and 6,004 jobs just in 2021—numbers directly related to the automotive sector and not including third-tier suppliers—the staggering amount of revenue and jobs brought into the state contributes to the welfare of West Virginia and its communities.
There is one thing folks learn pretty quickly when visiting the Mountain State: West Virginians are kind, generous and helpful. This selfless nature was recognized by John F. Kennedy when he visited the state during the 1960 presidential primary election campaign and said, “The sun does not always shine in West Virginia, but the people always do.” Despite a long history of economic challenges, West Virginians are known for offering a hand up to those in need—especially strangers.
WVU College of Law Class of 2022 By Arianna Whitehair “Law school was a dream for me since middle school. It was easy for me to pay attention in class and take my readings seriously because I genuinely loved the material,” says Shawn Hogbin, a 2022 graduate of the West Virginia University (WVU) College of…