Environment versus economy. As Americans—and West Virginians—it feels like we are being told we must either choose our mountains and streams or our jobs and electricity because we can’t have both. In an age of innovation and technological advancement in which we can build better, faster and safer, why should having both be beyond our grasp?
It was a long, complex and at times risky journey that brought Dr. Mirta Martin to West Virginia in January 2018 to serve as president of Fairmont State University. Born in Havana, Cuba, during the communist regime led by Fidel Castro, Martin was 6 years old when she, her grandmother and her sister were given permission by the Cuban government to go to Spain. The move separated them from the rest of their family for decades.
Throughout its 250-year history, the city of Wheeling has been many things, including the first capital of the Mountain State and an industrial giant for industries such as steel, iron and glasswork. While its population and economy suffered for a number of years as factories began closing their doors, a recent resurgence has brought with it an influx of new businesses, young families and advocacy efforts to honor the city’s historic landscape.
When one stops to consider the impact coal has had on the development of the modern world, it is hard to imagine where civilization would be without this fossil fuel. More than heating homes and providing electricity, coal has inspired—and driven—innovation in other industries such as transportation, steel production and manufacturing throughout history.
Invest in education, technology, infrastructure and broadband. Foster long-term community engagement. Create a community with a quality of life so attractive people want to live there.
With his sights set on the heavens, as a boy Christopher “Mookie” Walker dreamed only of flying. Soon after graduating from the U.S. Air Force Academy, he found himself on a career path that allowed him to spread his wings and explore his passion for flight.