More than 1,400 West Virginians and people across the country have signed an online petition and joined a Facebook page urging state and local leaders to take immediate action to prevent the demolition of the South Charleston Technology Park.   That number continues to grow by the hour as people come to the realization that a wrecking ball is headed toward one of the best economic development opportunities this state has seen in decades.

Unless decision makers finalize plans to accept Dow’s donation of property and buildings located at the park to the State of West Virginia, rare demonstration plants and other valuable laboratory facilities could be closed and razed within weeks — taking with them up to 500 quality jobs and closing the door to the promise of 2,000+ new research and technology-related opportunities for West Virginians.

We urge our leaders to come together to preserve and create high-value jobs, make our region highly competitive in research and development and create new opportunities for West Virginia’s coal, natural gas, chemical and other leading industries.

The people have spoken – we hope our leaders are listening:

“The South Charleston Tech Park is key to my family’s future in West Virginia. Please act to keep the tech park open and the companies based there in business. I am a sixth generation West Virginian. Please take these steps so my kids have a better chance to stay in West Virginia.”

“This is the most valuable land asset in our entire region. It is a linchpin for development.”

“The loss of a facility of this type is inexcusable! The talent pool in this valley is tremendous and without the labs contained at the center, we will continue to see our smartest and talented citizens leave.”

“I need my job, and a place to do it in.”

“The federal government is going to spend billions of dollars on energy research over next 30 years to develop clean, CO2 capturing use of fossil fuels and to develop use of alternative energy sources. West Virginia needs to be part of this and capture economic value and jobs from this federal spending.”

“My dad worked for Dow for 30 years and recently started working with MATRIC. Our family has gone through a lot of emotions…all of which are not good. If the park is not kept going, my dad stands to lose his job again.”

“The technology park is the best thing we have going for us in the way of developing jobs and economy in the Charleston area.”

“This facility needs to be utilized by the State of West Virginia to bring jobs to the Charleston area to replace those that have been eliminated over the past eight years. Last year Charleston was the fastest shrinking city in the country. This trend must change or our city will end up like Detroit.”

“This is critical to the potential for West Virginia to compete for 21st century jobs and to have a role in technology advances related to the entire range of energy related issues.”

“Stop the politicking and get this facility for business and educational research.”

“We must not lose this valuable asset. Communities all over the U.S. would love to have an opportunity to use these facilities and our intellectual capital.”

“Let us work together to move West Virginia forward, not backward!”

“This is a complex that has an extreme amount of potential as a research park…to destroy it would be a crime against progress in West Virginia.”

“I am a native West Virginian who is working as a scientist in Maryland. I would love to be able to return home to work, but there are no jobs. Let’s save the tech park in hopes of more biotechnology in West Virginia.”

“It is ludicrous that short-sighted politics will block this endeavor.”

“This project would insure federal funds for energy/environment research that could preserve the use of West Virginia’s coal and gas natural resources, while providing highly skilled/paid jobs and commercial opportunities for our existing and future work force.”

“Our enemies are destroying enough of our country. Let’s not do it ourselves. Save our valuable assets.”

“Our politicians need to have the vision to transform the region’s decline into a new growth center. Do they really want to fiddle while the region burns?”

“These assets are irreplaceable in our lifetime. To let them be demolished would be a criminal act toward the state of the economy in West Virginia.”

“Mark Twain said: ’ I was seldom able to see an opportunity until it had ceased to be one.’ NOW is the time to take action on the South Charleston Technology Park.” 

“Come on guys, work something out!”

The people have spoken.  Now we look forward to hearing what our leaders have to say.

To learn how you can help preserve and create jobs for West Virginians and see more messages from your fellow Mountaineers to the leaders of our state and region, visit:  www.SavetheTechPark.com