At the Charleston Area Alliance, we’ve got – and get – energy.

As an economic, business and community development organization, and the largest regional Chamber of Commerce in West Virginia, we know that a strong energy sector is fundamental to our economy and communities.

Here are just a few of the ways we’re working to fuel our future:

• Promoting an innovative, economically viable and environmentally sustainable energy sector through Vision 2030, the Alliance’s 20-year regional economic development initative; • Advocating for policies that support economic growth, job creation, and community enhancement through the Charleston Regional Chamber of Commerce;

• Serving as one of the lead organizations working with global businesses that are conducting due diligence on the placement and development of a world scale ethane cracking facility in West Virginia;

• Funding a study to identify underground natural gas case storage areas in the Kanawha Valley region;

• Serving as the lead private entity in the “Kanawha Converts Consortium,” which is spearheading initiatives to research and implement new natural gas transportation fuel usage in the region, including compressed natural gas and propane;

• Actively marketing several industrial sites throughout the Kanawha Valley in an effort to stimulate new jobs through the downstream opportunities derived from the new shale discoveries and to maximize the value of the shale gas for the benefit of West Virginia citizens;

• Playing key leadership role in promoting the West Virginia Regional Technology Park where research and development benefiting the natural gas and coal industries is underway;

• Actively supporting and participating in industry initiatives including the “Marcellus to Manufacturing” and the Just Beneath the Surface Working Group;

• Educating business, community and government leaders about the benefits of West Virginia’s abundant energy resources through high profile programs and events. These include a SUCCESStrategies forum on “Marcellus Shale: “What’s Up Down Under,” and annual “Women with Energy” luncheon panels presented by Elevations, the Alliance’s Professional Women’s Network;

• Funding and producing a fast-paced educational video on the Marcellus Shale and what the development of an ethane cracking facility would mean to the Kanawha Valley and state;

• Helping area businesses and consumers reduce energy expenditures through workshops and programs developed in partnership with area providers;

• Showcasing best practices and demonstrating by example through innovative energy efficiency upgrades, such as the installation of an energy efficient, solar water heating system at our Small Business Incubator. Your Alliance membership fuels these efforts to promote a strong energy sector, as well as a wide range of innovative programs and services that helps businesses, their employees and their community succeed.

We invite you to join visionary businesses that are energizing our future – and making a wise investment in their own success – through their participation in the Alliance.

Come to a program. Become a member. Join a committee.

When you plug into the Alliance, things get a whole lot brighter!

Until next time,