“This deal has allowed me to stay in the Kanawha Valley with my family. I originally had moved away from Charleston for a job, and this position with MATRIC gave me a chance to come back home. Now, I’m able to stay. The tech park’s potential is big. There’s no facility like it anywhere in the state. If we hadn’t kept these high-paying jobs here, Charleston and South Charleston would have lost that tax revenue.”

Adam Lucas
Director of Information Technology, MATRIC

This is the second in a series of FAQs to address issues related to The Dow Chemical Company’s donation of property at the South Charleston Technology Park to the State of West Virginia:

Click here to view the first part of the FAQ.

16.  What happens now that the Higher Education Policy Commission has accepted Dow’s donation?

The Higher Education Policy Commission and its partners will continue implementation of a $500,000 federal grant to study research park models and develop plans for the South Charleston property.  Initial mapping of the property has been completed.   Now that the state has formally accepted the donation, remaining grant funds will be available to continue planning activity related to marketing and fiscal and facilities management.

The Governor will appoint a transition team to oversee this process and ensure that every opportunity to realize the potential of the park is pursued.  The Charleston Area Alliance expects to be at the table during this process.

17.  When will new business tenants move to the tech park?

In the two years since Dow announced its desire to donate the property, global energy-sector corporations and other businesses have expressed interest in utilizing existing facilities or constructing new buildings on the site.  However, because the ownership status of the property was uncertain, these businesses were unable to move forward with meaningful plans to locate at the park.  

Since the Governor announced a week ago that the state would take ownership of buildings and land located at the tech park, venture capital firms and other businesses have begun to inquire about the property again.  

In light of nation’s growing need for energy innovation and the park’s location and rare pilot plants, the site was and is very attractive to corporations and start-ups looking for facilities where they can commercialize research and bring solutions to national and global challenges to the marketplace.  The Alliance will continue working with the Chemical Alliance Zone, Advantage Valley and federal, state and local partners to promote the property to site consultants and others looking for an opportune location to launch or expand a research and technology-related business. (more…)

“This was great news for me. I have a long tradition here. My father began working at Union Carbide in 1959, the year I was born. I’ve been working here for 30 years, and I’ve worked in all three buildings that have been donated to the state. These are excellent facilities, and I love the campus atmosphere. We have a lot of good technological minds in the state, and when facilities like this go away, they go away. And you don’t get that back.”

Vince Stricker
Senior Process Engineering Specialist, Dow

The Higher Education Policy Commission today voted in favor of accepting a donation from The Dow Chemical Company for property and buildings at the South Charleston Technology Park. Following Governor Joe Manchin’s announcement last week that the state plans to transform the park into an “Education, Research and Technology Park,” Commission members echoed that commitment and formally approved the agency’s new role in overseeing the park.  The vote was unanimous among participating members.

“This represents a tremendous opportunity for higher education, for research and development, and for the future of West Virginia,” said David Hendrickson, Chairman of the Commission. “We are ready to take on this new venture, which is sure to be challenging – but also has the potential to present a new terrain of possibility that our state has never before seen.”

West Virginia’s strategic plan for science and technology is to transform West Virginia’s economy by spurring job creation and technology-based business development. With far-reaching research taking place across the state, the primary goal of the park is to create a business incubator for developing and commercializing ideas, including research in energy, chemicals and materials, and biotechnology.

“Thanks to leadership from Governor Manchin, legislators, federal representatives, local officials and the business community, all of the right pieces are coming together to put the tech park – and West Virginia – on an encouraging new path,” said Brian Noland, the Commission’s Chancellor. “Members of the Commission today again signaled the state’s willingness and desire to make that happen, and I am eager to pursue the promise that I know the park holds for education and the economy.” (more…)

“I’m here because of the labs and facilities, so I’m happy they were able to save the Tech Park. I’m happy we’ll have more opportunities here. We’ll see more potential clients who need experimental facilities. We already have a lot of good people here, and now we can keep the existing workforce.”

Chuck Moyers
Senior Chemical Engineer, MATRIC

One day after Governor Manchin announced that the State of West Virginia will accept Dow Chemical Company’s donation of land and facilities at the South Charleston Technology Park, the Charleston Area Alliance Board of Directors pledged to continue to invest resources to help transform the property into an economic engine that will save and create hundreds of high-value jobs for West Virginians, attract private investment and commercialize research to help state industries stay competitive in a changing world.

In their meeting last Friday, directors voted unanimously to endorse a resolution supporting the project, which, among other measures, called for a $250,000 contribution from the Alliance’s “Jobs Trust Fund” to the West Virginia Education, Research and Technology Park in South Charleston.

The trust fund was created from proceeds from the sale of property owned by the Alliance at Southridge. The purpose of the fund is to launch projects that will have a significant and sustainable economic impact on the region. The $250,000 contribution does not affect the Alliance’s operating budget, which is funded through private contributions, member dues, foundation grants and government support. Approximately 19 percent of the Alliance’s projected 2010 operating budget comes from public funding. 

“When the Governor asked for help from the private sector, the Alliance was proud to be the first to say ‘yes.’  We can think of no other project that will have a greater long-term impact on jobs and growth for the state than the technology park,” explained Alliance Chairman Jack Rossi.  “This kind of project is why the trust fund was created several years ago. We want to be able to engage these types of job growth projects and push them over the tipping point.”

“This is the opportunity of a generation,” said Alliance President Matt Ballard.  “We are already working with our state and local partners to market the property and its assets, attract new companies and private investment to the site and help it become a research commercialization hub for the East Coast.”

The state’s acceptance of the donation will have an immediate impact on our region, as well. “The 500 families whose jobs were saved live, shop and go to school in our communities. Everyone is hurt when jobs are lost and people are forced to leave the Kanawha Valley and West Virginia,” Ballard explained.

“We look forward to continuing our work with the Governor, the Higher Education Policy Commission, the Kanawha County Commission, the Chemical Alliance Zone, Advantage Valley and other federal, state and local partners to create a recipe for success at the tech park,” Ballard said.

“We recognize the project is a major undertaking. It requires a significant investment. The potential payoff, though, is well worthwhile – sustainable economic development that will spur entrepreneurship, attract private investment and create high-value jobs,” said Rossi.  “It’s about growth, something West Virginia desperately needs.”

“We agree with Governor Manchin when he said ‘we can solve our own problems or wait for someone else.’ We’re proud that West Virginia is setting its own course for the future, and the Alliance stands ready to help steer the ship,” Ballard said. “In many ways, the work is just beginning. But seeing so many people, leaders and organizations work together to make this vision a reality is fantastic.”

Together, we made it happen. Now the real work begins.

The Charleston Area Alliance today is proud and excited following Governor Manchin’s announcement that the State of West Virginia will accept Dow Chemical Company’s donation of property and buildings at the South Charleston Technology Park.

We look forward to working with the Governor, the Higher Education Policy Commission, the Chemical Alliance Zone, Advantage Valley and many others to create a recipe for success at the tech park. This project represents the opportunity of a generation.

We stand ready to work with our visionary partners to market the property and its assets, attract new companies and private investment to the site and help it become a research commercialization hub for the East Coast, as well as support MATRIC in its continued growth.

The Governor has asked for support from the private sector. The Alliance is speaking for its more than 600 business members and the business community as a whole when we pledge to continue investing time, expertise and resources to realize the potential of the tech park. 

We commend the Governor and West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission Chancellor Brian Noland for their commitment to the “new” tech park and their diligence in gathering and analyzing the information needed to make a final decision on such a complex project. Through their determined leadership, West Virginia has set its own course for the future. 

We recognize the donation is a major undertaking for the state. It requires a significant investment. The potential payoff, though, is well worthwhile – sustainable economic development that will spur entrepreneurship, attract private investment and create high-value jobs.  It’s about growth, something West Virginia desperately needs.

When the state accepted Dow’s donation, it saved 500 jobs. Today, many of our friends and neighbors will rest easier, knowing they can remain in the Kanawha Valley rather than look for work elsewhere. The Charleston-Metro region is still home to dozens of young minds, who are more confident in the state’s dedication to their future.

Just as important, the park’s facilities hold the promise of creating thousands of new jobs. We envision a globally-competitive innovation center where research is commercialized to meet global challenges and help West Virginia industry stay competitive in a changing world.

The Governor has affirmed his vision in such a center with a higher education component, a model that has been a blueprint for success in other parts of the country. Thanks to the Governor, Chancellor Noland, Vice Chancellor for Research and Technology Paul Hill and others within the Governor’s staff, we can start making that vision a reality.

The citizens of the region and of the state were instrumental in moving this project forward. A grassroots effort brought this project to the forefront of the state’s public policy agenda. Thank you.

Now let’s work to create the future.

Today, the Alliance reaffirmed its commitment to saving and expanding the South Charleston Technology Park as Governor Manchin hosted another meeting to discuss the details and logistics of accepting Dow Chemical’s donation of property and buildings at the site to the state.

The stakeholders are dedicated to making it happen. The Governor asked for support from the private sector and received this message from the Charleston Area Alliance: “We are the private sector and we fully support this project.”

The Alliance is speaking for more than 600 members and the business community as a whole when we pledge to continue to invest time, expertise and resources to realize the potential of the tech park. This project represents the region’s most significant economic development opportunity in decades.  We stand ready to work with partners such as the Chemical Alliance Zone and Advantage to market the property and its assets, attract new companies to the site and help it become a research commercialization hub for the East Coast, as well as support MATRIC in its continued growth. Valley

We commend the Governor and West Virginia Higher Policy Commission Chancellor Brian Noland for their commitment to the “new” tech park and their diligence in gathering and analyzing the information needed to make a final decision on such a complex project. Through their determined leadership, West Virginia is working to set its own course for the future, rather than let others set it for us.  Accepting the donation would be a major undertaking for the state, but the potential payoff is well worthwhile.

In media interviews before today’s meeting, several young MATRIC scientists said they would be forced to move from the region if the tech park closed.  Five hundred jobs hang in the balance as the March 1 deadline looms, and we can’t stand on the sideline while the Charleston-Metro region stands to lose so many quality workers, particularly young professionals who represent West Virginia’s future.

But saving the tech park isn’t just about saving jobs — it’s about creating jobs. The facilities hold the promise of thousands more. We envision a globally-competitive innovation center where research is commercialized to meet global challenges and help West Virginia industry stay competitive in a changing world.

The Governor has affirmed his belief in the vision of such a center with a higher education component, a model that has been a blueprint for success in other parts of the country.   Thanks to the Governor, Chancellor Noland, Vice Chancellor for Research and Technology Paul Hill and others within the Governor’s staff, this vision is closer to reality.

The citizens of the Kanawha and of the state been instrumental in keeping this vision alive. More than 1,000 have joined a Facebook page urging leaders to take immediate action to prevent the demolition of the tech park. Nearly 900 more signed an online petition. In a grassroots effort that gained momentum practically overnight, they brought this project to the forefront of the state’s public policy agenda. Valley

We have much to do. We call on everyone committed to our future to continue to communicate and work together to maximize the potential of the world-class facility to bring innovation to the marketplace and create new opportunities for West Virginia’s coal, natural gas, chemical and other leading industries.

More and more people are seeing the vision. Working together, we will make it happen.

Matthew G. Ballard

A small road might not seem like much, but in the economic development world, it can have a big impact. 

In the case of Leslie Equipment, having an access road was the difference-maker when the company decided to locate a facility in Cross Lanes. It opened in 2007 and today the John Deere dealership and regional training center employs more than 30.

With the help of the Kanawha County Commission and the Division of Highways, the Charleston Area Alliance was able to procure up to $400,000 from the Industrial Access Road Fund.

“That’s one of the reasons we bought the property,” said Rick DeMoss, Leslie vice president and project manager. “It really helped us. If the Alliance hadn’t applied for that money, we wouldn’t have gotten it.

“Now other businesses are benefiting from it,” DeMoss said.

The access road leads to the Golden Corral, and a soon-to-be-open hotel will use it. With a little effort and know-how, an inconspicuous access road has helped create jobs and new business in the Kanawha Valley.

This is a great example of creating a prosperous economy. We’re not waiting for change to happen, and we’ll do anything we can to make the region more attractive to potential employers.

Leslie Equipment Company has been a John Deere Equipment Dealer for more than 38 years. The company has received high recognition in the industry for being an innovative leader in sales and product support.

Leslie has ten locations in West Virginia, Ohio and Kentucky. It stocks a complete line of John Deere construction and forestry equipment to handle almost any job. Leslie has available inventory for immediate purchase and a rental fleet that will meet just about any construction or forestry need.

That means the Kanawha Valley now is a little more attractive to John Deere customers. Companies with these kinds of needs might consider Leslie’s services when looking at the Valley as a potential location.

We often hear the refrain about West Virginia’s failures, but we’re here to sell its potential.

Leslie’s journey to its new facility began as a promise. It continued with a road and then an expanded facility. Then came more jobs. Business followed.

Individually, these might seem small. Together, they are significant, and we’re going to see more positive news resulting from Leslie Equipment’s impact.

We have a bevy of stories like this of which to be proud, and that’s why we’re continually optimistic about Charleston and the Kanawha Valley.

We’re on the right road, and we see great things on the horizon.

West Virginia’s future looks brighter today.

We applaud Governor Manchin’s leadership in bringing Dow Chemical’s donation of South Charleston Technology Park to the state a big step closer to reality. And we commend everyone who came to the table to make this happen.

By putting aside politics and pursuing the vision of a globally-competitive innovation center, significant progress was made in saving more than 500 high value jobs already here and preserving the potential to create thousands more. While there are a number of issues yet to be resolved, there is a shared commitment  by all parties involved to come together for the greater good of West Virginia. 

The Governor affirmed his belief in the vision of a technology and innovation park with a higher education component, a model that has been a blueprint for success in many other parts of the country. At his request, the Governor’s general counsel and the West Virginia Division of Real Estate will continue to work with MATRIC, the Chemical Alliance Zone and the Charleston Area Alliance to finalize the details of the project as the deadline as the March 1 deadline looms. There was recognition that moving state agency offices is not consistent with the vision of a technology park, but that the laboratories and other technical facilities located there may be appropriate for some specialized state scientific and research activities. 

Governor Manchin has been tireless in his dedication to fulfilling the promise of a “new” technology park, as have the members of the Kanawha County Commission, representatives of Charleston and South Charleston and other parties who participated in today’s meeting.

The citizens of the Kanawha Valley and of the state have been instrumental in keeping this vision alive. They signed an online petition urging leaders to take immediate action to prevent the demolition of the tech park and enlisted others to join the cause via social media. In a grassroots effort that gained momentum practically overnight, they brought this project to the forefront of the state’s public policy agenda.

With leadership at the highest levels and a groundswell of support from the community, the road blocks standing in the way of jobs and opportunity for West Virginia are falling one by one.

Our work is far from over. We call on everyone committed to our future to continue to communicate and work together to maximize the potential of the world-class facility to bring innovation to the marketplace and create new opportunities for West Virginia’s coal, natural gas, chemical and other leading industries. With only a few days left to make a final decision, the Alliance has committed to providing any support to the Governor necessary to make this project a reality. 

We are entering a new chapter in the history of West Virginia thanks to the positive momentum created from the discussion today. It’s a proud day to be a Mountaineer.