The Marcellus shale certainly is something we’ve been hearing a lot about lately. But what does it mean for West Virginia’s future?

Marcellus shale has the potential to be the second largest natural gas reserve in the world. In addition to its size, the Marcellus shale is also distinguished by its especially high concentration of ethane. Through a process known as “cracking,” ethane can be converted into ethlyene, the most produced organic compound in the world. Development of a cracker could create hundreds of jobs and bring several billion dollars in capital investment to the state.

The formation is named after an outcrop of the shale near Marcellus, N.Y., and lies beneath eight states. The most easily accessible and gas-heavy portions of the shale are located mostly in New York, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. While developers have known about Marcellus since the 1940s, changes in economics and technology have made the rock a viable source of natural gas.

That “gas” is really several types of gas that result from drilling, including natural gas, ethane, butane and propane. The heavy ethane content must be removed before natural gas enters a pipeline to be transported throughout West Virginia and surrounding states.

It is estimated the Marcellus shale contains enough natural gas to fuel the U.S. for 25 to 30 years.

The ethane content within the Marcellus shale creates an opportunity for West Virginia, and we have to act quickly to take advantage. It can be isolated and processed through a “steam cracker.” The cracker uses high temperatures and high pressure to “convert” ethane into ethylene. The chemical industry transforms ethylene into compounds that find themselves in everything from water bottles to diapers.

Experts estimate that constructing one or more crackers in West Virginia and the subsequent downstream chemical processing facilities would mean between $1 billion and $3 billion in investment.

This wouldn’t be the first time West Virginia would be at the heart of cracking and chemical manufacturing. West Virginia benefited nearly a century ago from the nation’s first cracker in Clendenin. The state and the Charleston Metro Region are well-positioned to once again be a leader in the country’s energy future. With a large supply of ethane, an existing chemical industry and infrastructure, our region can offer attractive reasons to invest in West Virginia.

If we work together to attract the investment and win a crucial race, we can help supply the nation with an environmentally-responsible energy source. That investment would bring new employers and industries. Existing businesses could flourish, and the state’s youth would have a concrete reason to remain in what would be a progressive, exciting and innovative state.

West Virginia can lead the way, but we must act aggressively and responsibly. We face competition from already existing natural gas infrastructure and pipelines to the Gulf Coast and Canada, as well as neighboring states also looking for cracker investment.

The future is literally beneath our feet. Do we continue to stand around? Or do we make our move?   

Rest assured, the Charleston Area Alliance is working with its partners, the transmission industry, the West Virginia Oil and Gas Association, the chemical industry, the Chemical Alliance Zone, the West Virginia Manufacturers Association, government agencies at all levels and other stakeholders to put this project together.

The story below aired yesterday on WSAZ-TV. The Charleston Area Alliance is working to push and promote the potential of cracker plants in West Virginia.

West Virginia could expect more than 2,300 direct jobs from building a plant to convert a Marcellus shale natural gas byproduct into a chemical industry staple.

That’s the estimate that state Commerce Secretary Keith Burdette gave Wednesday to fellow members of the Marcellus to Manufacturing Task Force.

The group held its first meeting since acting Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin formed it earlier this year. Its key goal is to attract and encourage employers that convert ethane into ethylene.

Task force members say Marcellus shale drillers are removing more than enough ethane during refining for a plant to turn it into the widely used chemical compound ethylene.

Burdette said building this $1.5 billion cracker plant would also create 498 indirect jobs while inducing 3,500 more throughout the state’s economy.

In 2010, the West Virginia National Guard

• Deployed more than 1,000 soldiers and airmen for ongoing military operations around the world.
• Answered the call at home when severe flooding, heavy snowfall and other emergencies crippled parts of our state.
• Contributed more than $410 million in salaries, goods and services, construction and education to West Virginia’s economy.
• Supported numerous businesses and institutions in our state and local economy through outsourcing of construction jobs, equipment and vehicle repairs, education benefits and $21 million in federal investment.

We want to show our appreciation.

The Charleston Area Alliance is proud to welcome the National Conference for the United States National Guard Enlisted Association to Charleston in August. The National Guard is important to West Virginia and our nation, and the 130th Air National Guard at Yeager Airport is a critical part of the Charleston regional economy. 

The conference, titled “Almost Heaven 2011, West Virginia,” is scheduled for Aug. 13 to 17.

The National Guard enlisted Association is made up of volunteers from the Army and Air National Guard members, as well as family, friends and anyone who supports the military community. These volunteers have answered the state’s call to duty more than 80 times over the past 15 years, helping during disasters caused by flooding, snow or fire. They have participated in several deployments overseas and at home.

The private, non-profit association is the legislative voice of soldiers, airmen, retirees and their families, educating lawmakers about their needs and most pressing issues. In addition, it provides monetary grants during times of need and offers scholarship opportunities.

We know our community will welcome the as we thank them for their ongoing service.

The Charleston Area Alliance has long supported the National Guard and the Air National Guard, specifically during the BRAC timetable, which could have eliminated the 130^th footprint at Yeager Airport, and through the ongoing efforts of the Alliance partnership with ESGR.

The Alliance sends a heartfelt thanks to the association for choosing Charleston.

To learn how to show support by sponsoring various activities during the conference, visit www.eangwv.org or www.eangus.org.

The Charleston Area Alliance is hosting a luncheon for those interested in franchising opportunities from noon to 1 p.m. May 3.

Dunkin’ Donuts, one of the largest baked goods and coffee chains, is seeking to expand in the Charleston Metro Region as part of its steady growth strategy, which includes growing in existing markets and entering new cities across the country. It is working with the Charleston Area Alliance to expand its footprint and identify potential franchisees.

“We are looking for qualified candidates with foodservice, operations and real estate experience to join our team to help expand the brand’s footprint in Charleston,” said Shawn Caric, franchising manager for Dunkin’ Donuts. “We encourage interested parties to attend the May 3 luncheon to learn how to open a Dunkin’ Donuts restaurant in their community.”

Dunkin’ Donuts offers franchisees flexible design concepts including free-standing stores, end caps, in-line sites, kiosks and gas stations, as well as other retail environments.

Matt Ballard, the Alliance’s president and CEO, said the luncheon will serve as an informational session.

“It’s for those who want to learn more about investing in and opening a restaurant under a popular and proven brand name. We’ll discuss products, processes and dollars and cents,” Ballard said. “As the Alliance helps create the region’s economic future, we are focusing on entrepreneurship opportunities and downtown development as part of our overall outlook. We feel this opportunity fits within that blueprint.”

Dunkin’ Donuts will provide food and beverages for the luncheon. It is free to attend. To RSVP, please contact Danny Forinash at DForinash@CharlestonAreaAlliance.org.

With summer around the corner, businesses throughout the region will soon be bringing on interns and new hires. How to successfully integrate new and potential employees into an organization and maximize investment in their training and development is the focus of the next “inclusion=innovation” educational  program.

“Right From the Start:  Effective Mentoring, Intern and Onboarding Programs,” will be presented noon-1:15 p.m., Wednesday, April 27, at the Charleston Area Alliance, 1116 Smith Street.

“Recruiting and developing new and potential team members is essential to increasing your company’s capacity for innovation and growth and diversifying its intellectual capital,” said Alliance President/CEO Matt Ballard.  “But it doesn’t just happen.  This program will showcase effective local programs that are helping businesses identify and train the next generation of leaders and managers.”

Speakers include:

•  John Gianola, Ernst & Young
• Jessica Wintz, Education Alliance
• Charles Woody, Spilman, Thomas & Battle
• University of Charleston School of Business representative TBA

“Right from the Start: Effective Mentoring, Intern and Onboarding Programs” is a program of “inclusion=innovation,” an initiative of Alliance and Title Sponsor Ernst & Young.  Studies show that diverse teams boost an organization’s innovation and earnings potential. 

“Inclusion=innovation” aims to help businesses and our region benefit from the contributions of all segments of the community.

Registration, which includes lunch, is $15 Alliance members/$25 future members. Register here.

Brent Sears

Sears Monument Company has itself become a monument in the Charleston business community.

Its secret? The customer.

“It’s about treating the customers properly,” said Brent Sears, the company’s owner. “It’s about listening to what they have to say. We’re turning their stories and family histories into permanent monuments, and we take that very seriously.”

The company, which is celebrating its 100-year anniversary, produces and installs civic memorials, markers of granite and stone, signs, remembrance benches and plaques.

“Our product is not a commodity,” Sears said. “We have to know the product well. What kinds of granite hold up the best over time? What is the best way to engrave it? What colors are available? We know that marble just doesn’t hold up as well as granite, for example. We’re informing them of options. Sometimes, they don’t even know what to ask.”

Roy Oscar Sears, a wholesale specialist, founded the company in 1911, choosing Charleston over other locations in West Virginia.

Its original building was located on Kanawha Street, now Kanawha Boulevard, where Charleston Newspapers now sits. In 1927, it moved to Virginia Street, where United Bank’s Charleston headquarters now stands.

Roy’s sons, Jack and Roy, bought the business in 1955. Jack incorporated the business in 1965. By then, Sears had purchased Carmichael Monument Company in Parkersburg and had an office in Beckley. The Huntington sales office opened in 1972, the same year the Charleston location moved to its current home at 124 Virginia St.

“In 1972, this location was on the outskirts of Charleston,” Sears said. “Now, we’re downtown.”

Brent, Jack’s youngest son, became Sears’ president in 1988 and then owner in 2009. His brother, John, manages the Huntington branch. The company now employs 16.

As you can imagine, a lot can change over a century – especially technology. When Sears first opened, the process involved pouring liquid stencil on the granite and allowing it to harden. The design would be hand-cut.

Today, a rubberized stencil on a roll creates the computer design, and sandblasting applies it to the stone. Laser etching allows images and a varity of fonts.

“A customer recently asked if we could put an inloader and dozer on a memorial,” Sears said. “We had stock images, but they asked if it could come from a photo. We were able to do that. Things like that give meaning to the monuments.”

Sears has been a Charleston Regional Chamber, and now Alliance, member since 1976.

“Being an Alliance member allows you to learn about elements of the business community,” Sears said. “It gives you a larger voice and keeps you in touch.”

We salute Sears and are proud to have it as a member of the Alliance family.  Sears has produced hundreds of thousands of monuments over the past 100 years, but the focus on customer service has built one stalwart pillar in Charleston.

The Alliance’s focus is helping other businesses follow the formula of success. Whether through special events such as the Small Business Summit, reguar offerings such as Business After Hours or topical sessions such as SUCCESStrategies, we’re assisting others on their way to the century mark.

This story aired Monday evening on WSAZ-TV.

Dozens of new jobs are coming to the area, many of which require rolling up your sleeves and getting a little dirty.

IVS Hydro just hired 30 people in Wood County. Now, it’s doing the same at its Kanawha County office.

“We do everything here from dry vac work to water blasting to dredge work to paintings and coatings,” IVS Vice President David Dawson said. “Just whatever’s needed here at different sites in the Kanawha Valley.”

IVS Hydro is a West Virginia-based company that does industrial services for many plants in the area. The company just hired 30 new employees and now wants to double that.

“We’re hiring laborers, operators and even supervisors for people who have experience,” IVS CEO Fred Clark said.

Experience in construction, demolition or chemical cleaning is a plus, but the main requirement is a strong work ethic.

“They may not necessarily have the training, but have the motivation and the desire to work in a strong industry and make a career out of industrial service,” Dawson said.

Providing dozens of different services means the workers wear many hats.

“It’s long hours. It’s emergency call out work, so the nature of it is somewhat demanding, and it requires really responsible people to be able to fulfill the jobs,” Dawson said.

The company is having a job fair from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday at its Institute office, located along Route 25.

This story aired this morning on WCHS Radio.

The Charleston Area Alliance presented its plans for downtown development at Charleston City Council Monday.

The group’s chair of the Community Development Committee, John Ruddick, says it’s time for something fresh downtown.

“We’ve had plans previously that have been done, and they’ve kind of run their course.  They’re done,” Ruddick said.  “We need a new plan, a new blueprint for the next 10 years that we can follow.”

Ruddick says the Alliance has been successful in implementing many previous plans.  He says Capital Market, Capital Street redesign, Haddad Riverfront Park and the Clay Center are all examples of the group’s hard work.

Now it’s time to focus on new initiatives like Slack Plaza, Ruddick said.

Other priorities for the Alliance include improving East End and West Side housing possibilities.

“We want to dig into what we’re calling urban housing,” Ruddick said.  “There’s a whole host of problems on the West Side.”

Ruddick says he expects to frequent Council over the coming weeks and months to formulate more specifics.

“We want to work together,” Ruddick said.  “I think the city is committed to the plans.”

Hundreds of area business owners, managers, vendors and young professionals will get insider tips on elevating their success at the inaugural Charleston Small Business Summit & Showcase, to be held tomorrow, March 31.  The event is presented by the Charleston Area Alliance and Frontier Communications at the Charleston Marriott Town Center.  Advance registration will close today, March 30, at 4 p.m. 

Below is updated schedule information and room assignments to help attendees get the most out of their Small Business Summit & Showcase experience:

Showcase/expo set-up:  11 a.m.-1 p.m., Pavilion, third floor

The Showcase is SOLD OUT.  Confirmed exhibitors are asked to set up their displays during this time.

Small Business Summit:  Second floor

1:30-2 p.m.         Registration opens
2-3:15 p.m.         Workshop session 1
3:15-3:30 p.m.   Break
3:30-4:45 p.m.   Workshop session 2

Attendees will have the opportunity to attend two out of the three programs below.   Each program will be presented twice.  Admission is on a first-come, first served basis.

Small Business Sources and Solutions:  Blue Ridge Room
Meet the pros who can connect you with help on financing, planning and other issues

Moderator: Kristina Oliver , State Director, WV Small Business Development Center
Kim Donahue, U.S. Small Business Administration
Tara Elder, WV Women’s Business and Training Center
Monica Miller, Main Street West Virginia
Pat Scott, Kanawha Institute for Social Research and Empowerment (KISRA)

Maximizing Your Marketing Dollar:  Kanawha Room
Learn on how to leverage social media, your website, earned media and other marketing tools to get big results on a small budget

Moderator: Larry Malone, Malone Consulting Services
Laurel Kirksey, YWCA of Charleston
Jim Nestor, Maple Creative
Brent Pauley, Terradon Communications
Mark Wolfe, Mark Wolfe Design

Business Continuity and Disaster Preparedness:  Allegheny Room
When the unthinkable happens, will you be ready?

Bob Roush, Frontier Communications

Charleston Business Showcase/Business After Hours:  5-8 p.m., Third floor pavilion:Extensive Business Showcase  featuring premier businesses and service providers
Networking with hundreds of area decision-makers and small business owners
Festive reception hosted by the Marriott

Advance registration will close today at 4 p.m. There are two ways to take advantage of this great opportunity:

To register for the Small Business Summit workshops and Business Showcase, click here.

To register as an individual for Business After Hours only, click here.

The Alliance cannot invoice for groups of fewer than 10 and is unable to issue refunds for cancellations received less than 48 prior to an event.

This story aired yesterday on WCHS Radio.

There was no shortage of ideas on how to redesign Slack Plaza during a public meeting at the Charleston Civic Center Monday.

The Charleston Area Alliance held a forum where residents were encouraged to give their opinions on plans for the plaza.

Last year, the federal Environmental Protection Agency chose Charleston as one of five capital cities nationwide to be a part of the ‘Greening America’s Capitals’ program.

That program includes a grant to pay for the design portion of the project.  The EPA chose Pittsburgh-based Origin4Design to design the project, with help from the West Virginia University School of Community Design.

On Monday, those planners presented plans to that included adding green space, improving bicycle paths, building kiosks for bus stops, and creating a walkway from Capitol Street to the Charleston Town Center Mall.

WVU Professor of Landscape and Architecture Kathryn Wittner is on the team of designers for the project.  She says the most important thing to consider is feedback from residents.

“What we want is information,” Wittner said. “The best thing we can do is talk to the people who live here and try to understand the best we can what they want from Slack Plaza and what they want from the surrounding area.”

The area has been associated with crime and considered unappealing, Wittner said.  She says changing that image will take work, but it can be done.

Wittner also says the plaza is an example of the kind of project that can revitalize urban areas around the country.

“The bigger picture is actually making this country greener, and healthier and stronger,” Wittner said.  “The smaller picture is actually developing this plaza and creating a space that people can use on a daily basis.”

On Tuesday, designers will draw up plans all day at City Hall.  Wittner says they will present whatever they come up with on Wednesday.

“We’ll probably come up with a lot of overall designs, and look at a lot of detail,” Wittner said.  “On Wednesday morning, we’ll present all of our work.  And then we’ll go back and come up with a report that will probably come out at the beginning of summer sometime.”

If plans are finalized, the city will have to come up with the money for construction.  The EPA grants pays only for the design portion of the project.