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.”

The story below appeared in the Feb. 24 Charleston Gazette.

By Veronica Nett
Staff writer

High fructose corn syrup is “evil,” said Lisa Lineberg, an exercise physiologist and certified fitness nutritionist, at Generation Charleston’s first health awareness event Wednesday.

High fructose corn syrup raises the blood sugar level to the point that the body cannot efficiently process it, Lineberg said. It has been linked to diabetes, and interferes with the body’s production of collagen and elastin, which helps keep the skin tight, she said.

“[It] makes us more soft,” Lineberg said to a crowd of about 30 Charleston residents and members of Generation Charleston at Ferguson Enterprises Wednesday evening.

The class is the first of six events the group will host that focus on the health and wellbeing of state residents, said Julie Cyphers, a Generation Charleston organizer.

Two-thirds of West Virginian adults are obese or overweight, Cyphers said. The classes are a way for Generation Charleston to do its part to educate the community about healthy lifestyle choices, she said.

A tentative schedule of the classes in the yearlong project includes bike safety, smoking cessation and a health screening, she said.

Lineberg also talked to the group about trans fat, which is often found on labels as partially hydrogenated oil and sometimes as soybean oil.

 The consumption of trans fat has been shown to increase cholesterol, interferes with the reproduction process in males and also decreases the nutritional value of breast milk, she said.

“We’re trading a longer shelf life for a shorter life,” she said. (more…)

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.

Elite Men’s Shop, 180 Summers St., is closing its doors. Everything must go from the glass showcase and stock Thursday and Friday.

Find Robert Talbott items for 50 to 70 percent off.

The close-out ends Friday.

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.

Join us Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. at Power Alley Grill for the first Business After Hours of 2010!
Proud Eagle Distributing is co-sponsoring the event.

Click here to register.

Tom Watt – “The Buffett Man” – will be performing. Watt began his Jimmy Buffett Tribute show in Pittsburgh and has been touring the East Coast since. He received the International Guild of Celebrity Impersonators Award for “Best Male Musical Star” and has been Buffett’s photo double for various movies and videos. Learn more at www.tomwatt.com.

The Power will be giving away several door prizes, including a trip for four to Pittsburgh and PNC to watch the Pirates take on Albert Pujols and the St. Louis Cardinals!

Business After Hours also is an excellent networking opportunity.
Park

Registration for is $10 for Alliance members and $20 for future members. 

Prices increase to $15 and $25 at the door.To expedite your registration, you may pay online or contact Deb Coffman for more information.

We are unable to invoice for groups under 10 or issue refunds for cancellations received less than 48 hours prior to the event. Thank you.

The Community Outreach Team of Generation Charleston has announced the beginning of a year-long health awareness campaign in response to West Virginia’s less-than-desirable statistics in the health arena.

Food for thought (pun intended): During 2006, two-thirds of WV adults were either obese or overweight, and the state’s children have not escaped this statistic.

To kick-off this campaign, the group will be hosting a Healthy Cooking Demonstration and Nutrition Talk from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Feb. 24 at Ferguson Enterprises, 160 Spring Street.  The free event will include a short session on “Nutrition 101″ and a cooking demonstration to show how to easily prepare healthy meals that taste good. 

Children are welcome, too. Fun activities will be available.

Is your business prepared for new leadership?  What will happen to your business when upper management retires?  Who will your new leaders be and how can you ensure you are preparing these new leaders for their future roles and responsibilities? If you’re unsure of the answers to these questions, it may be time to implement a succession plan.

Someday, every business owner will exit his or her business. The question is not “whether”, but “when” and “how”. Regardless of whether you plan to transition your company tomorrow or thirty years from now, you need to have a succession plan in place. Succession planning is having a systematic process where managers identify, assess and develop their staff to make sure they are ready to assume key roles within the company.

For practical advice on how to get started, please join us for a “Food for Thought” roundtable discussion on succession planning February 24^th from Noon to1 p.m. at the Charleston Area Alliance. Pre-registration is required.

Bob Simpson of Dixon Hughes and Jack Suttle, formerly of Suttle & Stalnaker, will share the four keys of succession planning and why it’s never too early to get started.

In this fast-paced roundtable you will learn:

• The elements of a quality succession plan (hint: it doesn’t have to be lengthy, just well thought out and well communicated.)
• How to evaluate leadership potential in successors
• How to plan for the future of your employees, customers, suppliers and more.

If you’re a business owner, don’t miss this opportunity to learn from the experts on how to develop a plan to ensure the safety and vitality of the organization you’ve worked so hard to build. (more…)