Dr. Brian Noland, Chancellor of the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (Commission), released the following statement regarding today’s official transfer of property at the technology park in South Charleston – now the West Virginia Education, Research and Technology Park – to state ownership:

Noland

“Today marks the formal transfer of property as the West Virginia Education, Research and Technology Park becomes our state’s new and unprecedented research and development endeavor. This day was only possible because of the vision of our board and chairman, David Hendrickson; the leadership of Senators Manchin and Rockefeller, Governor Tomblin and our state and local leaders; and the backing of local businesses and communities.

“With their collective support, we were able to immediately save more than 500 jobs at the park, while securing the promise for a new future – one that we hope and believe will see new jobs in start-up companies rooted in innovation and high-tech, high-wage industries that hold great promise for West Virginia’s economy. 

“For our state to grow and diversify, we need to strike a smart balance between holding true to our strongest industries and re-tooling ourselves for the skills needed to work in those jobs and new ones now and in the future.

“Getting there will not be simple, but we have assembled a good team at the park to steer the way in the coming weeks and months, and we have solid recommendations before us thanks to the expertise of Battelle and CH2M HILL. Their sustained guidance combined with ventures that are right around the corner, including the advanced technology center through our Community and Technical College System, are assurances that success isn’t a matter of ‘if’ – it’s a matter of ‘when.’”

With support of then-Governor Joe Manchin and congressional and state representatives, the Commission voted in March of this year to accept a donation of facilities and property from Union Carbide Corporation, a subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company, at its 258-acre technology park in South Charleston.

Since that time, the Commission has led a transition and planning phase leading up to the December 15 transfer of ownership. Through a grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration, the Commission worked with leading firms Battelle and CH2M HILL to map out a long-range strategy for the park’s redevelopment. Their recommendations, which were released in November, will lay the underpinning for planning as new park initiatives move forward. 

For more information, visit www.wvtechnologypark.com.

The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission this week announced the College Foundation of West Virginia has been selected by the Center for Digital Education in a national competition among education-focused websites.  CFWV took top honors in the “Department of Education” category during the Center’s 2010 Digital Education Achievement Awards and Best of Web awards. The awards showcase exceptional K-12 and higher education websites, digital technology projects, and programs that have enriched education for students and teachers.

CFWV, www.cfwv.com, is a free online resource designed to help West Virginia students and families plan, apply, and pay for education and training beyond high school.  Dr. Brian Noland, the Commission’s chancellor said, “CFWV is a one-stop shop designed to simplify the college- and career-planning process by providing useful and engaging tools to help students of all ages explore career and program options, discover and utilize financial aid resources, and build custom portfolios to track their progress in preparing for postsecondary education.  This award speaks volumes of the state’s collaborative work to promote college access opportunities for all West Virginians by streamlining the complex nature of the college search and selection process.”

CFWV is a partnership among the Commission, West Virginia Council for Community and Technical College Education, West Virginia Department of Education, West Virginia GEAR UP, Governor’s 21st Century Jobs Cabinet, and a host of individual college access entities, who have broad expertise in helping students plan, apply, and pay for college. CFWV provides students and their families with the resources needed to make informed decisions regarding all aspects of college- and career-planning.  The Commission worked with the XAP Corporation to develop the site.

Other organizations recognized during the DEAA and Best of Web Awards include: District of Columbia Public Schools; The University of Texas-Pan American; St. John’s Lutheran School, Staten Island, NY; Wayne State University; and University of North Carolina Wilmington.

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…)