Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.  

Today is Monday, Feb. 27  It’s maple syrup time and these tasty recipes will have your tastebuds singing…the mountain biking movement continues to grow in Almost Heaven as more trails pop up all over the state…and make plans to attend Cass Scenic Railroad’s Parade of Steam, coming up in June…on today’s daily304.

 #1 – From WV LIVING – It’s maple syrup time! Be sap savvy and use nutrient-rich tree syrups as a replacement for sugar, a glaze to savor, or a rich topping for your favorite treats. It makes pork purr and salad dressings sing. And while you’re at it, expand your repertoire and experiment with other tree syrups, like walnut and sycamore. 

Annie Humes, owner and chief deliciousness officer of Workman Works in Pendleton County, shares some simple recipes that will elevate your culinary creations. 

How about a spicy maple glaze for your beef or pork roast? Or delicata squash glazed with sycamore syrup? Mmmm! Head over to WV Living and check out these tasty recipes and more!

Read more:

https://wvliving.com/tap-palachian-recipes-2/

#2 – From WV Executive – With prime topography in the mountains of Appalachia, mountain biking is growing exponentially in West Virginia as it becomes an international destination for the sport. There are miles of trails throughout the state and new ones continuously popping up to meet the increasing demand. The diverse mountain biking trails allow novices and experts alike to find their perfect ride. 

Check out some of the best trail systems in the state: Cacapon Resort State Park’s 30 miles of biking trails  are quickly becoming known as one of the top mountain biking destinations on the East Coast. And, thanks to a new $3.5 million U.S. Economic Development Administration grant, Cacapon will see another 30 miles of trails built in the next four years.

The growth and large investment in mountain biking trails are being seen in other parts of the state too, mostly spearheaded by grassroots groups of dedicated mountain bikers. The Meeks Mountain Trail Alliance in Hurricane has built 25.5 miles of trails in just four years. By the end of April 2023, the town will have a total of 29 miles of hand-crafted, mixed-use mountain biking, hiking and running trails.

Read more:

https://wvexecutive.com/a-mountain-biking-movement/

#3 – From Mountain Rail WV – Train buffs, you won’t want to miss this! The Parade of Steam returns to Cass Scenic Railroad State Park on Saturday, June 17. 

Attendees will have the opportunity to view all of the  operable steam locomotives from the Cass parking lot as they move down the rails. (Admission is free!)

The legendary locomotives will begin staging at the Cass Depot at 9:30 a.m. The parade will officially begin at 10 a.m. and last for about an hour. 

In the meantime, check out this video of last year’s steam parade. Just listen to those whistles!

Learn more:

https://mountainrailwv.com/tour/paradeofsteam/

Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304.

The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo. 

That’s all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.  

Today is Sunday, Feb. 26 

We’ve got films, films and more films as the WV-based “Feast of the Seven Fishes” streams on Peacock, WVU hosts its second annual Black Film Festival, and Dave Trippin’ rounds up a bunch of festivals and events for your viewing pleasure. 

 #1 – From PEACOCK TV – Grab your popcorn and settle down on the couch! The West Virginia film “Feast of the Seven Fishes” is now streaming on Peacock TV.

The romantic comedy is set in a rust-belt town on the banks of the Monongahela River in 1983. When a nice, working-class, Italian-American Catholic boy brings an affluent, Ivy League, Protestant girl to his family’s raucous traditional seafood fest on Christmas Eve, sparks fly.

The film was shot in Marion County, West Virginia including the towns of Rivesville and Fairmont.

Learn more:

https://www.peacocktv.com/watch-online/movies/feast-of-the-seven-fishes/d42b6ffa-1c64-3578-b562-24ee51d15f8f?fbclid=IwAR0MmKMKjjyNguyl6DAzXjob06MS05Iv0Qafcz3zPX42SP4LEYiV0kh8h68

#2 – From THE DAILY ATHENAEUM –WVU’s Center for Black Culture and Research will host its second annual Black Film Festival from March 31 to April 1. The festival takes place in the Mountainlair Ballroom and Gluck Theater, both located in the Mountainlair on the downtown campus. 

The headlining film will be “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” with a panel discussion following after. It will also feature a red carpet experience, networking opportunities and receptions during lunch and dinner.

“Coming to a predominantly white institution can be overwhelming. It’s hard to find things that you can identify with,” said Eric Jordan, program coordinator at the center. “So this is why we do this kind of niche event about Black filmmakers, Black film directors and Black artists.”

Students and community members are encouraged to submit their films by Feb. 28. Jordan said the films should feature Black artists or artists of color and can be WVU specific.

For more information on the Black Film Festival and where to submit films check out the center’s website.

Read more:

https://www.thedaonline.com/culture/center-for-black-culture-and-research-to-host-second-annual-black-film-festival/article_7ff47326-abed-11ed-b5dc-9381e16d4c9c.html

#3 – From DAVE TRIPPIN’ – Winter is prime time to explore the great indoors and some film events around the region. Here’s a look at just a few regional film screenings and 2023 fests taking submissions.

Come and watch a day of regionally-made films in the majestic, grand movie palace that is the Keith-Albee. This one-day film festival produced by the Marshall Artists Series showcases some new and also award-winning films on Saturday, March 4. Featured films include “Peerless City,” “Picture Proof,” “The Wake-Up Call,” and “The Good Fight.”

The Appalachian Film Festival is back! Last held in 2013, Foundry Theater has collaborated with the original creators of the festival, along with Blenko Glass to restart this tradition of showcasing films created by Appalachian filmmakers. Music videos will be screened Friday, Aug. 18 and the student, short and feature-length selections will be screened Saturday, Aug. 19. The festival will take place in Huntington in the historic Jean Carlo Stephenson auditorium. 

“With the relaunch in 2023, we are accepting films that reflect and celebrate the Appalachian region, searching for filmmakers or projects from the contiguous counties that comprise Appalachia,” said Rachel Allinder, the direct of the Appalachian Film Festival, as well as the host Foundry Theater, at the historic Jean Carlo Stephenson auditorium in downtown Huntington.

Read more:

https://davetrippin.com/lights-camera-screenings/

Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304.

The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo. 

That’s all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.  

Today is Saturday, Feb. 25 

Wheeling mulls installation of solar panels atop Stone Center…WV’s new Commerce Secretary James Bailey outlines his goals…and WV stands to make big gains from a new battery making facility…on today’s daily304.

#1 – From THE INTELLIGENCER – A project to invest nearly a quarter million dollars into solar panels atop the Stone Center in downtown Wheeling is driven not only by the benefits of renewable energy, but also by an ongoing effort to propel economic development in the heart of the city. 

Members of Wheeling City Council are expected to hear a second reading before taking a final vote on an ordinance to spend $240,255 with RED (Regional Economic Development Partnership) for the project.

The Williams Lea Group leases a number of floors at the Stone Center owned by RED. Local officials have been eyeing incentives to not only keep them at the site but also to lay the groundwork that could encourage them to further expand there.

“One of the things they’ve expressed interest in is green power,” said Craig O’Leary, program director at RED. “And so we have worked with Solar Holler to try to find the best way to satisfy their interests and to try to secure a long-term lease in downtown. Between us and the city it’s very important.”

Read more:

https://www.theintelligencer.net/news/top-headlines/2023/02/green-energy-eyed-as-fuel-for-economic-engine-at-stone-center-in-wheeling/

#2 – From WV News – West Virginia Commerce Secretary James Bailey was tapped to lead the state’s most diverse department at the beginning of December.

A veteran civil servant with experience serving several of the agencies within the Department of Commerce, Bailey was appointed by Gov. Jim Justice following the retirement of former Secretary Ed Gaunch.

Bailey said one of his goals is to address staffing shortages within several agencies under Commerce.

“We need to be more flexible in the qualifications that we’re seeking in folks, and we need to be competitive in both our pay and benefit structure,” he said.

The Commerce Department’s annual budget proposal includes a $66.5 million funding increase for the state parks system requested by Justice.

While he said he couldn’t reveal many details yet, a portion of that funding will be used to create two new state parks, Bailey said.

Read more:

https://www.wvnews.com/news/wvnews/bailey-settling-in-to-role-as-new-west-virginia-secretary-of-commerce/article_9f734e42-aee1-11ed-932c-c733943690e8.html

#3 – From SOURCE – Form Energy plans to commercialize a battery that can economically store electricity for 100 hours at its first commercial-scale battery-making facility to be located in Wheeling.

The long duration energy storage could provide vital backup power for hospitals and offices -- especially in rural and remote areas like those throughout West Virginia. 

In an agreement between the Somerville, Massachusetts-based company and the state Department of Economic Development signed last month, Form Energy and its multiday battery would “reform the global electricity system to reliably run on 100% low-cost renewable energy, every day of the year.”

The state agreed to provide Form Energy $290 million and retain ownership of the 55-acre property until the company employs 750 full-time workers. The pact requires the company to meet that employment threshold by the end of 2028.

Read more:

https://www.wvgazettemail.com/news/legislative_session/wv-stands-to-benefit-disproportionately-from-battery-design-form-energy-plans-for-weirton-factory/article_189592e6-4ee0-51f0-bcf0-30d3d4a2dbaa.html

Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304.

The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo. 

That’s all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.  

Today is Friday, Feb. 24  

Make exporting a part of your business strategy -- #YesWV…Generation WV offers a fellowship program for young professionals…and the WVDNR hosts meetings to discuss hunting, trapping and fishing regulations…on today’s dialy304.

 #1 – From WV.GOV – As business continues to go global and the world becomes even more connected, companies that want to grow should consider taking advantage of opportunities that lie beyond their borders. Businesses that don’t, run the risk of getting left behind.

By tapping into new markets, you can increase your revenue, reach new customers and gain a competitive edge in your industry. Here are reasons why you should make exporting part of your business strategy in 2023 if you aren’t already:

• Exporting gives you access to new customers
• Exporting diversifies your revenue.
• Exporting gives you a competitive advantage
• Exporting gives you an opportunity to solve global problems

Want to learn more? Our trade managers can help you with both. Contact the West Virginia Department of Economic Development to get started!

Read more:
https://westvirginia.gov/4-reasons-why-exporting-should-be-part-of-your-business-strategy-in-2023/ 
 
#2 – From WV PUBCAST – Nonprofit group Generation West Virginia is organizing a fellowship program to help retain and advance the careers of young people in the state.

The nine-month fellowship program aims to help workers in their 20s and 30s interested in in-state careers grow their leadership and development skills alongside networking opportunities with fellow young professionals and business leaders.

“A lot of small businesses in West Virginia don’t have the capacity to provide really great, robust professional development opportunities for their teams,” Executive Director Alex Weld said.

 “And so this program is really built in response to that -- how can we support young people in their growth and their efforts to stay here while also supporting companies who have young talent that they want to keep, and they want to grow in into new roles that they otherwise might not be able to support on their own?”

Applications are available online until Feb. 28 on the nonprofit’s website. 

Read more:
https://wvpublic.org/fellowship-program-seeks-to-retain-develop-states-young-workforce/ 

#3 – From WV EXPLORER – The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources will host 12 in-person public meetings in mid-March 2023 to discuss proposed hunting, trapping, and fishing regulations.

The meetings are scheduled at various locations around the state on Monday, March 13, and Tuesday, March 14, from 6 to 8 p.m. All hunters, trappers, anglers, landowners, and other interested parties are invited to attend.

“This informal meeting style allows people to attend at their convenience during the scheduled meeting times, learn about proposed regulation changes, discuss these proposals with personnel from the Wildlife Resources and Law Enforcement sections, and comment on the proposed regulations and other wildlife-related issues,” WVDNR Director Brett McMillion said.
Written comments from the public also are encouraged. The proposals will be posted online before the meetings at WVDNR.gov. 

Read more:
https://wvexplorer.com/2023/02/20/west-virginia-hunting-trapping-fishing-regulations/ 

Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304.

The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo. 

That’s all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.

Henry Louis Gates, Jr. grew up modestly in a blue-collar home while his intellect took him into the stratosphere of academe. Starting at Potomac State College, he went onto study at Yale and Cambridge, and to teach at Cornell, Duke and Harvard.  As an author and critic, he has helped move Western literature out of its European-centered focus. Also a popular tv host in both Great Britain and the United States, he has helped us to shed light on our histories and heritage, burnishing his reputation as a leading world scholar.  

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.  

Today is Thursday, Feb. 23  

Coalfield Development teams with Solar Holler to train 100 new solar workers --#YesWV!...Plan your spring road trip in Almost Heaven…and Wheeling experiences a building boom…on today’s daily304.

#1 – From THE HERALD-DISPATCH – Coalfield Development Corporation and West Virginia-based solar developer Solar Holler have announced a partnership to train 100 new solar workers in the next 18 months.

Leveraging the recently announced award to the ACT (Appalachian Climate Technology) Now Coalition, the two entities will collaborate on innovative strategies to recruit, train and employ local workers in the growing renewable energy industry, officials said.

“Solar has never been more promising in Appalachia, not just because we’re bringing affordable power to more and more folks every day, but because of the ripple effects,” Solar Holler founder and CEO Dan Conant said. “In the beginning, we set out to strengthen local communities and give folks the opportunity to stay and build careers in their hometowns. This partnership will help see that we continue to do just that.”

For more information about the training program, visit https://coalfield-development.org/ 

Read more:
https://www.herald-dispatch.com/business/solar-holler-act-now-announce-training-program-for-solar-workers/article_45a21baa-9286-566c-aecf-2600f9bf4eb5.html 

#2 – From WVNS-TV – As spring creeps closer, people are trying to figure out what places they can go to enjoy as nicer weather begins to shine through. Check out some of these springtime activities and destinations in Almost Heaven:

Satisfy your sweet tooth with a visit to the Lewisburg Chocolate Festival, which takes place April 8. Yum!

Stop and smell the roses … at Ritter Park Rose Garden. The Rose Garden in Huntington’s Ritter Park features more than 3,000 roses and usually reaches full bloom from May through mid-June. 

Read the rest of the list in the WVNSTV article below. You can also visit www.wvtourism.com to find more road trip suggestions in Almost Heaven, West Virginia.

Read more:
https://www.wvnstv.com/news/west-virginia-news/six-springtime-destinations-in-west-virginia/ 

#3 – From THE INTELLIGENCER – Wheeling Mayor Glenn Elliott draws parallels between an 1891 newspaper article and today, saying it’s a positive sign for the city’s growth. 

“A Building Boom: Now at Its Height in this City” was the headline of a story published in the Wheeling Daily Intelligencer on Friday, June 12, 1891. 

The late 1800s signified the beginning to a significant chapter of growth for the Northern Panhandle city, Elliott said, adding that more buildings were built between 1890 and 1910 in Wheeling that probably any other era,

Dozens of private and public projects are under construction, are about to begin, or have recently been completed. Projects include the long-awaited $32 million Downtown Streetscape Project, the $17 million rehabilitation of the historic Wheeling Suspension Bridge.

Additional projects include the rehabilitation of four historic buildings in the 1400 block of Market Street. Funds are also being put into place for an estimated $1.8 million investment into the reconfiguration of the Wheeling Artisan Center.

Read more:
https://www.theintelligencer.net/znewsletter-sunday/2023/02/a-building-boom-wheeling-mayor-sees-similarities-between-progress-of-late-1800s-present-2/ 

Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304.

The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo. 

That’s all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.  

Today is Wednesday, Feb. 22  

The hops are hopping--Charleston’s craft beer scene grows by leaps and bounds…Deer hunters in WV report a very good year…and Elvis is in the building! Hawks Nest State Park presents dinner and a show with Elvis on March 3…on today’s daily304.

 #1 – From FORBES – From the heart of Morgantown to the Ohio-Big Sandy confluence, West Virginia’s craft beer scene has been booming for years, with the state capital of Charleston serving as one of the top destinations for craft brewery crawls. 

Just in the last year, the city added three new breweries to its roster. 

On the corner of Capitol Street, Fife Street Brewing has quickly become a local favorite thanks to its diverse beer selection and flavorful comfort food. Fellow newcomer Short Story Brewing is located just next door, offering a wealth of hop-heavy IPAs that first earned acclaim at the brewery’s original Rivesville location.
Farther north over the Elk River, the family-owned Charleston Nano Brewery has mastered the art of small batch brewing, crafting a constantly-rotating array of ales and lagers for all to enjoy. 

But don’t just rely on our description -- head into Charleston to check out the craft beer scene for yourself. Visit charlestonwv.com to get your free travel guide or stop by Capitol Market to pick one up at the kiosk.

Read more:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/jaredranahan/2023/02/15/charleston-is-west-virginias-hottest-destination-for-craft-beer-lovers/amp/?mibextid=Zxz2cZ&fbclid=IwAR1e9sHBLvLpwMqCOBpngKdGrr1UTzkuQzdbO2MTONy9fuhtGQ8U82or24Q 
 
#2 – From WV Explorer – Deer hunters in West Virginia have had a very good year, according to officials at the W.Va. Division of Natural Resources.

According to preliminary numbers released by the division, hunters harvested 118,606 deer during the 2022–2023 seasons, which is a 12.7 percent increase over the 2021 harvest and 12.2 percent above the five-year average of 105,718.

Division director Brett McMillion lauded the bountiful harvest as an endorsement of the state's fame as a destination for good deer hunting.

“From the start of the archery and crossbow seasons in September to our Mountaineer Heritage season in January and everything in between, West Virginia has some of the most incredible deer hunting opportunities in the eastern United States,” McMillion said.

Visit www.wvhunt.com to purchase your hunting or fishing license.

Read more:
https://wvexplorer.com/2023/02/16/west-virginia-deer-harvest-increases/ 

#3 – From VISIT SOUTHERN WV – Elvis is in the building and we’re all shook up! Enjoy dinner and a show on Friday, March 3 at Hawks Nest State Park.

Performer Lee Dean livens up an audience with music, a little comedy, and a whole lot of fun for all ages. His outstanding Elvis and maybe a little Sinatra pays tributes to both men. The evening begins at 6 p.m. with dinner in the park restaurant, Overlook at the Gorge. The show follows at 7 p.m. in the conference room.
An overnight package that includes dinner and show for two is just $200. Dinner and show only for two is $85. Make your reservation today! Call Hawks Nest State Park at 304-658-5212 ext. 0. 

Visit www.wvstateparks.com and click on Events - Calendar to find more fun activities at state parks and forests.

Read more:
https://visitwv.com/event/swinging-with-elvis-dinner-and-a-show-hawks-nest/ 

Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304.

The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo. 

That’s all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.  

Today is Tuesday, Feb. 21 

Residents of Thomas and Davis share how the mountain towns reinvented themselves into an outdoor recreation hub…from a bundle of inner tubes lashed together to a world-class resort, Adventures on the Gorge traces its origins back to some whitewater rafting hippies…and put a lid on it! That jar you’re opening might be capped off with a product made in Glen Dale--#YesWV…on today’s daily304.

#1 – From BROOKINGS – In this episode of “Reimagine Rural,” podcast host Tony Pipa visits the neighboring towns of Thomas and Davis, former resource-dependent economies that have reinvented themselves as destinations for art and outdoor recreation. 

Tony speaks with long-time residents who saw the community’s decline, and newcomers who helped spur its revitalization. They describe the new challenges that come with economic growth and their hopes for community-focused sustainable development in the future.

Listen to the podcast:

https://www.brookings.edu/podcast-episode/protecting-community-integrity-during-a-creative-transformation-in-west-virginia/

 #2 – From WV EXPLORER – Today it’s one of the world’s first and largest outdoor adventure resorts, but Adventures on the Gorge can trace its roots back 50 years to the earliest days of whitewater rafting in the New River Gorge.  

In the spring of 1969, Paul Breuer and some friends rafted the New River on a set of inner tubes topped with a wood rowing frame. After numerous trips on the river, Breuer launched Mountain River Tours in 1973. It was one of the first companies to offer rafting trips on the New and Gauley rivers. 

As whitewater rafting increased in popularity, more outfitters popped up in the region and waged a friendly competition as they courted guests with lodging, dining, and additional outdoor adventures. 

In 2007, a group of investors with a passion for whitewater rafting and a vision for expanding tourism in the New River region brought together three of the region’s top outfitters—Class VI, The Rivermen, and Mountain River Tours. The investors also acquired the outfitters’ assets, including rafting equipment, cabins, retail facilities, and restaurants…and Adventures on the Gorge was born. Learn more at adventuresonthegorge.com.

Read more:

https://wvexplorer.com/2023/02/14/hippies-new-river-gorge-gauley-whitewater-rafting/

#3 – From THE INTELLIGENCER – Did you know that many of the items Ohio Valley residents eat and use every day were finished off with closures made at the Tecnocap LLC facility in Glen Dale?

The Italian company took over the former Penn-Wheeling Closure site in the Northern Panhandle city when it purchased the company some 15 years ago.

Tecnocap makes closures, or what the average person would call lids, for a variety of well-known brands including Classico, Raos, Village Candle, Anchor Hocking, Smuckers, Barilla, Pfizer, Procter & Gamble, and more. It also makes sauce jar closures for local company Figaretti’s.

One of the company’s newest closures being manufactured in Glen Dale are twist-off caps without sharp edges. The caps will have smooth edges that will a person opening a bottle of beer or other beverage to twist it off with their bare hand instead of having to use a towel or other barrier

“It’s easier to open and retains its vacuum, extending the shelf life of goods,” said Paolo Ghigo, president of Tecnocap LLC. The innovative new cap is named the SuperC.

Read more:

https://www.theintelligencer.net/news/top-headlines/2023/02/put-a-lid-on-it-tecnocap-in-glen-dale-makes-closures-for-many-well-known-brands/

Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304.

The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo. 

That’s all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.  

Today is Monday, Feb. 20  

Wheeling residents hold fond memories of the Stone & Thomas Tea Room…Got a business idea? Enter it in Pitch Southern West Virginia’s competition…and Invest Appalachia secures $19M to help underinvested regions…#YesWV…on today’s daily304.

#1 – From Weelunk – The City of Wheeling is admired for its dedication to businesses, old and new. From restaurants like Later Alligator and Vagabond Kitchen to antique and hobby stores like Shuggy’s and Clutch Gaming, there is simply a lot to keep any person busy. In fact, this bustling history dates as far back as 1847 with the opening of Stone & Thomas department Store
Stone & Thomas closed in 1998, but many Wheeling residents still have fond memories of its Tea Room.

Much like mall food courts in the 21st century, “tearooms” in large department stores had an innovative idea in mind: give customers another reason to keep shopping. Customers could take a break from shopping to enjoy soup, sandwiches, salads, and of course, tea, while being entertained by fashion shows.
Reflecting on childhood shopping trips, Mickey W said, “I thought it was so elegant, and for a little girl, it seemed like a taste of the big city.”

Read more:
https://weelunk.com/tasty-legacy-stone-thomas-tea-room/?fbclid=IwAR2TStyryhGEJ5Ltnu-meFeMzV8L0SRr4bV63ftgimYrJg1VwK0EC2jAzoI 
 
#2 – From WVHIVE – The WV Hive Network, in partnership with WVU Tech Launch Lab, announces its next installment of Pitch Southern West Virginia, a business idea competition encompassing 13 counties in southern West Virginia.

The competition will take place at WVU Tech in Beckley, and is open to entrepreneurs and businesses located in Raleigh, Fayette, Nicholas, Summers, Webster, Pocahontas, Greenbrier, Monroe, Mercer, Wyoming, McDowell, Logan and Mingo counties and WVU Tech students, faculty and staff. 

A grand prize of $2,000 will be awarded. Second and third place winners will receive smaller awards. Prize money must be used to further the business idea. An additional prize will be awarded for the best pitch by a student (or student team) which can be used to further the business idea or education at WVU Tech.

Applications must be submitted by  8a.m. Monday, Feb. 27.

Learn more:
https://wvhive.com/business-idea-competition/ 

#3 – From INVEST APPALACHIA –  Invest Appalachia, a regional social investment platform, has secured $19 million of new investment in the first close of the Invest Appalachia Fund (IA Fund). 

The IA Fund will provide capital to community economic development projects including small businesses, real estate, housing, nonprofit enterprises and community infrastructure. This launch follows six years of collaborative stakeholder design and creates new community-controlled resources and permanent infrastructure for Central Appalachia.

“We need an economy where everyone can see a place for themselves, and Invest Appalachia will help move the region in that direction,” said Andrew Crosson, CEO of Invest Appalachia. “IA is rooted in place and designed to meet the needs of Appalachia’s underserved communities. This deeply collaborative model puts impact and community interests first, while also providing a large-scale opportunity for national impact investors.”
Read more:
https://www.investappalachia.org/news/launch-of-ia-fund 

Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304.

The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo. 

That’s all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.  

Today is Sunday, Feb. 19  

Plan a trip to some spooky destinations in Almost Heaven…the arts and culture industry contribute $1.3 billion -- #YesWV…and the WVDNR reminds hunters and trappers about closing dates coming up…on today’s daily304.

 #1 – From WBOY-TV – Spooky places aren’t just for Halloween. As you make vacation plans for the coming month, consider some of these haunted and offbeat destinations in Almost Heaven West Virginia.

The stone gothic building that houses Moundsville Penitentiary looms over downtown Moundsville. Once a prison, it is now open for tours and offers special haunted tours as well as overnight paranormal investigations.

Or how about the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum? The mental hospital in Weston closed in the 1990s, but visitors still report creepy happenings there.

Museum goers will want to check out the Mothman Museum in Point Pleasant and the Flatwoods Monster Museum in Sutton -- both commemorate the mysterious cryptids that have been sighted in West Virginia for 50 years or more.

Then there’s the quirky Archive of the Afterlife in Cameron, which features a variety of oddities including cursed dolls and a Depression-era embalming table.

To learn more about spooky places in West Virginia, visit wvtourism.com and order your free copy of the 2023 Vacation Guide. 

Read more:
https://www.wboy.com/only-on-wboy-com/paranormal-w-va/these-are-the-best-spooky-places-to-visit-according-to-wv-tourism/ 

#2 – From THE REGISTER-HERALD – Listen to the voices of the West Virginia artists! From storytellers, dancers and musicians to photographers, painters, and writers, artists have something to say every day.

Arts Day at the West Virginia State Legislature on March 2 is a day for the arts community to showcase their contributions to the West Virginia creative economy. The goal is to raise awareness among our policy leaders on how important it is to invest in the arts for every West Virginian.

Research from 2020 shows that arts and cultural economic activity nationwide contributed 4.2 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), or $876.7 billion. In West Virginia, arts and cultural production added $1.3 billion to the state's economy, with over 13,000 jobs.

Continued financial support for our West Virginia artists and arts organizations is critical to keep the arts alive and well. 

Read more:
https://www.register-herald.com/opinion/artistic-voices-raise-the-creative-economy-in-west-virginia/article_571e38b4-a66c-11ed-bff7-5b757dff850e.html 

#3 – From WVDNR – The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources reminds hunters and trappers that the state’s various furbearer trapping and small game hunting seasons will end in February and March.

Hunting and trapping seasons for red and gray fox, bobcat and raccoon will close on Feb. 28. Trapping seasons for coyote, otter, mink and muskrat will also close on Feb. 28. The trapping season for beaver will remain open until March 31. Beaver trappers are reminded that during the month of March, traps must be placed in the water. Trappers should be aware that it is illegal to set traps or leave traps after noon on the last day of the respective season.
To learn more about small game hunting and trapping in West Virginia or to purchase a license, visit WVdnr.gov.

Read more:
https://wvdnr.gov/wvdnr-reminds-hunters-trappers-about-furbearer-season-dates/ 

Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304.

The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo. 

That’s all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.