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

Today is Monday, July 15, 2024.

It’s a zoo out there, so why not escape to an actual zoological facility where you can view native wildlife in a shaded woodland environment...Capture some amazing Instagram moments during a stay at a cozy state park cabin…and the Division of Rehabilitation Services helps those with disabilities find employment…on today’s daily304.

#1 – From WVDNR – Lions and otters and bears, oh my! You’ll see that and more along the wooded walkway at the West Virginia State Wildlife Center in Upshur County.

The Wildlife Center is a modern zoological facility displaying native and introduced state wildlife. Operated by the Wildlife Resources Section of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, the center is dedicated to presenting visitors a realistic and factual understanding of our state’s wildlife. 

Woodland wildlife can be viewed along a wheelchair-accessible interpretative trail traveling 1.25 miles through a mature hardwood forest. Facilities also include a gift shop and picnic area. Admission is only $4 for ages 16 to adult, $2 for kids ages 6 to 15, and free to kids 5 and under.

Read more:

https://wvdnr.gov/outdoor-recreation/west-virginia-wildlife-center/

#2 – From WV STATE PARKS – West Virginia State Park cabins offer the perfect blend of nature and modern amenities. With over 300 cabins to choose from, you can escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and reconnect with nature while taking the best, most grid-worthy Instagram photos. 

Whether you want a quiet getaway for two or a family vacation, we have the perfect cabin for you, from fully equipped, spacious vacation cabins at Twin Falls and Cacapon Resorts to the rustic pioneer cabins at Kumbrabow and Seneca state forests. 

Some cabins are designated pet friendly so you can bring your four-legged friend along on your family getaway. Visit wvstateparks.com to learn more and book your cozy cabin getaway today!

Read more:

https://wvstateparks.com/these-summer-cabin-stays-in-west-virginia-are-instagram-worthy/

#3 – From WVDRS – The West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) helps high school students and adults with disabilities set work goals and develop career plans. The agency assists individuals, ages 14 and up, to overcome barriers so they can obtain or maintain employment. 

DRS rehabilitation professionals also aid West Virginia’s businesses and employers by being the leading employment resource to include or to retain people with disabilities in their workforce.

Visit wvdrs.org to learn more about how DRS can help you attain your work goals. 

Learn more:

https://wvdrs.org/about/

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, July 14, 2024.

The WVDNR debuts its new dive team, charged with law enforcement on the water…Head to Clarksburg in September for the WV Black Heritage Festival and a stellar entertainment lineup…and learn why Cacapon Resort’s The Old Inn is perfect for your group getaway…on today’s daily304.

#1 – From METRO NEWS – When Colonel Bobby Cales took the reins of the West Virginia Natural Resources Police he had several ideas for specialized teams. One of those was a trained team of divers within the agency. Earlier this month, that idea became a reality.

The team consists of 10 Natural Resources police officers. The group volunteered for the detail and went through a series of demanding physical fitness tests and interviews before being selected for the program. They were trained by diving instructors with the South Carolina DNR, whose dive team has a long history of success.

The Natural Resources Police are the agency charged with law enforcement on the water in the Mountain State. They’re also responsible for all water related investigations. Cales believed the dive team was a natural extension of the responsibility.

“The service this is going to provide for the state is an unmet need in my opinion through our agency. We should have been doing this for years,” he said.

Read more:

https://wvmetronews.com/2024/07/03/dnr-unveils-new-dive-team-for-west-virginia/

#2 – From WV NEWS – The West Virginia Black Heritage Festival will feature a strong entertainment lineup as the annual festival celebrates its 35th year in Clarksburg Sept. 7-8.

The headline act, “Invincible: A Glorious Tribute to Michael Jackson” is recognized as the nation’s premier Jackson tribute act, featuring “a show-stopping performance packed with electrifying energy, dazzling costumes, and the unforgettable moves that made Michael Jackson a legend.”

The festival is much more than entertainment, though, as it celebrates Black culture in West Virginia, with a Friday night block party, Saturday’s opening ceremonies that include the reading of the Emancipation Proclamation and the crowning of festival royalty.

Admission is free. The entertainment schedule can be found at www.wvbhf.com.

Read more:

https://www.wvnews.com/news/wvnews/west-virginia-black-heritage-festival-to-feature-invincible-a-glorious-tribute-to-michael-jackson-during/article_6d100b1e-3d30-11ef-82a4-73876af79f71.html

#3 – From WV STATE PARKS –  Planning a family or class reunion? Bridal party? Work retreat? Whatever the occasion, The Old Inn is the ideal setting for your group get-together. This historic cabin at Cacapon Resort State Park can accommodate up to 32 guests, so it’s spacious enough for the whole group, but cozy enough to allow for quality time together.

Your group can also enjoy the many amenities Cacapon has to offer, including championship golf, horseback riding, boating, hiking, mountain biking and more. There’s even a full-service spa where you can unwind with a massage after a long day of play in the mountains of the Eastern Panhandle.

Visit www.wvstateparks.com to learn more and start planning your Almost Heaven getaway today!

Read more:

https://wvstateparks.com/host-your-next-group-getaway-at-cacapons-historic-the-old-inn/

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, July 13, 2024.

Jobs & Hope tackles the substance abuse crisis by helping those in recovery obtain job training and employment…West Virginia Botanic Garden celebrates the opening of its new visitor center…and Concord University becomes a leader in the increasingly popular e-sports industry…on today’s daily304.

#1 – From JOBS & HOPE –  Do you have a barrier to employment? 

Jobs & Hope West Virginia is the state’s comprehensive response to the substance use disorder crisis. 

Established by Governor Jim Justice and the West Virginia Legislature, this program offers support through a statewide collaboration of agencies that provide West Virginians in recovery the opportunity to obtain career training and to ultimately secure meaningful employment.

Learn more:

https://jobsandhope.wv.gov/

#2 – From DOMINION POST – Local organizations and community members gathered recently to celebrate the opening of the West Virginia Botanic Garden’s new Equitrans Midstream Visitors Center. 

The Visitors Center is housed in a new facility emulating the modern, elegant style of the garden’s popular event venue, The Terrace at Tibbs Run. The facility features an eye-catching gift shop for nature lovers of all kinds, information desk, and rear patio overlooking a garden. Also in the works is the addition of a snack cafe, tentatively projected for summer 2025.

The center is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. For more information, visit WVBG.org.

Read more:

https://www.dominionpost.com/2024/07/01/west-virginia-botanic-garden-celebrates-a-really-special-day-for-the-garden-with-ribbon-cutting-of-new-visitors-center-and-gift-shop/

#3 – From METRO NEWS – E-Sports is a booming industry, and right at the forefront of that meteoric rise is Concord University.

The Athens, West Virginia school made history when it became the first public university in West Virginia to create a competitive program for e-sports, an organized form of video gaming that’s often played in front of spectators.

Since the program began in 2019, the school has fielded National Championship teams nearly every year. The Concord Maroon Team captured the 2024 title in the Eastern College Athletic Conference by taking down Brewton-Parker College.

Concord University’s E-Sports Team Director Austin Clay, who created the “e-sports management” major, says the major is very fluid and conforms to the interests of the students.

“Right now, e-sports is a $2 billion industry and looking to become a $12 billion industry by 2030, so we want to make sure our students coming through Concord, competing in e-sports, can get a job within that industry, as it’s a rapid-growing industry within the tax sector,” Clay said.

Read more:

https://wvmetronews.com/2024/07/07/concord-university-proving-to-be-innovative-in-booming-e-sports-industry/

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, July 12, 2024.

The Office of Minority Affairs embarks on a listening tour throughout West Virginia…”What Makes You Wonderful” visits with The Greenbrier Goat, a pack service on the Greenbrier River Trail…and the New River Gorge CVB teams up with Midland Trail High School to launch a scavenger hunt, with big prizes up for grabs…on today’s daily304.

#1 – From HHOMA – The Herbert Henderson Office of Minority Affairs has launched a listening tour taking place throughout the state over the next few months.

The HHOMA team intends to engage with community members and gather valuable feedback to address their needs. The tour will provide a forum for discussing issues that affect the state’s minority populations. The issues raised at these forums are addressed by partner agencies, and policy recommendations are made to the legislature based on the discussions and feedback gathered across the state.

Upcoming stops include Mount Hope, Parkersburg and Welch. Details will be posted on the agency’s website and Facebook page.

Learn more:

https://minorityaffairs.wv.gov/news/Pages/HHOMA-launches-statewide-listening-tour.aspx

#2 – From WMYW –  What Makes You Wonderful spotlights Aaron Coleman, the innovative owner of The Greenbrier Goat. His service, the only one of its kind in the state, features a pack-goat-powered basecamp tailored for groups of cyclists and day hikers. 

Coleman passionately believes in the therapeutic benefits of nature and animal companionship, providing a memorable and rejuvenating experience for all who visit. Whether you're cycling through scenic trails or embarking on a day hike, The Greenbrier Goat promises an adventure like no other.

Check him out on Facebook, and tune into our podcast!

Listen now:

https://daily304.libsyn.com/wmyw-and-the-greenbrier-goat

#3 – From WVVA – The New River Gorge Convention and Visitors Bureau, in collaboration with sixth grade students from Midland Trail High School, have launched a scavenger hunt called, “North of the New.’

The scavenger hunt will take participants through various locations north of the New River Gorge Bridge where they will search for hidden treasures, answer questions about what they see, and take photos at designated landmarks. 

Those who complete the hunt are eligible to win the grand prize, which includes $500 in gift certificates and New River Gorge gear. Details are posted on the New River Gorge CVB’s website.

Read more:

https://www.wvva.com/2024/07/01/new-river-gorge-cvb-launches-new-scavenger-hunt-tourism-campaign/

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 Thursday, July 11, 2024.

Summer in West Virginia? The possibilities are endless! Start by checking off items on your Summer Bucket List…discover a rewarding career in the corrections industry…and calling all WV entrepreneurs! Walmart wants your product pitches!…on today’s daily304.

#1 – From WV NEWS –  If you ask Chelsea Ruby, West Virginia’s secretary of tourism, to describe summer in the Mountain State, she’ll use works like “boundless,” “limitless” and “endless.”

If you think you’ve done it all, look again. There is so much more. The West Virginia Department of Tourism challenges you to fill up your summer bucket list for a chance to win a fall getaway.

“It’s got things like waterfall, road trip, natural wonder, local restaurant, overnight adventure, water excursion, park and public lands, mountain towns, Almost Heaven swings and hikes,” she said.

The Summer Bucket List follows in the footsteps of Tourism’s immensely popular West Virginia Waterfall Trail. It is designed to encourage folks to get out and see all that the Mountain State has to offer. 

Read more:

https://www.wvnews.com/west-virginias-summer-spectacular-dive-into-a-season-of-endless-fun/article_f74ac1a8-24ca-11ef-8f30-5bf1e426881f.html

#2 – From JOBCASE – Great pay and benefits. Retention incentives. Opportunities for advancement. Does that sound good to you? This is your opportunity to make a difference in your community. Explore a stable and rewarding career with the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

As a correctional officer, you'll play a pivotal role in ensuring public safety, upholding public trust and contributing to a higher purpose. You'll be making a real impact on your community. 

Check out Jobcase.com/WV to learn more and find out who’s hiring!

Learn more:

https://www.jobcase.com/articles/wv-dcr

#3 – From WVNS-TV –  Calling all entrepreneurs! Some Mountain State small business owners could soon have the opportunity to pitch their idea to Walmart and Sam’s Club for them to be sold online or on physical store shelves. 

The pitch event, conducted through Walmart’s 11th annual “Open Call” event, has had great success since the program’s launch in 2014.

Entrepreneurs who secure a “golden ticket” — a deal for Walmart to sell their products in stores or online — can gain access to a vast customer base, enabling significant growth. After earning golden tickets, Open Call winners often go on to grow their manufacturing footprints and create jobs within their local communities. 

Applications for the event are open until July 15, 2024.

Read more:

https://www.wvnstv.com/news/national-news/mountain-state-entrepreneurs-invited-to-make-pitch-to-walmart-through-open-call-event/

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, July 10, 2024. 

The tech industry is booming in #YesWV and Jobcase has the scoop on who’s hiring…Learn more about this emerging industry and how West Virginia fosters a strong business climate…and Vantage Ventures turns business potential into impact…on today’s daily304.

#1 – From JOBCASE – Consider starting or growing your career in technology and innovation in the West Virginia tech ecosystem.

West Virginia is home to a hub of technology companies, tech-focused accelerators, high-tech parks, community colleges and higher education systems. The tech industry is a thriving part of the state, generating $2.5 billion in new job opportunities.

For entrepreneurs, West Virginia fosters tech startups with access to a variety of funding sources.

Sound like something you’d be interested in? Check out Jobcase to learn more about the technology industry and job openings in #YesWV.

Learn more:

https://www.jobcase.com/articles/get-hired-into-west-virginias-tech-ecosystem-2

#2 – From WESTVIRGINIA.GOV – Why does the tech industry say #YesWV?

Technology and information services is an emerging industry in West Virginia. This growing cluster of researchers and practitioners includes university research facilities, government agencies and commercial enterprises.

In fact, the concentration of technology and information services, specifically our leading biometric organizations in north-central West Virginia, has been called the “Silicon Valley of America’s biometrics activity.”

These strengths, combined with our state’s skilled workforce, low cost of doing business and high quality of life make West Virginia a great place to relocate, invest and expand.

Learn more:

https://westvirginia.gov/industries/information-technology/

#3 – From VANTAGE VENTURES –  Backed by world class technology leaders, fortune class companies, and venture investors, Vantage Ventures is an initiative of the John Chambers School of Business and Economics at West Virginia University to launch high impact, scalable businesses that tackle complex challenges.

Vantage Ventures has a modern, tech-forward physical space with a strong entrepreneurial culture and easy access to thought leaders in the beautiful mountains of West Virginia.

By supporting teams of radical thinkers, problem-solvers, and go-getters—and leveraging the untapped talent and resources that exist in West Virginia—Vantage Ventures aims to build companies across data and IOT, infrastructure, life sciences, and security sectors.

Learn more:

https://vantageventures.io/

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, July 9, 2024.

Find out why West Virginia is the perfect location for your next film project -- from supplying a skilled workforce to tax incentives, we’ve got you covered…The WV Department of Economic Development partners with Jobcase to provide free job postings for WV employers…and, complete your summer bucket list for a chance to win a fall getaway in Almost Heaven…on today’s daily304.

#1 – From WV FILM OFFICE – Whether you’re looking for the perfect location for your next film project, or you’re a crew member ready to undertake your next project, the West Virginia Film Office has you covered.

Let us help you secure your perfect location, find skilled workforce, and navigate film permitting.

Here you’ll find an experienced crew, an established statewide network of governmental agencies, nation-leading fiscal incentives, local business leaders and community representatives that are unmatched in hospitality. 

Learn more:

https://westvirginia.gov/wvfilm/

#2 – From JOBCASE – The West Virginia Department of Economic Development has partnered with Jobcase to help West Virginia employers find skilled workers fast. Best of all, the listing is free!

Just click “Post a Job” and have your job description ready. Jobcase will walk you through the rest. Your online posting will be searchable by thousands of jobseekers in your area!

Learn more:

https://hirenow.westvirginia.jobcase.com/purchase/post-now/

#3 – From WV TOURISM – Summer is the perfect time to meet all of your adventure goals in Almost Heaven. Take a hike, plan a water excursion, explore a mountain town…the possibilities are endless!

To assist you with your travels, the West Virginia Department of Tourism has prepared a summer bucket list. Check off items as you complete them for the chance to win a fall getaway!

Visit wvtourism.com to download your summer bucket list and get started planning your adventure. And don’t forget to share your photos on social media using #AlmostHeaven.

Learn more:

https://wvtourism.com/summer-bucket-list/

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.

In this episode of What Makes You Wonderful, we talk to Aaron Coleman, the innovative owner of The Greenbrier Goat. He offers a unique and therapeutic outdoor experience for adventurers in the Mountain State. His service, the only one of its kind in the state, features a pack-goat-powered basecamp tailored for groups of cyclists and day hikers. 

Coleman passionately believes in the therapeutic benefits of nature and animal companionship, providing a memorable and rejuvenating experience for all who visit. Whether you're cycling through scenic trails or embarking on a day hike, The Greenbrier Goat promises an adventure like no other.

For more information: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61554937328767

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

Today is Monday, July 8, 2024.

Wellsburg’s American Muscle Docks & Fabrication serves as a key player in the marine industry…an old turnpike tunnel is repurposed to grow gourmet mushrooms for local restaurants…and get the scoop on great things taking place at this year’s Bridging Innovation Week…on today’s daily304.

#1 – From WESTVIRGINIA.GOV –  American Muscle Docks & Fabrication LLC, based in Wellsburg, West Virginia, has been a key player in the marine industry since its inception. 

Established in 2012, the company’s mission is clear: to construct robust, user-friendly, and visually appealing dock systems and hardware for both commercial and residential use. What sets them apart is their commitment to innovation in manufacturing, ensuring customers receive top-quality products at competitive prices.

Learn more about why this company says #YesWV.

Watch this video:

https://westvirginia.gov/building-stronger-simpler-and-aesthetically-pleasing-dock-systems-amd-continues-to-say-yeswv/

#2 – From CRAVE WV – Tucked away inside one of West Virginia’s beautiful mountains is where you’ll find Hernshaw Farms. They use the Memorial Tunnel along the West Virginia Turnpike to grow a large variety of mushrooms. 

Tune into Crave WV as we talk to them about how they supply local restaurants with gourmet mushrooms and give people across the country to grow their own delicious varieties at home.

Watch the video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=Uk720zVjFeRpYHNs&v=azstAi5e52k&feature=youtu.be

#3 – From WV COMMERCE – This year’s annual Bridging Innovation Week took place in Huntington, West Virginia. Learn about the exciting opportunities happening in the Mountain State for entrepreneurs and small business owners! 

Watch the video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSeIYzF29EU

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, July 7, 2024.

An iconic West Virginia potato chip manufacturer is able to triple its capacity, make new products and hire more people--with financing from the WV EDA…a West Virginia life science company is devoted to slow bone erosion from rheumatoid arthritis…and learn how the Mountain State could be the destination of choice for the popular new sport of FlingGolf…on today’s daily304.

#1 – From EDA.WV – Mister Bee is the only potato chip made in West Virginia. Owner Mary Anne Ketelsen was determined to make sure the brand would be around for generations to come. When she took over in 2018, the operation needed to be completely rehauled. With financing from the West Virginia Economic Development Authority, Mister Bee was able to triple their capacity, make new products, and hire more people.

Watch the video:

https://eda.wv.gov/iconic-potato-chip-manufacturer-is-thriving-with-wveda-support/

#2 – From WV COMMERCE – The life science industry is growing in #YesWV! Dr. John Barnett is hoping to continue his life’s work of slowing down bone erosion for people with rheumatoid arthritis. 

Barnett, the chairman of microbiology, immunology and cell biology at West Virginia University, said that thanks to a recent discovery, he founded ExesaLibero-Pharma, a company that aims to slow or stop bone erosion for arthritis patients. The company name itself is Latin for “without erosion.”

Watch the video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElsEhEW56x0

#3 – From INNOVATORS & ENTREPRENEURS – Jonathan Bellingham is a passionate ambassador of FlingGolf and shares why West Virginia is a great place to try out this new and growing sport.

“ESPN has already filmed two of our tournaments, and I want West Virginia to be the place when people think of a destination for FlingGolf, and we’re well on our way to making that happen,” he said.

Check out the interview on “Innovators and Entrepreneurs,” a bi-weekly segment of the daily304 that features discussions and wisdom from West Virginians who have built their companies and launched new ideas here in the Mountain State.

Watch the video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKSRdFsqmFI

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.