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

Today is Friday, Jan. 5 

WVU & West Liberty receive grants to fund careers in forestry. A $5.1M grant will support new jobs in WV’s growing tourism industry. This hiking/biking trail is a gem in the Blackwater Canyon. WV partners with LG Electronics to bring more jobs to #YesWV…on today’s daily304.

#1 – From WVU – To properly maintain and care for West Virginia’s diverse landscape, the state needs highly skilled people who are prepared for urban and community forestry careers to improve and maintain the health of trees and green spaces.  

A partnership between West Virginia University and West Liberty University, in cooperation with several local organizations, has been awarded a $1.5 million grant to support urban forest planning, management and job training in Wheeling. This grant comes from the USDA Forest Service’s Urban and Community Forestry Program.  

“There is a high need for climbing arborists, and there is not much training outside of a four-year degree for this profession,” Karen Cox, WVU Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in Ohio County and principal investigator on the grant, said. “This program will create jobs and skilled workers to maintain utility lines, restore power after storms and right-of-ways and improve the care of trees.” 

Read more:

https://extension.wvu.edu/news/2023/12/11/wvu-extension-west-liberty-university-receive-grant-to-train-low-income-residents-for-tree-careers

#2 – From WV NEWS – West Virginia's Department of Tourism is putting a $5.1 million grant to good use. The money will help create new jobs and support the 53,000 jobs that currently exist in the tourism industry.

The U.S. Economic Development Administration provided the grant. The plan is to use the money to support different projects throughout West Virginia.

The grant has already funded programs in K-12 schools across all 55 counties in West Virginia. These programs focus on tourism and hospitality. Various educational and economic departments joined forces to make this possible.

Last year, the department started a new initiative named Tourism Works. The goal is to prepare for an expected increase of over 21,000 tourism jobs annually by 2025.

Read more:

https://www.wvnews.com/news/wvnews/west-virginia-tourism-department-receives-5-1m-grant-to-boost-job-opportunities-and-industry-growth/article_691f97ba-a9b8-11ee-a206-b3f29500dfb6.html

#3 – From ONLY IN YOUR STATE – If you are looking for an exhilarating outdoor mountain biking adventure in West Virginia, the Blackwater Canyon Trail is an absolute must-visit destination. Located in the picturesque Allegheny Mountains, this trail offers a breathtaking experience for hikers, bikers, and nature enthusiasts alike.

Stretching over 10 miles between Thomas and Hendricks, the trail is renowned for its stunning views, diverse wildlife, and challenging terrain.

The trail traverses through dense forests, meanders alongside the scenic Blackwater River, and leads visitors to breathtaking overlooks that showcase the depth and beauty of the Blackwater Canyon. It even passes through the famed Blackwater Falls State Park.

The park is an ideal location from which to base your outdoor adventures. Visit www.wvstateparks.com to reserve lodging.

Read more:

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/west-virginia/gorgeous-little-known-path-wv/

#4 – From YAHOO! – The State of West Virginia and LG Electronics have announced a strategic initiative to grow new business ventures in West Virginia to advance the development of new technologies for renewable energy, healthcare and industries of the future.

The businesses, developed by LG NOVA, LG Electronics' North America Innovation Center, are expected to bring 275 jobs to West Virginia and spur the growth of new technologies, investments and economic development for companies and people in the area, the start of an innovation corridor across the Appalachian Region.

Alongside LG's jobs creation, NOVA West Virginia Investment Fund, an impact fund, plans to channel $700 million in project investments in West Virginia over the next five years to grow these businesses. The project investments will be used for development and growth in West Virginia. 

“This is a tremendous day for our great state," West Virginia Governor Jim Justice said. “This partnership with LG Electronics is a game-changer, and it’s going to create hundreds of good-paying jobs, spur investment in new technologies, and help us build an innovation corridor across the Appalachian region.”

Read more:

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/west-virginia-lg-announce-strategic-213000366.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAALYhCZ81eiH_Ac_kv7dFEIjVtyRnkt6OvkGeYD-zGtSa7Z0LiHxIcM5Z0f2DmdklAOQhyBL52xgFMFlHHJsdCP9UKlZE3ODIpCL9TF-tDMvVUsl5RUEXDuumT23gmETgdlp3-sp5Oq0jLhwJ2T48zlMHuq-qMtz-gVWDCdyDnMHk

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, Jan. 4 

The latest U.S. Census reveals some good news for West Virginia. Charleston Restaurant Week returns on Jan. 30--yum! And the town of Thomas is ranked as the country’s No. 1 hidden gem as well as fourth best mountain town…on today’s daily304.

#1 – From METRO NEWS –  Recent population numbers released by the U.S. Census Bureau show an overall population decline but some trends show change is gradually coming.

WVU economist John Deskins said 4,700 people moved to the state between July 1, 2022, and July 1, 2023. The net migration number is up from about 2,000 last year.

Recent major economic development announcements have fueled that trend, according to Deskins.

“That’s two years in a row now we’ve seen more people move into West Virginia versus the number who moved away,” Deskins said. “I think it’s very encouraging, and we have to keep it up.”

A growing economy becomes a beacon for companies that are expanding or looking for a new home. A growing economic climate creates opportunities for workers and the capacity for businesses to grow.

Read more:

https://wvmetronews.com/2023/12/27/wvu-professor-notes-positive-trends-in-latest-census-figures/

#2 – From WOWK-TV – Charleston Restaurant Week is returning to West Virginia’s Capital City in 2024 to celebrate its 10th year.

According to Charleston Restaurant Week organizers, Buzz Food Service, the event is set to take place this year starting Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024, through Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024. Restaurants participating in the event will serve a three-course meal, and customers will have two options to choose from for each of the three courses. The restaurants will also set their own price points for the meals served during the event.

“It’s the perfect time to get out and try a new restaurant or even enjoy an old favorite,” said Dickinson Gould, Buzz Food Service owner and president. “We invite the Charleston community to come out, support our local establishments and tip generously. Be sure to get your reservations early!”

Follow Charleston WV Restaurant Week on Facebook for updates on participating restaurants and menus.

Read more:

https://www.wowktv.com/news/west-virginia/kanawha-county-wv/charleston-restaurant-week-returns-to-celebrate-10-years-in-2024/

#3 – From METRO NEWS – A few West Virginia winter “hidden gems” aren’t so hidden anymore.

A recent study from “Architectural Digest” found that Thomas, located in Tucker County, was ranked as the #1 hidden gem as well as the fourth-best mountain town in the entire country. Elkins, in Randolph County, was ranked #2, and was ranked as the 30th-best overall mountain town. Marlinton in Pocahontas County was ranked as the #8 hidden gem.

Thomas scored a 95.09 out of 100. The scoring is based on things that make a place a great tourist attraction in the wintertime like snowfall, skiing, restaurants and entertainment.

Jessica Waldo, Executive Director of Tucker County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, said the town of Thomas has turned into a hot spot for local folks and tourists to enjoy music and art. 

Learn more about West Virginia’s charming mountain towns at www.wvtourism.com.

Read more:

https://wvmetronews.com/2024/01/01/study-finds-west-virginia-has-many-hidden-gems-in-overall-mountain-towns-across-u-s/

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, Jan. 3 

Remember Heck’s department store? The History Project presents the story of this WV icon. Visit Harpers Ferry for a sweet treat. And cure your winter blues with a visit to Lewisburg’s Carnegie Hall art exhibits…on today’s daily304.

#1 – From THE HISTORY PROJECT –  From the 1950s through the 1980s, every region had its own discount department store chain and for West Virginia and its neighboring states, Charleston-based Heck’s reigned supreme, even outdistancing K-Mart and Walmart for a while.

Learn more about this local icon on The History Project, The Daily304’s presentation of famous people, places and things that shaped West Virginia.

Watch the video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=N7ieaAMn3J4EuZC5&v=NTkiJweaac0&feature=youtu.be

#2 – From TASTING TABLE – From light-hearted childhood memories of Halloween to the sweet echoes of fleeting romance in the form of heart-shaped chocolate boxes, candy has long represented far more than a tasty confection. 

For Susan Benjamin of True Treats Historical Candy in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, it's a tangible chord to history. "Today, we love [candy], we fear it, and with it, we connect to our past," Benjamin explains to Tasting Table.

Founded in 2010, True Treats is the only historical candy store in the United States that provides customers with a research-based educational confectionery experience. 

At this unique store you can shop for food favorites dating back to the 1500s, from sugar plums and Native American teas, to more familiar classic candies like Milk Duds. Learn more at https://truetreatscandy.com.

Read more:

https://www.tastingtable.com/1481559/true-treats-candy-store-walk-through-confectionery-history/

#3 – From REGISTER-HERALD – Now that the holidays are over, what to do? Check out Carnegie Hall in Lewisburg. The center’s three rotating galleries are set to open Friday, Jan. 5, with winter exhibits by Andrea Brunais, Charles Ferguson and Jim Costa and Builder Levy. 

Andrea Brunais is a juried artist at Tamarack and her work has been exhibited widely in southwest Virginia and southern West Virginia.

Charles “Butch” Ferguson is a self-taught artist who enjoyed a studio at The Greenbrier for many years. His work has been showcased in the West Virginia Culture Center at the State Capitol and the Best of West Virginia at Tamarack.

Jim Costa is an old-time musician/storyteller from Summers County, W.Va. In his spare time he runs Elderhostel programs specializing in early American woodworking and blacksmithing tools.

Builder Levy’s work has appeared in more than 200 exhibitions, including over 50 one-person shows. His photographs appear in more than 50 public collections around the world. 

Visit www.carnegiehallwv.org to learn more.

Read more:

https://www.register-herald.com/news/life/carnegie-hall-exhibits-to-open-during-first-friday-jan-5/article_e716c990-a4f9-11ee-9602-177bdc9d8228.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 Sunday, Dec. 31 

We’re ringing in the New Year with a celebration of economic development in #YesWV. Check out advancements in healthcare, art-inspired literature, aviation products, roofing, and aluminum manufacturing -- all in wild, wonderful WV…on today’s daily304.

#1 – From WV COMMERCE – The Health Plan is a health insurance provider that offers Medicare, Medicaid, WV Chip, and employer, commercial, and self-funded plans. In addition to insurance, they serve members with a wealth of resources that allow them to take control of their health and wellness through self-management tools and a health library and health coaching.

Learn more at www.healthplan.org.

Watch the video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TD26cPUAyNU

 #2 – From WV COMMERCE – Echo-Lit was founded in 2008 in the Charleston, West Virginia home basement of Chris Rice and Jeanne Stevenson and has expanded into what it is today. The company designs original and unique art to inspire and to educate while supporting local artists.

Recently the company began working with the West Virginia Department of Economic Development on exporting its educational art to a global audience.

Learn more at www.echo-lit.com.

Watch the video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiP1BNx9R8k

#3 – From WV COMMERCE – The aviation industry is taking flight in West Virginia! Located at the North Central West Virginia Airport, NorthStar Technologies serves a vital role for the industry whether it’s repairing engines, inspecting and maintaining used parts, or sending teams out to work on aircrafts in the field. 

To order these parts, it could take up to a year. But with equipment obtained with the help of the West Virginia Economic Development Authority, NorthStar Technologies can get planes off the ground in a matter of days.

Watch the video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OhtFYyNR-A

#4 – From WV COMMERCE – Based in Wheeling, Kalkreuth Roofing and Sheet Metal is one of the top roofing contractors in the country and strives to maintain a progressive vision for the future. Not only does Kalkreuth specialize in roofing, but they also have expertise in wall cladding. This comprehensive approach to exterior envelope applications has made us a preferred choice for various markets nationwide.

Watch the video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=PS1v9p_KCdLCUH6e&v=s308-gKXTJc&feature=youtu.be

#5 – From WV COMMERCE – Constellium Rolled Products is a global leader in the development, manufacturing, and recycling of aluminum products and solutions. The Ravenswood manufacturer designs and manufactures advanced alloys and engineered solutions for a range of applications, such as beverage cans, cars, airplanes, and more.

Watch the video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDH_4Kxtfpc

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, Dec. 30 

Plan a getaway to the charming mountain town of Buckhannon. A baker tries out Jennifer Garner’s Cloud Cookies recipe--yum! And celebrate the holidays with the McElroy Family’s Candlenights Spectacular…on today’s daily304.

#1 – From MY BUCKHANNON – Nestled amongst the rolling hills of central West Virginia, Upshur County is the home of delicious cuisine, unique small businesses and a heart-warming, hometown feel that harkens back to the slower-paced era of days gone by.

Thousands of welcoming residents help showcase the unique quirks that make their home among the hills something worth remembering.

Plan a visit to the Pringle Tree, which marks the first permanent settlement west of the Alleghenies in then-Virginia. Here in 1764, brothers Samuel and John Pringle lived in a hollowed Sycamore tree and eventually founded a permanent settlement with other emigrants. 

Read more:

https://www.mybuckhannon.com/four-things-to-do-in-upshur-county-for-first-time-visitors/

#2 – From THE KITCHN –  Who doesn’t love a good baking fail? Especially when it’s courtesy of the endearing and beloved West Virginia expat Jennifer Garner, as posted on her Instagram.

The well-known actress was making a batch of Sarabeth’s Cloud Cookies, and while she made the process look seamless, she ended up with rather flat, brown cookies at the end. Turns out she skimped on using the superfine sugar that the recipe calls for. 

By the end of the video when she made her second attempt, you can tell that the superfine sugar made all the difference for this particular chocolate chip cookie.

Want to know how to make these tasty cookies for yourself? Get the recipe at thekitchn.com.

Read more:

https://www.thekitchn.com/cloud-cookies-recipe-review-23615852

#3 – From McELROY FAMILY – It’s time for another virtual Candlenights Spectacular! This year’s pre-taped extravaganza will feature video segments from the McElroys, as well as appearances from special guests joining in to share their favorite Candlenights traditions! 

All benefits from the show will be donated to Harmony House, which seeks to end homelessness in the Huntington area through permanent housing and supportive service programs.

The show will be available on demand through January 1st, 2024.

Read more:

https://www.themcelroy.family/2023/11/13/23955318/announcing-candlenights-2023

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, Dec. 29 

Rock climbers work to make the New River Gorge more inclusive. The WV SBDC helps a Hardy County EMS team stay afloat. And a WV manufacturer markets The Perfect Axe…on today’s daily304.

#1 – From WV PUBCAST – What’s new in rock climbing and whitewater paddling? 

Climbers have been working to make West Virginia’s New River Gorge more inclusive. And a master craftsman, who makes one-of-a-kind whitewater paddles, remembers some advice.

Tune in to Inside Appalachia to hear these stories and more!

Listen now:

https://wvpublic.org/the-climbing-climate-and-paddle-making-inside-appalachia/

#2 – From WV SBDC – Members of the West Hardy Emergency Medical Services first met Robert “Buc” Hammer, a business coach with the West Virginia Small Business Development Center, near the end of 2021.  

The small town of Moorefield, the seat of Hardy County and where most of the county’s population lives, was about to lose its only emergency medical service. The next nearest service was more than 10 miles away, and in a rural town, that can mean life or death depending on the situation. 

The emergency service had been privately owned, and the small group of emergency workers decided to make it a 501c3 in order to get funding to keep it open. And it worked. But the EMS group needed money for payroll and other expenses. Cue Buc Hammer. 

“What the bank wanted to see was a business plan,” Hammer said. “That’s something we do at the SBDC, as coaches, we help develop a business plan and financial projections.” 

Because the EMS service took on the new classification as a non-profit, they were able to work with the county commission to secure funding for equipment. 

“It was so easy to work with the enthusiasm of the small group that did this, there’s only four of them,” Hammer said. 

Hammer’s background is in healthcare and he was a former CEO of a hospital in Elkins for decades and he says he knew what this meant to the community. 

“I was like them; this was going to happen.” Hammer said. 

Read more:

https://wvsbdc.com/west-hardy-ems-small-town-with-big-heroes/

#3 – From FIRE ENGINEERING – Warwood Tool, a West Virginia manufacturer of superior tools and machinery, has unveiled its latest accomplishment—the Perfect Axe. This state-of-the-art implement was designed to redefine traditional woodcutting and forestry practices.

The Perfect Axe melds wood chopping technology with refined artisanship. Its ergonomically shaped handle is crafted for maximal comfort and control across various proficiency levels. Equipped with an exceptionally sharp edge and thoughtfully proportioned weight, the axe is designed to ensure top-tier effectiveness and pinpoint accuracy.

The Perfect Axe is available for pre-order exclusively via www.warwoodtool.com and will ship to customers in January 2024. 

Read more:

https://www.fireengineering.com/industry-news/warwood-tool-introduces-perfect-axe/#gref

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, Dec. 28 

Bright Futures Learning Services wins WV Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year.  The state’s recent investment in state parks is paying off in visitor spending. And Marshall’s Bill Noe Flight School gets a new plane for Christmas…on today’s daily304.

#1 – From WV SBDC – When Jill Scarbro-McLaury was in the first grade, an observant teacher changed her life. The teacher recognized Jill had a learning disability. Now Jill makes it her business to change the lives of other children with learning disabilities.

In 2007, she founded Bright Futures Learning Services to provide behavioral treatment for children with autism. In 2019, Jill was chosen the SBA’s West Virginia Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year.

In 2012, Bright Futures opened a clinic in a strip mall in Hurricane and eventually spread to three spaces in three buildings. The expanded clinic enabled Bright Futures to enhance its services to include medical as well as educational services.

Eventually, Bright Futures expanded to a house in Winfield. The clinic now contains 14 individual therapy rooms, a group room, a custom-built playground and two sensory-based play rooms with colorful drawings on the walls, fiber optics, black lights, trampolines and motor toys.

SBDC Business Coach Doug Spaulding is working with Bright Futures in strategic areas that will help the business grow. He also nominated Bright Futures for the SBA’s West Virginia Woman-Owned Small Business Award, to be presented May 8 in Fairmont during the national 2019 Small Business Week.

Doug’s nomination described Bright Futures as a company that has more than “11 years of staying power and has grown from a one-woman show to a million-dollar company with 25 employees who work tirelessly to improve the lives of vulnerable children. Bright Futures also serves as a training facility for young professionals and has helped West Virginia’s population of certified ABA providers grow from 17 in 2011 to 65.”

Read more:

https://wvsbdc.com/business-changing-lives-bright-futures-provides-aba-therapy-autistic-children/

#2 – From WV NEWS – West Virginia has been putting a lot of money into its State Park system and it’s been paying off. Officials have put around $87.1 million into various big projects.

Most of the money went to necessary repairs and building upgrades, but some of it went to fun projects. One of them was building a top-notch mountain bike trail at Cacapon Resort State Park. They also built new cabins in a few parks and created more places for people to camp.

The investment has paid off. In 2023, visitors spent about $483 million in the state parks. About $279 million of that was from people who don't live in the state. The numbers showed that for every dollar of tax money given to the State Parks, $18.54 was made. That's money that might not have been there without the park system.

Plan a visit or overnight stay to see some of those improvements for yourself. Visit www.wvstateparks.com to learn more and book accommodations.

Read more:

https://www.wvnews.com/news/wvnews/west-virginias-state-park-investments-pay-off-87-1-million-creates-infrastructure-improvements-and-generates/article_0a5e8ae0-9dbc-11ee-b5b1-ef2f03d023be.html

#3 – From SOURCE – Students and staff gathered recently at the Marshall University’s Bill Noe Flight School near West Virginia International Yeager Airport to welcome in a brand new Cirrus SR20, and a water cannon salute from the 130th Airlift Wing Fire Department greeted it upon its landing. 

This now makes the school’s seventh aircraft to join its fleet.

Flight Instructor and Safety Director Brendan Laughton said the plane comes with the best safety features in the industry for the students to learn aviation with.

“It’s great, it’s a great way to serve the people of West Virginia who want to learn to fly, it’s a technically advanced airplane, it has the best avionics that money can buy in it, and it’s the best way to stay safe here in the mountains, as well,” he said.

Read more:

https://wvmetronews.com/2023/12/14/marshall-universitys-bill-noe-flight-school-adds-new-plane-to-its-fleet/

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.

From the 1950s through the 1980s, every region had its own discount department store chain and for West Virginia and its neighboring states, Charleston-based Heck’s reigned supreme, even outdistancing K-Mart and Wal Mart for a while.