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

Today is Friday, Dec. 8 

Wayne County Schools prepare to go solar and save money. A Berkeley Springs couple grows their business literally--with hydroponics. And check out the latest Wild and Wonderful music video from RiffRaff Arts Collective…on today’s daily304.

#1 – From WVPB –  Wayne County Schools plan to solarize all of their buildings in the county by 2025. In total, up to 10,000 solar panels are expected to deliver as much as 5.33 megawatts of power each year.

The installations are part of a Power Purchasing Agreement between the school system and West Virginia solar installer and developer Solar Holler.

Dan Conant, founder and CEO of Solar Holler, said PPAs take the upfront cost of such a large installation off of entities like Wayne County Schools. 

“Solar Holler’s paying for the panels, the power electronics, the racking, the wiring, and all the labor to install the equipment, and from there, Wayne County Schools is going to be buying the power for the next 25 years off the system at a 20 percent discount,” he said. 

Conant said the agreement will lead to savings for the school system on energy costs.

“We’re going to be cutting Wayne County Schools’ electricity budget by $150,000 in year one, and then the savings will increase every year after that as AEP continues to hike rates,” he said.

Read more:

https://wvpublic.org/wayne-county-to-solarize-all-school-buildings-by-2025/

#2 – From INSIDE GROWER – Not every controlled environment agriculture story starts with a round of investors and a multimillion-dollar glass house or building constructed. Sometimes it starts with a wedding, a CropKing seminar, a couple of poly greenhouses and a concept for growth.

That’s the gist of the story behind Paul and Raynette Mock’s beginnings at Mock’s Greenhouse in Berkeley Springs, now the second-largest hydroponic growing operation in the state. 

Paul Mock is no stranger to growing plants (or Raynette for that matter, a long-time gardener who also worked at a medical center). His father had a bedding plant and field vegetable growing operation that Paul took over in the mid-1980s in Windber, Pennsylvania. After the bedding plant season was finished, he dabbled in hydroponic tomato growing, but didn’t have the dedicated equipment to really make it work.

After Paul and Raynette married, they decided to put their 33-acre property to good use. They took a CropKing class on hydroponics, then purchased a new CropKing greenhouse and two used CropKing poly-covered greenhouses. Their first crops of Bibb lettuce and red greenhouse tomatoes were harvested in 2006.

Today, they operate multiple greenhouses. Most of their produce is sold to Whole Foods and other brokers in the D.C. area. Several local restaurants in Berkeley Springs also purchase their produce, and their retail sales come from farmers markets in the surrounding area. 

Read more:

https://www.inside-grower.com/Article/?articleid=26507

#3 – From BLUEFIELD DAILY TELEGRAPH – Je’dah Madison and RiffRaff Arts Collective have released the third music video in RRAC’s original program, “We Need to Talk,” a movement using music videos and docu-shorts to build bridges, stoke dialogue, and catalyze community healing on Thursday starting at 7:30 p.m.

The “Wild and Wonderful” video features the original music of Madison, a Princeton native. The piece is a reflection of this young artist’s journey and the love she has for this place she calls home. The video is available at theriffraff.net/weneedtotalk, as well as Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube, organizers said.

Read more:

https://www.bdtonline.com/news/wild-and-wonderful-music-video-being-released-nov-30/article_bf41a32c-8d61-11ee-9c4d-3fedbebace28.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 Thursday, Dec. 7 

An organization is helping to introduce EV cars to rural West Virginia. A young New Martinsville baker is competing for a prestigious title (and learn how you can vote for her!). And experience the quiet beauty and solitude of winter hiking…on today’s daily304.

#1 – From WSAZ-TV –  As fleet manager for “Rural Reimagined,” Frederick Walker helps train and educate people when it comes to learning the ins and outs of electric vehicles.

Rural Reimagined is a no-cost program to borrow an EV for two weeks. The only costs are for charging the vehicles and for a three-year Motor Vehicle Record check. It will come with equipment to charge right at home.

The federally funded project, administered through Tennessee Tech University, is intended to introduce EVs to under-privileged areas in five states including West Virginia.

“My wife and I traveled to Maryland from Huntington, and we were able to make that whole trip at no cost because every place we stopped to stay at a motel gave you free charging overnight,” Walker said.

Learn more about it at www.rural-reimagined.com.

Read more:

https://www.wsaz.com/2023/11/30/more-evs-coming-west-virginia/

#2 – From WTRF-TV – From her creative fundraising ideas to her incredible fanbase following to a nod from a famous foodie, 19-year-old baker Breanna “Bre” Herrick from New Martinsville is well on her way.

Her home-based cake and cupcake business is called Bre’s Cupcakin’ Around and to date she has raised $40,000 for local organizations and her community.

And now, “Cake Boss” host Buddy Valastro has chosen Herrick to compete in a national contest that he calls “The Greatest Baker.” If chosen, Herrick could take home the title and be featured in “Bake from Scratch Magazine” plus win $10,000.

To vote for Herrick, visit www.greatestbaker.com/2023/breanna-herrick.

Read more:

https://www.wtrf.com/west-virginia/west-virginia-native-could-be-the-named-the-greatest-baker/

#3 – From WV EXPLORER – While West Virginia has gained worldwide fame as a destination for hiking, some hikers say winter is one of the best times to hike it, whether or not there's snow on the ground.

With its most popular trails free of crowds, hikers can enjoy solitude in winter and witness an environment far different than when the trees are in leaf.

"It's an eye-opening experience," says Levi Moore, an outdoor recreation proponent who's become a dedicated winter hiker. "The environment in winter is completely different."

Visit www.wvstateparks.com or www.wvtourism.com to find some great hiking destinations in Almost Heaven.

Read more:

https://wvexplorer.com/2023/11/29/west-virginia-winter-hiking-destination/

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, Dec. 6 

WV Tourism gets a big boost on the national (and even international) level. A Greenbrier East High School teacher wins an agriculture award. And take a peek behind the scenes at Green Bank Observatory…on today’s daily304.

#1 – From METRO NEWS – West Virginia tourism is making great strides in generating an impact that’s reaching visitors from across the country and around the world.

Tourism Secretary Chelsea Ruby said the state’s direct impact on tourism exceeded $5 billion over the course of 2022, and the overall economic impact exceeded $7 billion in 2022.

In addition, the Department of Tourism has reached over 4.5 billion social media impressions, website page views of up to 56%, and have been seen within over 1,000 placements across major travel publications, she added, noting that West Virginia has made tourism lists in Outside Magazine, Travel and Leisure, Conde Nast and Frommers, among others. 

Over the fall, Ruby said they partnered up with West Virginia Yeager International Airport to support promotional advancements regarding the new Breeze Airways flights that are now available, particularly marketing more to tourists from Florida where Breeze’s main flights come to Charleston from.

And, most recently, West Virginia has garnered national attention by providing a tree for the National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, creating a new promotional avenue to reach out-of-state visitors, particularly those in Washington D.C.

Read more:

https://wvmetronews.com/2023/11/28/west-virginia-tourism-aims-to-continue-expanding-promotional-initiatives-following-recent-success-in-its-reach/

#2 – From THE REAL WV –  Emily Dunkle, who teaches at Greenbrier East High School, has been awarded the prestigious “Turn the Key” Award from the National Association of Agricultural Educators. 

The award recognizes top national agricultural educators from across the country, allowing them the opportunity to polish their pedagogical skills on a national stage representing their state. 

“I am deeply humbled and privileged to have been chosen as the recipient for this amazing program,” says Dunkle. “Agriculture has always held a special place in my heart, and I am genuinely enthusiastic about advocating for its importance.”

The nationwide shortage of teachers is particularly acute among agricultural educators, according to NAEE, and they hope highlighting success stories will encourage more young people to enter and stay in the profession. 

Dunkle was to fly to Phoenix last month to accept the award and receive training. 

Read more:

https://therealwv.com/2023/11/27/dunkle-recognized-among-top-agricultural-educators-in-the-nation/

#3 – From WTRF-TV – Tucked away in the Allegheny Mountain Range in Pocahontas County is the Green Bank Observatory, a historic site designated by the American Physical Society as “the location of some of the most fundamental discoveries in astrophysics and astronomy.”

The Green Bank Observatory is home of the Green Bank Telescope, the world’s largest, fully steerable radio telescope. Scientists and researchers from NASA and across the world use the telescope.

The observatory’s telescopes detect readings that are billions of light years away from Earth, according to the facility’s website. The GBO says it could even “see” your mobile phone even it was in airplane mode and as far away as Mars.

Want to learn more? The facility offers guided tours for the public. Visit www.greenbankobservatory.org to learn more.

Read more:

https://www.wtrf.com/west-virginia/telescope-in-west-virginia-could-see-your-cellphone-in-airplane-mode-as-as-far-as-mars/

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, Dec. 5

The WVDOT invites students to participate in the annual WV Bridge Design & Build Contest. WVU has big plans for a new cybersecurity training center. And a Parkersburg business takes its fine threads worldwide…on today’s daily304.

#1 – From WV BRIDGE DESIGN & BUILD CONTEST – The qualifying round has started for the 2024 West Virginia Bridge Design & Build Contest.

Sponsored by the West Virginia Department of Transportation, the West Virginia Department of Education, BridgeWalk, and West Virginia University Institute Of Technology, the contest is open to all 6-12 grade students enrolled in a West Virginia public, private, or home school. 

The annual event is designed to promote STEM education and career exploration by providing middle school and high school students with a realistic, hands-on introduction to civil engineering. 

The qualifying round ends on March 1, 2024. Register now for a chance to win prizes!

Learn more:

https://wvbridgedesignandbuildcontest.com/

#2 – From WVU – With the ongoing threat of cyberattacks becoming more sophisticated, West Virginia University is launching plans for a cybersecurity range — a specialized software and hardware facility for education, training and research — with $750,000 in grant funding support from the U.S. Department of Education.

The funding is part of a congressionally directed spending package for West Virginia.

“With this grant, we’re creating a cutting-edge, cloud-based cyber range to train more cybersecurity students,” said Anurag Srivastava, Professor and Chairman of the Lane Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering. 

“This initiative is a significant leap forward for our program. We’re immensely grateful for this support, which will empower our students with the skills they need to excel in the cybersecurity landscape.” 

Read more:

https://wvutoday.wvu.edu/stories/2023/11/28/wvu-to-establish-innovative-cybersecurity-education-training-facility

#3 – From WV SBDC – Kreinik Manufacturing Company began as a home-based family business in 1973, selling threads for needle and craft projects. Doug Kreinik joined the business in 1983 and took full ownership in 2008. 

“When my parents first started, they thought it was going to be a little retirement business. At the time they had five employees. Today we have 23 employees and the reach we have is throughout the world,” Kreinik said. 

The company now exports worldwide from its factory in Parkersburg and has received the Governor’s Export Award 24 times for selling to over 20 countries. 

Kreinik attributes part of the company’s success to his good working relationship with the West Virginia Small Business Development Center. 

WV SBDC Business Coach Marsa Myers helped Kreinik find resources and different people to work with to make the business more successful. Their business relationship began about eight years ago and both have enjoyed working together to help make Kreinik Manufacturing Company the best it can be. 

Read more:

https://wvsbdc.com/kreinik-manufacturing-from-a-home-based-family-business-to-a-worldwide-exporter-of-fine-threads/

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.

Feast of the Seven Fishes is hitting Fairmont Saturday, Dec. 9, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.! On this episode of What Makes You Wonderful, we take a peek at how your taste buds will feast like no other. Main Street Fairmont Director Alex Petry gives us all the details on local vendors and chefs gearing up to showcase their culinary magic.

It's the perfect opportunity to gather with friends and family, indulge in mouthwatering treats, and soak up the festive atmosphere. You can find more information here: https://www.mainstreetfairmont.org/event-details/feast-of-the-seven-fishes-1

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

Today is Monday, Dec. 4 

Mountaineer Country serves as a cultural and economic hub of the state. The WVDNR reminds hunters to stay up to date with hunting regulations. And students are encouraged to participate in the WV Poetry Out Loud competition…on today’s daily304. 

#1 – From WV EXECUTIVE –  The home of the West Virginia University Mountaineers and the growing cities of Fairmont, Clarksburg, Morgantown and Bridgeport, Mountaineer Country offers a sense of spirit and pride for West Virginia. This piece of Almost Heaven holds significance as a cultural and economic hub in the state, boasting rich history, educational institutions and a range of industries that contribute to the state’s vitality.

The Morgantown Area Partnership is working on expanding the Chaplin Hill Road exit, attracting retail stores to the WestRidge area, expanding Mountaintop Beverage Company and executing many other expansion and development projects.

WVU Medicine offers transplant services and advanced heart therapies and surgical procedures not offered by other West Virginia health systems. The WVU Health System offers strong programs and services in the areas of cancer, ophthalmology and more. 

The area also supports a robust tourism industry in the form of several state parks and cultural attractions and a vast system of rail-trails. 

Read more:

https://wvexecutive.com/the-pride-of-west-virginia/

#2 – From WVDNR – Hunters, it’s important for you to stay up to date with the current West Virginia hunting regulations as different hunting seasons are available throughout the year. These regulations are your guide to hunting safely in West Virginia.

Visit www.wvdnr.gov to learn about Hunting and Trapping Regulations and Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations. You can also order your hunting and fishing licenses online, find news about trout stockings, and more.

Read more:

https://wvdnr.gov/hunting/hunting-regulations/?_gl=1*1ysvmns*_ga*MTczMTYzMjEzNy4xNzAxMTAwOTU4*_ga_ET342EX0TZ*MTcwMTEwMDk1OC4xLjAuMTcwMTEwMDk1OC42MC4wLjA.

#3 – From WEIRTON DAILY TIMES –  Organizers of the 2024 West Virginia Poetry Out Loud competition invite the state’s public and private high schools, homeschool associations and non-school organizations to hold their own poetry recital contests. Winners may participate in the statewide event.

The Poetry Out Loud event will take place March 8-9 at the Culture Center in the State Capitol Complex. 

Sponsored by the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History, the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation, the competition’s goal is to help students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence and learn about classic and contemporary poetry.

Each winner at the state level will receive $200 and an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., to compete at the national finals. 

The deadline to register is Dec. 8. Visit www.wvculture.org/agencies/poetry-out-loud to sign up.

Read more:

https://www.weirtondailytimes.com/news/community/2023/11/west-virginia-department-of-arts-sets-poetry-recital-contest/

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. 3 

The word of the day is entrepreneurship. Learn how business collaboration strengthens WV communities. Get assistance from business coaches with the WV SBDC. And check out WV BusinessLink for resources and news…on today’s daily304.

#1 – From WV EXECUTIVE – The West Virginia Entrepreneurship Ecosystem, launched in 2018, puts the state at the forefront of a growing movement of collaboration to strengthen communities.

As the catalyst for this collaboration, the WVEE helps aggregate information and synergize those involved in building solutions to avoid duplication of efforts. 

“When we started, there were a handful of people at the table. Several institutions were putting a lot of energy into development and duplicating services and events,” says Bill Woodrum, co-founder of the WVEE. “We realized quickly a need to coordinate efforts and to facilitate a mindset that we can do better by working together.”

Collaborations have resulted in programs like WV BusinessLink, the state’s go-to platform for entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial support organizations. There’s also events like Bridging Innovation Week, which engages thousands annually. 

Within the education system, there’s James Rumsey Technical Institute’s Company Lab, a community- and student-facing entrepreneur center housed within a three-county career and technical education site. 

Several ecosystem partners, including The EdVenture Group, Marshall University, West Virginia Department of Education and West Virginia University have worked collaboratively to launch the state’s first formal entrepreneurship pathway, housed within career and technical education. 

Read more:

https://wvexecutive.com/educating-an-ecosystem/

#2 – From WV SBDC – Do you dream of starting your own business? The West Virginia Small Business Development Center wants to help you fulfill those dreams.

Meet one-on-one with WV SBDC business coaches to receive confidential, no-cost technical assistance to help start and grow your business in West Virginia. We help you identify your goals, develop valuable skills and acquire the necessary resources to make your business a success.

Learn more:

https://wvsbdc.com/

#3 – From WV BUSINESSLINK – West Virginia business leaders and entrepreneurs, get the scoop on the latest news! 

Follow the West Virginia BusinessLink blog for updates on statewide business growth and  advice on helping your business start, grow, and succeed. You’ll also find news from the U.S. Small Business Administration and the West Virginia Secretary of State’s office and more. You’ll find it at www.wvbusinesslink.com.

Read more:

https://wvbusinesslink.com/blog/

#4 – From WV ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT –  With over 111,000+ small businesses, representing over 98% of all businesses, along with employing nearly half of all employees, entrepreneurs and small business owners are the backbone and driving force behind West Virginia’s growing economy.

To help entrepreneurs and small business owners be successful, the State of West Virginia has cultivated and built a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem throughout the state to ensure that you can access the resources you need, when you need it.

Through WV BusinessLink, we provide access to a network of over 150+ regional and statewide resources tailored specifically for entrepreneurs, startups, emerging companies and established businesses – all designed with the same goal in mind: helping small businesses succeed.

Learn more:

https://westvirginia.gov/entrepreneurship/

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. 2 

A new cafe coming to the capital city has some people purring with happiness. Get ready for Charleston’s Lighted Boat Parade on Dec. 9. And West Virginians, learn how you can apply for a Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grant…on today’s daily304.

#1 – From WCHS-TV – A warm and fuzzy business model is moving into the capital city, offering customers the opportunity to combine cuddles and coffee.

The Cups & Cats Café in Charleston will serve as a foster home for furry friends and serve drinks along with food from local vendors.

“The cats are going to be sectioned off in their own little lounge area,” owner Lora Reynolds said. “They have their own separate space...so you can still see them even if you don’t go in.”

Aside from window shopping, the cat café plans to partner with the Charleston-Kanawha Humane Association and the Itty Bitty Kitty Committee, a nonprofit organization that helps felines find forever homes.

The cafe is expected to open at 187 Summers Street sometime in 2024.

Read more:

https://wchstv.com/news/local/cups-cats-caf-coming-to-charleston-in-2024-charleston-kanawha-humane-association-itty-bitty-kitty-committee-adoption-pets?fbclid=IwAR2cilFjfAkrZoRGC4zDIDhHab_P9_S3-Ksf3zJm6pfyGH7BV1tTazMxrNk#

#2 – From CHARLESTON WV – Break out your holiday gear and come join a festive evening along the banks of the Great Kanawha River for Charleston’s annual Lighted Boat Parade.

The event takes place Saturday, December 9, at 6:30 p.m. Boats decorated with Christmas lights will start at the Patrick Street Bridge and make their way up river to the Capitol Complex before returning to the Charleston Levee/Haddad Riverfront Park. 

Learn more:

https://events.charlestonwv.com/event/lighted_boat_parade

#3 – From WVEMD –  The West Virginia Emergency Management Division, in partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, encourages West Virginians to apply for Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grants​.

Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grants are designed to reduce the risk and impact of natural disasters in our state by providing funding for eligible projects that enhance resilience and mitigate potential hazards. These projects can include home elevation or rebuilding a more resilient home. 

These grants play a vital role in strengthening our state's ability to prepare for and respond to natural disasters, ultimately saving lives and reducing property damage. 

West Virginians who wish to apply for Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grants must do so by contacting their County Commission, local emergency management agency, or county Floodplain Manager before December 31, 2023. 

Learn more:

https://emd.wv.gov/About/News/Pages/WV-Homeowners-Hazard-Mitigation-Opportunity.aspx

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. 1 

Holiday shopping got you down? Find the perfect WV themed gift for the outdoor lover in your life. Meet the business and community leaders comprising the 2024 Class of Young Guns. And Morgantown’s Mountaintop Beverage is off to a strong start…on today’s daily304.

#1 – From WV TOURISM – Don’t let long lines and retail nightmares steal your holiday spirit. Buying the perfect gift for everyone on your list is easy this year, especially if they’re a lover of Wild, Wonderful West Virginia and the great outdoors. 

We have something for everyone from your favorite angler to the family fashionista: hunting and fishing licenses, West Virginia themed apparel, West Virginia State Park gift cards and more.

View our gift guide to wrap up your shopping today!

Read more:

https://wvtourism.com/gift/

 #2 – From WV EXECUTIVE – Every year, West Virginia Executive magazine recognizes 10 exceptional West Virginians for their ongoing work to improve the world around them. 

Each Young Gun honoree must live and work in West Virginia, be 43 years of age or younger at the time of induction, excel in their career and be an active participant in their community.

Head over to www.wvexecutive.com to meet the 2024 Class of Young Guns. 

Do you know a local leader making a difference in their community? The magazine accepts nominations year-round.

Read more:

https://wvexecutive.com/introducing-the-young-guns-class-of-2024/

#3 – From METRO NEWS – The 330,000-square-foot Mountaintop Beverage facility in the Morgantown Industrial Park is running at about two-thirds capacity with plans to grow.

The company specializes in the production of dairy products using the aseptic process, a rapid heating process that extends shelf life. 

Mountaintop Beverage employs more than 200 and that number could grow up to 500 as capacity increases. Production is expected to grow substantially when the $70 million new bridge is completed across the Monongahela River, making MIP a true multi-modal facility.

“We have been able to employ fifth-generation farmers, people who are interested in staying in West Virginia, and people who are interested in helping with food insecurity in their communities and regional communities at some point,” People Team Leader Beth Pratt said.

Pratt, together with President and CEO Jeff Sokal, has met with officials from Monongalia County Schools regarding a proposed vocational and college prep facility to train local workers.

Read more:

https://wvmetronews.com/2023/11/26/mountaintop-beverage-off-to-a-strong-start-with-growth-possibilities-and-partnerships-in-the-future/

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, Nov. 30 

The WV Housing Development Fund helps hundreds of West Virginians become first-time homeowners. WV’s own NASA whiz Katherine Johnson will be inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame. And WV’s aviation industry continues to expand… on today’s daily304.

#1 – From WVHDF – Becoming a first-time homeowner is made easier thanks to the West Virginia Housing Development Fund. 

The organization has financed nearly $90 million in new mortgage loans since July, thanks in large part to its competitive interest rates. The WVHDF’s flagship Homeownership Program loaned just over $80 million, including $28 million in October alone, to 411 first-time West Virginia home buyers, helping them achieve the dream of homeownership. 

As a state housing finance agency, the WVHDF can sell tax-exempt mortgage revenue bonds and offer below-market rates to qualified first-time home buyers. Borrowers may qualify for rates as low as 5.83 percent. 

Prospective homeowners can contact the Fund at 800-933-8511 or visit www.wvhdf.com/home-buyers for more information on home loan programs. The organization also partners with more than 60 banks, credit unions, and independent mortgage companies across the state to offer our products. 

Learn more:

https://www.wvhdf.com/news-release-hundreds-become-homeowners-through-wvhdf-loan-programs

#2 – From WCHS-TV –  A West Virginia State University alumna that made her mark on the space industry will be inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame next fall.

Mathematician Katherine Johnson played a vital role in helping NASA launch flights into space, and eventually to the moon in the 1960s. Her story was featured in the book “Hidden Figures,” which was also made into a movie.

It’s the latest in a long list of honors for Johnson. She also was the recipient of a Congressional Gold Medal and a presidential Medal of Freedom.

Fairmont’s NASA facility has been renamed to honor Johnson and a statue of her stands on WVSU’s campus. 

Read more:

https://wchstv.com/news/local/wvsu-alumna-nasa-mathematician-katherine-johnson-to-be-inducted-into-national-aviation-hall-of-fame-space-moon-hidden-figure-congressional-golf-medal-presidential-medal-of-freedom-hidden-figures-dayton-ohio

#3 – From TIMES WV –  The holiday season means a lot of things — seeing loved ones, eating delicious food, decorating the house — the list goes on. It also often means traveling.

A large portion of the angst that comes with travel can be entirely eradicated by using our local airports. North Central West Virginia Airport (CKB), however, offers more than just flights. 

Aircraft manufacturing is a major industry on CKB property. Both Aurora Flight Sciences – a Boeing Company – and Lockheed Martin, two of the largest players in the industry, have a presence here. Between the two, there are pieces of aircraft being welded, painted, and assembled in Bridgeport every day.

Maintenance is another key aspect of the industry. Pratt & Whitney houses a Center of Excellence for corporate turbofan and turboprop engine maintenance, and Engine & Airframe Solutions Worldwide offers a full-service repair facility.

But all these businesses can’t operate without people. Pierpont Community and Technical College hosts their Aviation Maintenance Technology program, and future pilots are trained through the Fairmont State University Aviation Center of Excellence, with a hangar connected to the CKB runway.

These all serve as an example of a rapidly expanding aviation industry in #YesWV.

Read more:

https://www.timeswv.com/community/community_columns/beyond-the-hustle-of-holiday-travel/article_53bc441c-7ffc-11ee-8682-0f5dbe17c7d8.html?fbclid=IwAR1kCQbnl3c3P6O9FMhoDA0FqTR3hvETjeEGCT4V72QSgamk4-xO8MpjaGo

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