West virginia Commerce Secretary โHighlights Energyโฃ Sector as Key to Future Economic growth
PARKERSBURG,WV – West Virginia is โฃpoisedโ to become a national energyโ provider,according to Secretary of Commerce โฃMatt โฃHerridge,who โspoke Wednesday at the โannualโค joint meeting of the Wood County Development Authority and the Parkersburg-Wood Countyโ Area Development Corporation. Herridge emphasized the need for the state โto adapt and diversify its energy portfolio,moving beyondโค coal to include resources like natural gas to meet growing nationalโค demand.
“We have to adapt and we have to change,” herridge stated. “West Virginia is on the cusp of making those changes.” he noted the increasingโ need for energy to โpower new data centersโ and positioned Westโ Virginia to capitalize on this demand.”West Virginia is going to be the place where it starts and that has brought us a great deal โof attentionโฆwe want to be the place that’s going to provideโข that power to the nation.”
Prior to discussing theโ state’s economic outlook, Herridge highlighted โคthe long-term natureโค of economic development, acknowledging past challenges whileโฃ expressing optimismโ for future growth. “That’s where we are, we’re building strength in this state,” he saeid.
Wood County Economic development Executive Director Lindsey Piersol introduced Herridge, citing his โคexperience โคin both business and hisโข current role as Commerce Secretary as reasons โfor his โขselection asโ the keynote speaker. Piersol also presented the organization’s annual report, detailing recent successes and future plans.
The report revealed the organization revisited 64 businesses to track project progress and assisted โฃinโ bringing 20 new businesses toโค Wood County. Piersol announced three new projects expected toโ create hundreds of jobs,โ and outlined plans to expand the Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Airport, a project anticipatedโ to generate nearly โค700 employment โopportunities.
“When you โwork in economic development, it’s โคeasy to always look for the next thingโฆI โthink โคit’s crucial to know โwhere we started,” Piersol said, emphasizing the importance of recognizing past achievements. โShe concluded โby โthanking attendees for thier commitment to the community.
The Wood County Development Authority is a public entity that โขmeets as needed, while the Parkersburg-Wood County Area Development Corporation is a private entity meeting bi-monthlyโ on the second Wednesday of alternatingโฃ months.
More โdata about Wood County Economic Development can be โfound โฃat www.developwoodcountywv.com.