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What Governor Jim Justice is calling a “rebranding of West Virginia” puts the Mountain State’s natural scenery at the forefront of a new tourism campaign. Chelsea Ruby, West Virginia’s tourism commissioner, said the goal of the campaign is draw first-time visitors to West Virginia by “sharing the profound longing West Virginians feel for their home” while also inspiring repeat visitors to the Mountain State.

For West Virginia University, the previous year was characterized by initiatives to generate growth and improve the health of the state, and those efforts are primed to move forward in 2018.

West Virginia University President E. Gordon Gee shared optimism that the state’s economy is coming back, but may still keep one eye open at night.

During a session with The Exponent Telegram Editorial Board, President Gee outlined some of his thoughts on the development of West Virginia Forward along with statewide partnerships and initiatives.

Excerpt from the semi-annual WVU State of the University address, delivered on February 27, 2018.

Donna Hoylman Peduto has dedicated her life to education, currently serving as the director of the West Virginia Public Education Collaborative. She was recently named as a 2018 recipient of the Jasper Deahl Award and continues to focus on investing in education to move West Virginia forward.

West Virginia Forward Op-Ed by Dr. E. Gordon Gee, Dr. Jerome Gilbert, and H. Woody Thrasher.

Industrial personal property tax is destructive to the economic health of the state of West Virginia and it puts the Mountain State at a competitive disadvantage when attempting to attract new manufacturing, state officials said. West Virginia is one of only ten states that taxes its industrial business inventory. There is an attempt to remedy that problem - but it takes an amendment to the state's constitution and voter approval to pull it off.

Brooks McCabe shared his perspective on how the I-79 Technology Park in Fairmont and the West Virginia Regional Technology Park in South Charleston are very different types of facilities, with different strengths and different missions, yet both can provide a pathway to West Virginia’s future. Both need the strong support of business, industry and government if their potential is to be fully realized.

An op-ed by Dr. Kendra Boggess, Concord University President: "Education is hope. Education is the key to success. Education is the path forward for West Virginia."