By Jessica Legge
FAIRMONT — During an annual meeting Wednesday, the I-79 Development Council focused on successes in North Central West Virginia and the state and the important role of biometrics in the area.
“We have an awful lot to be thankful for along the I-79 Corridor,” Chairman Russ Lorince said during the event, held at the I-79 Technology Park Research Center in Fairmont. “We have a lot of talent in the region.”
Although West Virginia has a robust economy, the state has historically set the bar too low and needs to stop competing with itself, he said. If West Virginia sets higher standards and obtains the necessary resources, it will achieve further success.
Lorince said the I-79 Development Council is seeking public and private funding sources for the West Virginia Biometrics Initiative, a project council created to improve biometrics in the state. Mike Kirkpatrick, executive director of the Biometrics Initiative, gave a report of highlights from the past year.
The West Virginia Biometrics Initiative Web site, www.wvbiometrics.org, has received more than 1,000 visits since it was started in August. A newsletter, which is also on the Web site, is sent to companies every week and now has a worldwide audience.
“This is putting North Central West Virginia on the map as far as biometrics and identity management,” Kirkpatrick said.
He said the Biometrics Initiative is looking for businesses to complement existing companies in the area and has already gotten some interest.
Bob McLaughlin, I-79 Development Council president, said support from local companies is essential for these biometrics efforts.
“We do have a very solid foundation in the biometrics industry,” he said.
Larry Puccio, chief of staff for Gov. Joe Manchin, was one of the main speakers during the meeting Wednesday. He said the governor and his office have been actively promoting some of the state’s recent accomplishments.
Puccio reported that West Virginia’s unemployment rate is the lowest recorded in state history, and the economy grew 3.2 percent in the last year. He said the state also had record revenue rates in 2007.
“We believe that ... West Virginia is truly becoming business friendly,” he said. “We do think some great things have been done.”
Puccio pointed out several new economic development projects that have come to the region, including Northrop Grumman’s plans to establish a National Work Force Center in Fairmont. Although the state has made progress with economic development, West Virginia still has a lot of work to do and must fight to overcome challenges, he said.
“We are working every day to bring jobs to our state,” he said.
Daniel Bradley, president of Fairmont State University, provided information on the school’s recent successes.
“We’re trying to be the region’s university,” he said. “I think we’re on a roll.”
Bradley cited the merger of Fairmont State University and Pierpont Community and Technical College, NCA approval of the MBA program, student scholarship and other achievements. He also spoke about Fairmont State’s capital campaign that raised more than $8 million, its GEAR Up Grant, and Title III Strengthening Institutions Grant.
In recent years, the school has seen greater student success, more students at all levels, new faculty, and new and upgraded facilities, Bradley said. FSU is also involved in greater community outreach.
“Fairmont State is a wonderful asset in this region,” Lorince said. “It’s very clear that we have a dynamic educational institution there.”
E-mail Jessica Legge at jlegge@timeswv.com.
