Business Leaders Supportive Of Governor’s Direction In ’07

The Charleston Gazette, January 11, 2007

Unlike last year, tangible business projects were not the focus of Gov. Joe Manchin’s State of the State address on Wednesday.  That doesn’t mean the business community isn’t pleased with his plans for 2007.

“The governor made a real effort to recap the highlights of the previous year,” said Steve Roberts, president of the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce. “And, as always, he did a great job of helping us all recognize that we can do it.”

In last year’s address, Manchin announced the possible building of a coal gasification plant in Mason County by Appalachian Power, and the new Charleston headquarters of the Okalahoma City-based Chesapeake Energy. In Wednesday’s address, big-ticket business items were limited, but there was still some good news for the business community.

In the last two years, employment in West Virginia is up by more than 18,000 jobs, with about $3.5 billion worth of new business, but the state can do more, Manchin said Wednesday.

“I thought those were grand words,” Roberts said. “We can celebrate our success while keeping us focused and doing even more.”

In the continuation of his “open for business” theme, Manchin called for an incentive that will provide long-term tax credits to companies that create high-paying, high-tech manufacturing jobs in the state. He said the state must also continue to modernize the state’s tax system to eliminate parts that serve as nuisances to businesses.

For Roberts and chamber members, the tax reforms are welcomed. “We think it’s an excellent idea,” he said. “It’s a very targeted program and will help attract good, paying jobs.”

Roberts was also pleased with Manchin’s commitment to developing an educated work force, along with the emphasis on a safe and drug-free work environment.

Manchin said he would continue to work with the Jobs Cabinet to solidify the state’s designation as a 21st Century Skills partner, only the second in the nation. In June, the national board of the 21st Century Skills Partnership will come to Charleston for its annual meeting and best practices institute, he said.

Roberts, who is a member of the Jobs Cabinet, said he was excited about having the national conference in West Virginia . “I think it’s big news and significant that the national meeting will be held in West Virginia ,” he said. “After he announced it, my mind started wandering off on how to help to make that a big success.”

Tom Witt , director of the West Virginia University Bureau of Business and Economic Research, was also impressed with Manchin’s educational initiatives.  “Economic growth will be based on highly educated, highly trained people,” he said. “If we don’t provide educational opportunities to our residents, we are setting ourselves up for disaster.”

Manchin also planned to create the Governor’s Work Force Planning Council to help identify current and future work force needs and communicate these needs to the state’s two-year colleges.

On the technology front, Manchin pledged to make sure all West Virginians have the opportunity to use broadband Internet at home and work “Just like our efforts to expand water and sewer availability in West Virginia , broadband access is an essential piece of infrastructure that is critical to our future success,” he said.  Roberts agreed. “The opportunity to have high-speed Internet will help position us to compete globally,” he said.

Also, the state’s upcoming Web portal will provide a central place for work force development resources, Manchin said.

In other matters, Manchin vowed to crack down on the presence of illegal workers by hiring additional labor inspectors. “If you’re a company that currently utilizes these types of workers, or if you are paying your employees cash under the table, be on notice,” he said.

Witt said he had not studied the effect of illegal workers on the state’s economy, but said it could be a problem in certain areas of the state.

Overall, the business community is excited about the upcoming year and continued economic growth. “I think it is a conservative, forward-looking approach, with strategic investments, particularly in our work force development,” Witt said. “That is an important theme that will resonate with people in our Legislature.”