As someone from the opposite side of West Virginia from Berkeley County – I remain stunned by the amount of economic development that our Eastern Panhandle has witnessed in recent times. Every trip I make to the region as the head of the West Virginia Manufacturers Association, I see new employers as well as existing companies expanding who are investing in our state. If it is true that success begets success, your part of the Mountain State is a perfect example of that popular saying.
In talking to my member companies in that area, I understand that your county is in the midst of approving a school bond, so I called my friend Dr. Ryan Saxe who serves as your County Superintendent and was a colleague of mine when I ran the Huntington Regional Chamber of Commerce. Should this school bond be approved, a portion of the funds will go to renovate a former Kmart location into a new and modernized Career & Technical Education (CTE) facility in your county, much like we did with a former Sears department store in Cabell County, which is now the Woody Williams Center for Advanced Learning & Careers in Barboursville. Named for a Medal of Honor recipient and World War II veteran, this new structure took an abandoned building and created a space where both young people and non-traditional students can better themselves and their community. I can say with great confidence that everyone involved in this project sees this new CTE building as a tremendous win for education, economic development, and meeting the needs of current and future employers. You can see and learn more about this facility and its many offerings at the Cabell County Schools website at https://www.cabellschools.com/.
In addition to the renovation of the former Kmart location, the bond funds the development of a new Hedgesville Middle School and additional classrooms throughout the county. These renovations and new construction projects will include the development of CTE programs for middle school students. Bringing the middle school students into career and technical education allows them to see the immediate and long-term impact of the numerous skill and career paths available to them in the future.
My organization and partner companies stand at the ready to lend expertise and assist with curriculum development, staff recruitment and retention, and other areas of support.
I have seen success with this model and I highly recommend a vote in favor of this year’s school bond in Berkeley County and an investment in our people. CTE programs are available to public, charter and home school students as well as adults who are looking to increase skills or change careers. From all projections, our Eastern Panhandle will continue to grow economically and, by providing these types of additional school-to-work educational programs, you are giving more West Virginians means to improve their way of life and contribute to their community. Early voting begins on April 29 and Primary Election Day is May 12.
Bill Bissett, Ed.D.
President, WV Manufacturers Association