funding to put a new training center on a portion of the new pad site . The remainder of the pad site will be available for additional development .”
The North Central West Virginia Airport in Bridgeport connects this part of West Virginia with the rest of the world . It is served by Allegiant and Contour Airlines and offers direct service to Charlotte , NC ; Destin , Orlando , Tampa and St . Petersburg in Florida ; and Myrtle Beach , SC .
“ Our airport creates thousands of jobs and has an annual $ 1.1 billion economic impact in West Virginia ’ s aerospace industry ,” says Richard Rock , airport director .
An expansion to the airport is underway , including a 53,000-square-foot modern , expandable terminal that will serve the state for decades to come . A new Aerotek park is also included in the expansion .
Broadband has also been taking flight in Mountaineer Country . Prodigi was awarded four lead grants to continue fiber construction in Preston County , and with the most recent grants , one will run broadband into part of Tucker County and one will run broadband into part of Barbour County , Baylor says .
Also on the development front , Mon Power is powering an electric vehicle charger with renewable energy generated by an array of solar panels outside of its headquarters along I-79 in Fairmont . The research and development project includes 28 solar panels and a battery to store the electricity generated by the micro-solar site .
“ As the demand for electricity grows with the increase in electrification of transportation , this micro-solar energy installation is a great way to support the environment while lessening the demand on the energy grid ,” says Jim Myers , president of FirstEnergy ’ s West Virginia operations .
Separately , in August , the West Virginia Public Service Commission approved the company ’ s request to complete three of five planned solar sites in the state . FirstEnergy ’ s West Virginia Solar Program allows customers of Mon Power and Potomac Edison in West Virginia to support renewable energy without the large upfront cost of building their own infrastructure . The companies have subscribed several industrial and commercial customers along with hundreds of residential customers .
Health Care
WVU Medicine is WVU ’ s academic health system , offering transplant services such as heart , kidney , corneal , bone marrow and stem cell and advanced heart therapies and surgical procedures not offered by other West Virginia health systems . The WVU Health System also offers strong programs and services in the areas of cancer , ophthalmology through the WVU Eye Institute and the neurosciences , including neurosurgery , neurology , behavioral medicine and neuroradiology .
“ Offering these unique and highly specialized services enables West Virginians to stay close to home when , or if , they need them versus traveling out-of-state ,” says Albert Wright Jr ., president and CEO of the WVU Health System and board chair of Peak Health .
Keeping West Virginians in-state for their health care was also the inspiration behind WVU Medicine Children ’ s Hospital , which opened in September 2022 . The 150-bed hospital offers 90 specialist providers with the entire range of specialties in pediatrics .
WVU Medicine , in partnership with Marshall Health and other health care providers , has also launched Peak Health , which is a health insurance company built by West Virginia doctors for West Virginians , Wright says .
WVU Medicine Children ’ s Hospital . Photo by WVU Medicine .
Mon Health Medical Center . Photo by Mon Health System .
“ Peak Health is different from other health insurance providers , as we are integrating our hospitals and clinics with it ,” he says . “ That integration is the key differentiator , as doing so creates a level of unity and alignment that most other health systems and health insurers do not have , as they typically work against one another in a win-lose type economic arrangement .”
With its mission being every patient , every time , Mon Health System focuses on the well-being of the communities it serves .
“ We are involved in community organizations , buy services from community businesses , participate in local educational activities , build and construct facilities through community-based companies and so much more as a core employer and health care provider ,” says David Goldberg , president and CEO of Mon Health System and executive vice president of Vandalia Health . “ While doing this , we develop programs to improve the health and wellness of our friends , families and neighbors with empathy , expertise and laser-focused quality care .”
Mon Health Medical Center , Marion Neighborhood Hospital , Preston Memorial Hospital , Stonewall Jackson Hospital and The Village at Heritage Point all make up Mon Health System , which is a member of Vandalia Health .
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