company advance its green initiatives like conserving water and reducing carbon emissions.
“ Our goal is to support local growth while protecting the natural resources that make this region thrive,” he says.
The Eastern West Virginia Regional Airport( MRB) announced the addition of Columbia Aircraft Services in October. Columbia is an aircraft broker for the TBM Aircraft in addition to providing multi-level TBM aircraft maintenance. Their intention is to have a cooperative relationship with Blue Ridge Community & Technical College( CTC) as well as Shepherd and Marshall universities to provide students with aviation-related occupations.
“ We are excited to see this new addition to the multi-faceted aviation community at our airport,” says Nicolas Diehl, executive director and CEO of MRB.
In Morgan County, a new bypass is underway on U. S. Route 522. The southern section of the bypass is now open to local traffic, and the northern section is expected to be completed in 2027.
“ This will help alleviate traffic downtown and make for a safer, more pleasant and attractive environment for residents and visitors going to shops, restaurants and other businesses,” Lyn Goodwin, director of the Morgan County Economic Development Authority, says.
Sean Forney, president of the Morgan County Commission, says the county planning commission recently approved a new subdivision on the southeastern side of the county that will contain more than 55 houses and has purchased Rankins Physical Therapy
Photo by Morgan County Commission. to turn it into a public wellness center called The Well.
“ That has had a really positive impact on overall health and wellness in Morgan County, so we’ re really proud of that,” Forney says.
Education in the Eastern Panhandle is being improved through development as well. Ryan Saxe, superintendent of Berkeley County Schools, says more than 100 new projects have been completed across the district, and four brand-new schools are on the way.
“ Because we are halfway through that process, it’ s now time to make sure we take a reflective look with our community to say,‘ What is left on this 10-year facility plan? Is it still based upon what we need for our enrollment growth and the direction we’ re going as a school system?’” Saxe says.
In terms of legal development, Bowles Rice LLP moved into a new facility in Martinsburg this year, allowing the firm to serve clients in a location that is all its own.
“ We miss our family in downtown Martinsburg, but we are enjoying welcoming our clients and servicing them in our new location,” Alison Cox, attorney at Bowles Rice LLP, says.
Cox also mentions the addition of a 28th circuit containing only Jefferson County, which was previously included in the 27th circuit with Berkeley and Morgan counties.
A new brewery outside of Charles Town, Rippon Brewery and Tap House, will open soon, constructed by Minghinis General Contractors, Inc. Bernice Collins, vice president of Minghinis, touches on the importance of investments like these in the Eastern Panhandle.
“ I love the fact that outside investors are coming into the area to renovate, rejuvenate and revive Martinsburg’ s textile mills,” she says.“ One can see how the surrounding areas are slowly being revived through businesses investing in these areas.”
Education
Whether it’ s through new schools, expansions or forging strong partnerships with local entities, education is flourishing in the Eastern Panhandle.
Many schools across the state are beginning to offer micro-credentials, including Shepherd University, which is also building partnerships with local entities, such as providing free education to county employees.
This year, the university is also celebrating the 50th anniversary of its nursing program, which continues to see strong demand and success.
Photo by Shepherd University.
“ It’ s the 50th anniversary of our School of Nursing, so we’ re going to be doing some things to celebrate that milestone this year,” Fogle says.“ Graduates from our School of Nursing have a 100 % hiring rate, so before they even get their pins, they’ re hired with a job and ready to go.”
Blue Ridge CTC is promoting tourism education through Tourism Works, an online tourist training video offering micro-credentials, certificates and even college credit hours. The program has had more than 2,000 enrollments and 11,938 micro-credentials awarded to date.
“ As I travel throughout the state and talk to people who have completed all four units, I find that they love seeing people from West Virginia talking about their role in tourism,” says Anne Myers,
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