West Virginia Executive Spring 2018 | Page 85

Meanwhile, the Wood County Economic Development Office continues to meet with prospective businesses and maintain a strong dedication to existing businesses. “By stimulating economic development opportunities and acting as an information resource for businesses, we can anticipate problems for employers and see opportunities for growth,” says Piersol. In recent years, the City of Parkersburg has worked on several unique projects, including remediating more than 80 slum and blighted properties in economically distressed neighborhoods, facilitating the development of new senior and multi-family housing units and making improvements to the city’s park system. “In an increasingly mobile and interconnected society, place matters,” says Yeager. “Communities that embrace this truth and foster a sense of attachment and pride are more likely to retain and attract businesses as well as a vibrant workforce. Those that do not will continue to struggle in the new economy. To keep moving the ball forward, development officials must collaborate and think outside the box for community and economic development projects to come to fruition. We’re all in this together.” A SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT One of the most exciting developments for the Parkersburg area was the 2017 announcement that Hino Motors Manufacturing USA plans to expand its truck manufacturing and assembly operations in West Virginia. The city and the economic development office were instrumental in helping Hino navigate its plan review and permitting processes. “For Parkersburg and the Greater Mid-Ohio Valley, Hino’s investment represents a second chance to build upon its industrial legacy with smarter technologies and newer business strategies,” says Yeager. “More quantifiably, Hino’s investment means more jobs, tax revenue and optimism for a more robust and diverse economy.” A valued member of the Wood County business community since 2007, Hino’s $100 million investment in the Mountain State and its new Coldwater Creek facility, which was previously owned by the Wood County Economic Development Office, is the largest industrial project in Wood County in more than 70 years. “The expansion of Hino Motors into the former Coldwater Creek plant will result in the retention of 300 jobs and the addition of 250 new jobs by 2020,” says Piersol. “The announcement of this project in September has also piqued the interest of suppliers and vendors that are anxious to locate around the new plant and be up and running in the same timeframe.” A PLAN FOR THE FUTURE Looking ahead, these three close-knit organizations have big plans for the future of their community. Recently designated as one of West Virginia’s Main Street organizations, Downtown PKB will continue to act as a catalyst to highlight downtown Parkersburg, collaborate with other community organizations and promote businesses and events in the downtown district to drive growth and development. “With the Main Street designation, Downtown PKB is updating its strategic plan and refreshing its committees to work on project- specific goals for future growth,” says Shriver. The Wood County Economic Development Office plans to continue fostering a strong economic environment that nurtures growth and investment while attracting sustainable businesses and a quality labor force to its communities, while Yeager’s plans for the future development of Wood County include more employment opportunities in manufacturing, a more vibrant and walkable central business district, rejuvenated neighborhoods and greater access to the city’s recreational amenities. As Aristotle said, the whole of what these organizations have accomplished together is greater than their individual efforts. In short, collaboration has allowed these organizations to form a common message, and that message is this: Parkersburg is primed for growth and opportunity.