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.