Business Developments
From West Virginia wineries to health care expansions, Harrison County’ s business portfolio is quite diverse. Becky Titchenal, president of West Virginia Fruit and Berry, says her business will be celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.
“ We’ re coming out with a couple of new products,” Titchenal says,“ We’ ve been aging a bourbon for more than seven years. It will be a limited-edition, single barrel bourbon with 240 bottles available. We also have a new batch of our 304 Mountain Blackberry Bourbon Whiskey coming out. This will be the fourth batch of this product that we’ ve released.”
In addition to new beverages being introduced, West Virginia Fruit and Berry will be updating its packaging to look more modern and give the brand a more cohesive look across all its products.
Healthy Harrison, a coalition that aims to improve the health and wellness of Harrison County citizens, has successfully launched its Change Your State Challenge in each of the county’ s five middle and high schools.
“ This program is offered to all students who want to improve their health, using tips that enhance mindfulness, movement and nutritional well-being,” says John Nardelli, executive director of Healthy Harrison.
Health is a fundamental pillar of economic growth, which is why partnering with Amy Haberbosch Wilson, economic development director of Harrison County, in her role as the president of Healthy Harrison has been instrumental to the organization’ s success.
“ Amy has effectively bridged the connection between a healthy community and a thriving economy,” Nardelli says.“ Through collaboration, we ensure businesses have the support of a healthy community to enhance workforce recruitment and retention. Additionally, we recognize that prosperous businesses contribute to a growing population of families in the area.”
Healthy Harrison’ s mission is to provide families with essential health and well-being education, fostering long-term improvements in health outcomes and reducing disparities. This investment in overall wellness strengthens the future of North Central West Virginia.
The Cecil B. Highland, Jr. & Barbara B. Highland Cancer Center at WVU Medicine United Hospital Center( UHC) recently received accreditation under the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer( CoC) Accreditation Program. This rigorous evaluation occurs every three years.
“ It is an honor for the cancer center at UHC to be recognized once again as an accredited program by the CoC, as our cancer center has received consecutive approval since
“ This project is designed to move gas from West Virginia into Pennsylvania with a projected third quarter of 2025 in-service date.”
1989,” says Meredith Williams, MPH, RN, OCN, director of cancer services.“ Physicians and staff communicate and collaborate to provide high-quality cancer care to our patients in the region. This approval acknowledges national recognition for the entire cancer care team at UHC.”
Emerging Industries
The North Central West Virginia Airport( CKB) has the longest commercial runway in the state and offers daily flights through Contour Airlines, which partners with American Airlines. Allegiant Air also provides service to Orlando Sanford International Airport as well as seasonal flights to Myrtle Beach, SC; Tampa / St. Petersburg, FL; and Destin-Fort Walton Beach, FL.
Over the past seven years, CKB has invested $ 101 million in development, including a new state-of-the-art passenger terminal slated to open in 2025. The new terminal will be 50,000 square feet and three stories high; have four gates for additional airlines; and is located right off Interstate 79.
As part of this expansion, the West Virginia Aerotech Park was developed, adding
80 acres of land with direct taxiway access for aviation-related industries. The airport serves a 22-county catchment area, attracting travelers from West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Ohio.
The North Central West Virginia aerospace cluster generates an annual economic impact of $ 1.1 billion, supporting major employers such as Aurora Flight Sciences, a Boeing company; Mitsubishi
Heavy Industries; Pratt &
Whitney; Northrop Grumman; Lockheed Martin Corporation; Engine Airframe Solutions; HQ Aero; and KCI Aviation.
Jason Harshbarger, state policy director for Berkshire Hathaway
Energy( BHE) Gas Transmission and
Storage, touches on two projects the company is currently focusing on: the Gateway Extension Project and the Appalachian Reliability Project.
“ The Gateway Extension Project addresses a need for additional natural gas transportation capacity in the Marcellus Shale Region by utilizing parts of the former Supply Header Project located in Doddridge County,” Harshbarger says.“ This project is designed to move gas from West Virginia into Pennsylvania with a projected third quarter of 2025 in-service date.”
Harshbarger says the Appalachian Reliability Project also helps move gas produced in West Virginia into Pennsylvania markets. This project has a completion date of June 2028.
The demand for data centers is increasing in West Virginia due to high energy consumption needs, and conversations are being held about how to power them.
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