West Virginia Executive Summer 2017 | Page 92

Citynet Acquires StratusWave Communications Citynet has announced its acquisition of StratusWave Communications from Gateway Telecom, LLC, a privately held telecommunications company based in Wheeling, WV. This purchase allows Citynet to continue to broaden its service footprint while also expanding the services available to current StratusWave customers and the Wheeling business segment overall. Citynet, headquartered in Bridgeport, WV, is a leading provider of telecommunica- tions services. Such services include phone, ultra-high-speed broadband, IT-managed services solutions to small and medium-sized businesses across West Virginia and unified communications, including seamless com- munications between devices and delivery methods such as phone, video, messaging and web conferencing. “This transaction will expand our breadth of service, increasing our ability to provide Citynet’s portfolio of advanced technology services to business customers in the Wheeling market,” says Jim Martin, president and chief executive officer of Citynet. “The transaction also will enable us to leverage StratusWave’s experienced sales force and office staff to help expand the Citynet footprint.” West Virginia State University Awarded $894,000 in Federal Research Grants Addressing Food Security West Virginia State University has been awarded grant funds totalling more than $894,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture for research projects addressing food security. The grants fund two proposed research projects that use genetic techniques to improve the health benefits of certain fruits and vegetables while providing hands-on learning opportunities for 16 graduate and undergraduate students. “To receive this level of funding speaks volumes about the talented research and teaching faculty at State,” says Dr. Orlando McMeans, vice president for research and public service. “These projects directly address the food security needs identified by the USDA with direct impact on both farmers and consumers here in West Virginia.” Highland-Clarksburg Hospital Announces $17.5 Million Expansion Highland-Clarksburg Hospital has an- nounced the expansion of their services in 2018 with the completion of a $17.4 million project. The hospital will be adding a total of 58 beds, 38 of which will be reserved for patients who are seeking substance abuse treatment. The hospital and its staff are being proactive in West Virginia’s fight against the addiction crisis throughout the state. A community health needs assessment survey has identified the needs for North Central West Virginia with drug treatment issues showing the highest demand. Currently, Highland-Clarksburg Hospital has 115 beds. The expansion will boost that number to 173, a 50 percent increase. It is projected that the hospital’s full-time employees will increase to 350 by the end of 2019. The expansion will include an 8,000-square-foot gymnasium, a 200-foot by 110-foot outdoor green space for patients and a day care center for employees. The hospital is working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development Group on the financ- ing of the project. Tyler County Joins the Polymer Alliance Zone ENGINEERING AND LAND SURVEYING SERVICES WITH A PERSONAL TOUCH S & S Engineers, Inc. provides professional engineering and surveying services to municipalities, developers, architects and contractors throughout West Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio and Virginia. S & S has the qualified professionals available to provide services throughout the duration of your project from the initial planning phases through construction completion. 501 Eagle Mountain Road • Charleston, WV • (304) 342-7168 • www.s-s-eng.com 92 WEST VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE Tyler County has been admitted to the West Virginia Polymer Alliance Zone (PAZ), following approval by the PAZ board of directors during the organization’s annual meeting. It now joins the geographic foot- print of the PAZ, which also includes Mason, Jackson, Wood and Pleasants counties. “I want to thank outgoing PAZ Presi- dent Karen Facemeyer and the PAZ board of directors, particularly my develop- ment organization counterparts in Mason, Jackson, Wood and Pleasants counties, for their willingness to bring us aboard and allow Tyler County to share in the market- ing and development assistance benefits, as well as the increased visibility to new business prospects, that come with PAZ membership,” says Eric Peters, executive director of the Tyler County Development Authority. “I believe they agree that we are stronger and can be more successful when we work together as a region and that county lines should not be a barrier to new business investment and employ- ment opportunities.”