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Photo by Marion County CVB . Photo by Marion County CVB . Photo by Jessica McDonald .
Making Marion County
JEAN HARDIMAN
Marion County is filled with points of pride . It ’ s home to the I-79 Technology Park and Fairmont State University and it ’ s just minutes from West Virginia University in neighboring Monongalia County .
Located along a beautiful drive on I-79 , there are several gorgeous options for outdoor recreation , from cycling , fishing and kayaking to enjoying a concert in the park .
While Marion County is thriving , there is always room for growth . Several forward-thinkers in Marion County are working toward progress in a number of ways , like research and technology , mixed-use property development and out door recreation . A solar test bed project , a new weather station that will track weather conditions in space and a transportation research campus are among the exciting advancements coming to the county . Combine that with the excitement of the new Middletown Commons as well as expansion efforts at Palatine Park and new trails for outdoor enthusiasts , and it ’ s an exciting time to be in North Central West Virginia .
Research and Technology
For a number of years , Marion County has been a hub for technology , thanks in large part to the efforts of the High Technology Foundation , which has worked to build West Virginia ’ s knowledge sector and diversify its economy .
Some of the federal operations already located there are the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ( NOAA ), U . S . Department of Commerce , National Aeronautics and Space Administration and Federal Bureau of Investigation . The organizations that choose to establish locations in the I-79 Technology Park are breaking ground in fields ranging from energy to health care administration to white-collar crime .
According to Jim Estep , president and CEO of the High Technology Foundation , an exciting newcomer to the park is a solar test bed project . It comes after the passage of Senate Bill 583 by the West Virginia Legislature in 2020 , which established a solar utility program in the state .
“ The purpose of the solar test bed project is to conduct research and development that will build upon the momentum generated from this legislation to accelerate the deployment of large-scale solar technology in North Central West Virginia ,” Estep says . “ I believe it ’ s important for us to demonstrate that we
understand the importance of renewable energy to the knowledge sector and are leaning forward to not only catch up but to be a leader and contribute to the transition ,” says Estep .
Estep believes building the foundation for a viable knowledge sector in West Virginia positions Marion County for growth .
“ The I-70 Technology Park has grown to be nationally competitive , especially in terms of power and telecommunications . This provides a number of ancillary benefits for the Marion County business community ,” he says .
Also in the works is a third weather station for NOAA , which will be launching a new satellite called Space Weather Follow On-Lagrange 1 ( SWFO-L1 ) around February 2025 . The I-79 Technology Park will be home to this satellite program ’ s ground station .
“ The purpose of the SWFO-L1 is to study and monitor solar storms , in part , to help protect the Earth ’ s rapidly expanding telecommunications network ,” Estep says .
It will be a partnership with L3Harris Corporation , which won a $ 43.8 million command and control contract in February 2021 . The SWFO-L1 ground station will join two other satellite ground stations already located at the
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