this critical ingredient for making the steel that builds , defends and supports America .”
The impact the production of met coal has on West Virginia is similarly significant , generating approximately $ 9.6 billion in total economic activity , supporting about 30,500 jobs , contributing nearly $ 554 million in tax revenue for U . S . state and local governments and producing about $ 2.5 billion in labor income in 2019 .
Jackson County Airport Opens Log Terminal Building
The Jackson County Airport ’ s new terminal building .
The Jackson County Airport recently opened its new terminal building , designed and built by Appalachian Log
Structures . The log cabin design is made with West Virginia hardwoods and the building offers a meeting room , a pilot ’ s lounge and 24 / 7 access to restrooms . From the front , guests have spectacular views of the runway and airport operations , along with the Kaiser Aluminum stack . Funding for the terminal building was made possible by the State of West Virginia and the Federal Aviation Administration .
“ Seeing the new terminal building open just shows how well our community is moving forward with economic development in Jackson County ,” says Airport Manager Ralph Dennis .
Known as The Friendly Airport , the Jackson County Airport finished construction in December 1978 with land being donated from Kaiser Aluminum . The airport has been in operation for almost 45 years and has grown over the last 30 years under Dennis ’ management .
In addition to the terminal building , a few of the upgrades over the years include a taxiway parallel to the 4,000- foot runway that was completed in 2004 . With a safety feature allowing aircraft
to exit the runway much quicker , it allows for more traffic on the runway and the possibility of extending the runway in the future . In 2015 , the airport added new T-hangars , allowing for increased aircraft to be parked on the airfield . In 2018 , HealthNet opened its second West Virginia site at the Jackson County Airport .
Pleasant Valley Hospital Becomes Rivers Health
Mountain Health Network has announced that Pleasant Valley Hospital will now be known as Rivers Health . The new name and branding come after extensive discussions with more than 900 community and staff members .
“ Our community spoke , and we listened ,” says Keith Biddle , COO for Rivers Health . “ They are excited about the future of health care in our area and the possibilities a new name represents .”
The name incorporates the key geographic feature of the area , the two rivers that come together at Point Pleasant — the Ohio and Kanawha . In addition to signaling a new direction , Rivers
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