Hope Gas to Purchase Consumers Gas Utility Company
Hope Gas announced an agreement to purchase Consumers Gas Utility Company in West Virginia . This transaction is subject to reviews and approval by the Public Service Commission of West Virginia .
This agreement marks the sixth acquisition transaction by Hope Gas in West Virginia in just over a year . The company previously acquired Equitrans Gathering , Hometown Gas , Peoples Gas WV and Southern Public Gas Company .
The acquisition of Consumers Gas will add approximately 8,500 new customers across Cabell , Jackson , Putnam , Ritchie , Roane and Wayne counties . With this acquisition , Hope expands its service territory to 38 West Virginia counties and will provide service in Wayne County for the first time .
“ Hope Gas has proudly served West Virginia homes and businesses for 125 years ,” says Morgan O ’ Brien , CEO of Hope Gas . “ We are excited to expand our service area in southwest West Virginia . We believe in West Virginia ’ s bright future . The natural resources beneath our feet provide reliable and affordable energy , which is a key piece in attracting other businesses to this beautiful state . Hope Gas will leverage West Virginia ’ s rich energy supply and our distribution system as a benefit to economic development . Our belief in the future of the Mountain State is so strong that our investors at Ullico have committed over a billion dollars in investment in West Virginia in just about a year ’ s time .”
Hope Gas was acquired from Dominion Energy in September 2022 . Since then , Hope has directly added hundreds of family sustaining jobs in West Virginia and invested in improving the state ’ s pipeline infrastructure . In addition , Hope has partnered with contractors to employ more than 400 West Virginians in family sustaining jobs through ongoing pipeline replacement efforts . Hope also has enhanced its partnership with local gas producers to further support their growing businesses across the state . In June 2023 , Hope unveiled its new headquarters office in Morgantown , WV . New state-of-the-art customer contact and gas control centers were opened in the company ’ s Morgantown office in January 2024 .
“ As the only utility company with its corporate headquarters in West Virginia , we dedicate ourselves to providing the highest quality service to our neighbors ,” says O ’ Brien . “ We will continue to invest in West Virginia and will continue to help create family sustaining jobs throughout the Mountain State .
Family Fun Day Event Supports Children with Autism
Community Autism Resources & Education Systems ( CARES ), with support from UniCare and other local organizations , recently hosted the Au-some Family Fun Day in Hurricane , WV , at Valley Park .
Aimed to bring the community together , raise awareness and show unwavering support for autism acceptance , the event raised almost $ 12,000 in support of children with autism and their families .
The event ’ s theme , Celebrate the Force Inside All of Us , was a powerful reminder of the strength and resilience within every child with autism .
“ Organizations such as CARES are a beacon of hope for families , providing essential support , resources and educational programs for autistic individuals ,” says Tadd Haynes , president of UniCare Health Plan of West Virginia . “ UniCare is proud to support an organization that has been instrumental in shaping the lives of countless children by fostering a community of understanding , acceptance and empowerment .”
According to the West Virginia Department of Education , 1 in 80 students received special education services in West Virginia under the autism spectrum disorder educational diagnosis .
This initiative hopes to provide immediate relief and resources for many autistic children in the area who require speech and behavior therapy , along with the development of self-care skills .
The event also featured a sensory walk , where paid participants enjoyed a unique experience designed to engage their senses as they strolled through Valley Park . Following the sensory walk , everyone was invited outside to enjoy family-friendly games , activities and music .
“ At UniCare , we recognize that it can be hard to financially support the treatment needed to help with autistic children ’ s needs ,” Haynes says . “ Our commitment to organizations like CARES and events like this underscore our dedication to ensuring that UniCare can make meaningful strides toward creating healthier , more equitable communities for all .”
Children playing at CARES ’ family fun day in Hurricane , WV .
Huntington Junior College Expands Addiction Recovery Education Efforts
Huntington Junior College ( HJC ) has received approval from the Higher Learning Commission to broaden its popular Substance Abuse Counseling Assistant associate ’ s degree program , which will be renamed Addiction Recovery Counseling Assistant program .
“ There are a limited number of associate degree programs in the country and , more specifically , in our region that prepare you to work with individuals recovering from
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