Greenbrier Valley Economic Development Corporation will hold its regular board meeting at the Rahall Technology and Business Center in Maxwelton, WV on Thursday, Mar. 18, 2010at 3:00 pm. 

The public is invited to attend.

If you wish to add an item to a future agenda please call the number below.

GVEDC telephone:  304-497-4300, Fax:  304-497-4330 or by mail:  P.O. Box 33, Maxwelton, WV 24957.

Agenda Topics

 Call to order

Reading of the minutes

Treasurer's Report

 Directors Report

 Old Business

 New Business

Adjournment

October 1, 2009 The Honorable W. Marion Shiflet, president of the Greenbrier Valley Economic Development Corporation (GVEDC) has announced the hiring of Stephen Weir as its new executive director, effective Oct. 30th.  Weir will be  responsible for administering the economic development efforts of Greenbrier, Monroe and Pocahontas Counties.  His duties will include working with the GVEDC staff on project developoment, new business expansion and business recruitment.

Weir was retained form a pool of 43 applicants after a detailed search by the GVEDC selection committee comprised of Duane Miller, Jake Harmon, Phillip Cain, and Robin Mutscheller, according to Mr. Shiflet.  After a presentation of his credentials and a recommendation by the search committee, Weir was approved by the GVEDC board of directors during a special session on Oct. 1, 2009.

Weir has extensive background as a  economic development professional serving as director of the Business and Industrial Development Division of the Governor's Office of Community and Industrial Development under Governor Gaston Caperton, was also a consultant to the Kanawha Valley Local Port Authority District; President of the South Charleston Area Development Corp.; and executive director of Belmont County (Ohio) Department of Development.

"I'm looking forward to working closely with the GVEDC board and staff in identifying , creating, and implementing economic growth programs for the three counties that make up the Greenbrier Valley development group.  Working together, we can build on the existing development plans, create new opportunities and maximize the region's diverse assest," Weir said.

Warren Smith, President, Sweet Springs Management Company announced today that the lease on the farm at Sweet Springs that is owned by the State of West Virginia was signed today in Agriculture Commissioner Gus Douglas office in Charleston.  The signing of this lease allows the project at Sweet Springs to move forward with development.

Mr. Smith is renovating the old Sweet Springs Hotel and Resort to its original condition when built in the late 1700's.  Plans are to have a 150 room world class hotel with all the amenities.  Additionally, plans are being developed for an 18 hole golf course at the site and on the farm that is leased from the State of West Virginia.

GVEDC staff has been working for almost two years with Mr. Smith in the development of this project.  Additional plans are to bottle water for sale.  The plant is complete and is project to start producing in the very near future.

The Womens Business Center celebrated the power of entrepreneurship during Entrepreneurship Week February 26 thru March 2. During the week long celebration we acknowledged the contributions of Women Business Owners and Friend of Business to the local economy.

The Women's Business Center wants the general public to be more aware of how these women make the West Virginia economy tick.  These women were not only recognized for their contributions to their community but for there innovation and creation of jobs.

Recognition ceremonies took place in each of the following counties:  Greenbrier, Monroe, Pocahontas.

Greenbrier County Friend of Business honoree is Kim Cooper.  In her position as the Executive Director of the Greenbrier County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Kim actively supported small business in Greenbrier County.

Monroe County Woman Owned Business honoree is Caroline Sparks, co-owner of the Monroe Service Center in Union, WV. They have grown the business an average of 22% each year and now employ 6 full time and one part time staff members. Caroline is also the Mayor of Union.

Pocahontas County Friend of Business is Reta Griffith who is a Pocahontas County Commissioner, member of the Greenbrier Valley Economic Development Corporation; and the Region 1 Workforce Investment Board.  She has been an advocate for business and economic development for many years in Pocahontas County.

We honor these women for their continuing inspiration and tremendous impact on the communities and the economy of the Greenbrier Valley.  For more information contact Tennis Parrish at The Women's Business Center 253-3145

The Greenbrier Valley Economic Development Corporation has AVAILABLE LAND located just north of Peterstown, Monroe County, West Virginia, on U. S. 219 at its FOUNTAIN SPRINGS INDUSTRIAL PARK for development.  GVEDC will Sale or Lease property at the park to businesses wishing to locate and build at the facility.  Additionally, if your business is interested in GVEDC developing a site at the park for you please let GVEDC know.

You may contact the GVEDC office located at P.O. Box 33,Mawelton West Virginia, 24957, telephone (304) 497-4300or email Dick Nevi, Executive Director at dicknevi@gvedc.com or Richard Ellard at rellard@gvedc.com . 

Phase 1 construction at the Rahall Technology and Business Center located at the Greenbrier Valley Airport Business Park is just about complete.  Nichols Construction is putting the finishing touches on this part of the project.

GVEDC held a dedication ceremony in October with Congressman Nick J. Rahall attending as the guest speaker for the event.  GVEDC is planning a formal ribbon cutting ceremony in the very near future. 

Congressman Rahall has been responsible for providing funding to develop this technology center which serves as the Eastern Anchor for the I-64 Technology Corridor between Lewisburg/White Sulphur Springs and Beckley.  This just one of the projects within the service area of the Connected Technologies Corridors Program initiated by Congressman Rahall.

Any business interested in locating in the new technology center should contact the GVEDC office at 304-497-4300.

Rep. Nick Rahall appeared for the ribbon cutting ceremony at the Edray Business Park Tuesday afternnon on August 9, 2005.  Rahall praised the facility as a potential center for job growth in the county and commended everyone that took part in making this project a tremendous success. 

Plans for marketing the 30,000 sq. ft. mult-tenant building are progressing even though the facility will not be able to be leased until the City of Marlinton completes its sewer line extension project to the site. The estimated completion date for the sewer extension project is in early Summer, 2006.

GVEDC has recently entered into an option to sell just under an acre of land located at the business park to a businessman from Parsons, West Virginia.  Plans are to construct a 3,600 sq. ft. office building at the park.  Construction will begin once the sale of the property has been finalized and closed. 

Anyone interested in leasing space in the 30,000 sq. ft. mult-tenant facility or purchasing or leasing property at the business park should contact the GVEDC at 304-497-4300 or email dicknevi@gvedc.com .