Waterline Extension Efforts Continue!

The Southern Lewis County Water Project is in operation serving 420 families with over 39 miles of waterline. The Lewis County Economic Development Authority (LCEDA) has applied for $3.6 million in new funding for another waterline extension project to serve 145 families in the following areas: Sassafras Run, Limestone Run, Murphy Creek, Churchville, Mare Run, and the deducted areas from the last project which are Linger/Hershman Run, Laurel Run (Crawford), and Rock Cave Road up to and including Sugarcamp Run.

A decision on our application will be made in the fall of 2008. The LCEDA and Lewis County Commission will work diligently to lobby for approval of our application.

New Jobs through Business Attraction and Expansion Successes!

Leader Energy Corporation from Canada has located in the Lewis County Industrial Park and employs 25 people. This company provides coiled tubing and nitrogen services for the gas industry. These are very good paying jobs, and Leader has already proven to be an excellent corporate neighbor.

Chesapeake Energy has completed construction of their new facility at the Jane Lew Exit. This 25,000 square foot facility will employ 60-70 people, and their decision to locate here has helped attract other companies such as Superior Well Services, which employs 75 people, and Leader Energy.

Dominion Resources recently completed an addition to their headquarters in the Lewis County Industrial Park and transferred 60 jobs from Houston, Texas. They are currently planning to add more facilities and employees as their company continues to grow.

Energy Contractors has purchased Mid Atlantic Well Services in the Industrial Park and plans to add to their employee base. Linn Energy has trimmed its workforce, but continues to be a major employer in Lewis County.

In February of 2008 the LCEDA and the Workforce Investment Board hosted a Job Fair for the Oil & Gas Industry. This event attracted over 600 attendees from across West Virginia. Even though there was a blinding snowstorm that day, the high paying jobs that these companies offered brought in job seekers from as far away as Boone County, Huttonsville, Summersville, and Clay County. The companies were thrilled to have this forum with many saying they collected over 100 applications from qualified applicants.

New Strategic Planning Process Underway!

The LCEDA in cooperation with the City of Weston, the Town of Jane Lew, the Chamber of Commerce and others will undertake a comprehensive strategic planning process in the summer of 2008. This plan will be an inclusive effort to design a roadmap for progress for economic and community development for Lewis County.