By: Lydia Crawley
The Parsons Advocate
The West Virginia Legislature Interim Committees were held at Canaan Valley State Park over three days. From Sunday, June 14th to Tuesday, June 16th, Legislators were in the area to become informed on and discuss a range of issues, as well as tour various sites in the area.
Members of the public were allowed to sit in on the legislative sessions such as the Joint Standing Committee on Economic Development on Monday. The legislators were informed on the latest information by Deputy Secretary for Economic Development and Workforce Participation, Christine H. Davies and Secretary of the West Virginia Department of Tourism Chelsea A. Ruby.
Davies informed the legislators that companies are always looking at West Virginia and the Governor is reaching out to CEOs about West Virginia and its opportunities. The state currently has 78 active deals with new companies with 14 of those with companies wishing to expand into the State and the remaining 64 as new business opportunities. Davies said of every 10 new businesses the State negotiate with, only three ever make it to the offer stage, making it a 10 – 25 % offer rate.
Davies said that 50 new prospects came from an expo meeting in San Diego. The State is also looking to expand the export market into Spain and Portugal currently. Aviation is another avenue the State is looking to expand.
Industrial Development is also a focus the State continues to work on. Such industries as high performance materials, automation, aircraft engines and aerospace, power electronics components, grid hardware and competing hardware and maintenance are all industries the State is reaching out to.
Davies said her office is receiving a lot of calls on the Federal Opportunity Zone Program, which was recently made permanent. The program has been live since May 1 and is taking applications through July 1. Only 25% of the 207 census tracks will be chosen for the program. The program will gather better information on all the zones, as well as work with economic development partners in those areas to market to firms.
The Ready Sites Program, of which both the Parsons Industrial Park and Tucker County Industrial Park are a part of, continues. Davies said the State continues to work with existing sites, as well as evaluate the next sites, with an eye on infrastructure for the next Ready Sites chosen sites.
Davies said that she didn’t want to say anything just yet, but there would soon be other related programs announced soon.
When asked by a Delegate what the most important focus was for economic development in the State, Davies said, manufacturing was the number one area. She said that was the industry with the most interest, but that she “hates to put all the eggs in one basket.”
The next and last speaker of the session was Ruby, who spoke on the status of Tourism within the State. Ruby said her office’s focus was to mainly try to change how people view the State of West Virginia. Her job, she said was storytelling through advertising.
While most states market their advertising strictly outside the borders of their State, West Virginia is unique in that, State Tourism also markets within the State, as well. Ruby said a large number of tourism dollars in the State comes from in-State tourism. West Virginia, Ruby said, is one of the fastest growing tourism States in the U.S.
West Virginia Tourism began offering a free course for tourism workers or those who live in tourism areas called Tourism Works. The Program involves 12 modules and has already provided 24,000 credentials. Ruby said it is a great way to be a “good ambassador in your own state.” The program is perfect for those who need training for workers, as well as residents welcoming those into their communities, Ruby said.
West Virginia has also appeared in such publications as Outside’s 50 Most Epic Adventures in North America, Travel + Leisure’s The Cranberry Wilderness in West Virginia Might Be One of the Most Peaceful Places in the U.S., Conde Nast Traveler’s The 50 Most Beautiful Places in the U.S.and National Geographic’s Glamping with the stars: These 7 retreats are perfect for night-sky watchiing. Ruby said she continues to invite journalists to come to West Virginia and engage in its many unique experiences.
Tourism equates to over $9 billion in economic impact, with $6.6 billion in traveler spending. State Park revenue is also up nearly $2 billion over last year. Of that, $1.1 billion is generated in tax revenue and 1 in 15 workers in the state is employed in a tourism-related industry, according to Ruby.
So far, 2026 has been off to a “great start,” Ruby said. The winter sports and travel industry got a big boost from one of the longest winter ski seasons on record. Ruby said Spring has also been strong and Summer is also off to a great start, as well.
Short-term rental numbers, such as Airbnb, continue to soar in the State. The topic locally, has been the subject of controversy, especially within the Town of Davis, where a recent measure on zoning was voted down in an election and a moratorium on short-term rentals was lifted, leading to an astronomical rise in the number of units in the Town.
There were also tax credits for tourism infrastructure and historic preservation, as well as grants available for libraries. Valley View Cabins in Canaan Valley were part of six new Tourism Development Act tax credit projects that generated over $117 million in new investment across six counties.
Sunday, the Legislators toured Dolly Sods, Big Timber Brewing Company and the National Youth Science Academy. A reception and dinner were held at Bear Paw. Transportation was provided by Canaan Valley Lodge.
On Monday, the Legislators enjoyed breakfast and lunch at the Hickory Dining Room followed by a full day of Standing Committees and an off site visit to Valley View Cabins. Monday’s Committee meetings included the: Joint Standing Committee on the Judiciary; Joint Standing Committee on Finance; Joint Standing Committee on Education; Joint Standing Committee on Organization; Joint Standing Committee on Economic Development and Joint Standing Committee on Health. The day ended with the off site tour and a reception and dinner at Blackwater Lodge.
Tuesday began with breakfast in the Hickory Dining Room followed by off site tours. The Legislators toured Mt. Storm Power Station followed by in Elkins, the Tygart Hotel, Augusta Heritage Center and the nearly finished Railyard Event & Conference Center. The final tour was of the Bowden State Fish Hatchery.
Local action groups were also on hand during the events to protest. Tucker United hosted a two day protest Sunday and Monday, with a standing base camp at the main pavilion. Protesters lined the main road and also could be found in a designated protest area of the parking lot at the main lodge.
