The 4-C Economic Development Authority and I have partnered to help grow businesses in southern West Virginia since its inception in 1988. The 4-C EDA continues to be a great economic development resource for our region and I look forward to continuing our work together to create additional jobs and economic development opportunities in Fayette, Nicholas, Raleigh and Summers Counties. Their work is appreciated and certainly does not go unnoticed.
William H. Baker
During the past several years, the United States has experienced some rather difficult economic conditions. The business community and job markets have reflected these difficulties. All over America there has been a drastic slow-down of new business development and expansion. We have seen this in West Virginia.
However, in the 4-C EDA region, we have seen several encouraging developments. For example, Global Contact Services opened for business in Nicholas and Fayette Counties and created nearly six hundred jobs. Raleigh County saw the location of Excel Homes, growth in the retail sector and the expansion of the existing industry base. Summers County has experienced growth of its high technology sector with expansion of companies such as Computer Sciences Corporation, ManTech International and PracticeLink while Unique Balance nearly doubled its manufacturing employment.
4-C has truly become a partner in regional economic development. In cooperation with other entities, we have established community development offices in each county which provide rapid response for our clients. We have also assisted to create the Connected Technologies Corridors initiative, an effort to bring a high-technology focus to an eleven-county region in southeastern West Virginia.
The past has been a lot of hard work, but the future appears promising. As we continue to pool our resources and work in partnership, we expect to see more and higher paying jobs for people living in the 4-C region.
