MORGANTOWN — The Morgantown Area Chamber of Commerce hosted Rep. David McKinley Tuesday morning for a legislative breakfast.
The chamber presented McKinley with a letter jointly signed by the Morgantown Monongalia Metropolitan Planning Organization urging his support of two key local infrastructure projects: Improvements on Green Bag Road and expanded operating hours for the Morgantown Locks and Dam.
McKinley fielded questions but also talked about the resurgence of optimism in the state.
He has two notebooks full of answers to the question “What’s made America Great?” But he also ponders “What’s held West Virginia back?”
Answering that, he said, “We haven’t been willing to take a risk.” Have goals and aspirations. “We’ve lacked the confidence to carry it out, to try it.”
But that’s turning around, he said. He cited several examples to illustrate that. Last year, West Virginia’s GDP was second highest in the nation. Our construction projects were highest, topping even California.
Meanwhile, major industries are coming here, he said: Boeing, Northrup-Grumman. And some that are already here are expanding, such as Hino Motors and Toyota.
“We’re coming back – a pride and a confidence we’ve never seen before.”
This story will be expanded with fuller details.
Story by David Beard