MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Re imagining economic development in West Virginia as a regional activity isn’t much of a stretch for the Chamber of Commerce Presidents in Monongalia, Preston, Marion, and Harrison Counties.
That’s why they established a business summit to cater to the people and businesses of the region.
“The Bridges without Boundaries was established, and it has grown each year,” said Marion County Chamber of Commerce President Tina Shaw. “And we really focus on the emerging issues within North Central West Virginia.”
The fourth annual summit, which bring in leaders, residents, and business owners from across the region, features Pittsburgh Mayor William Peduto as the keynote speaker next month.
Shaw said Peduto’s Pittsburgh is a shining example of how a particular city can benefit by the process of regional development.
“You get more bang for your buck when you do things together than separately,” she said. “We have some great Chamber Presidents that think that way, and we’re excited to showcase North Central as a whole, not just the individual counties.”
Eldon Callen, the VP of Intergovernmental Affairs in the Monongalia County Chamber of Commerce, has for a long time wondered how to develop better inter-county development in the North Central region.
“That’s what I’ve talked about — the need for us to realize that the roads don’t end at the county line,” Callen said. “The economic growth doesn’t end at the county line.”
West Virginia’s economic story, at least in recent years, is hardly a fairy tale. But Callen said that’s not the case in this region of the state.
“If you took North Central West Virginia and put it in Pennsylvania, we would still be the fastest growing area in Pennsylvania,” he said.
Part of that is fueled by the inter-connectivity of the regions, Callen said. He suggested close to half of the work force in Monongalia County commutes from somewhere else.
“A lot of areas look at Monongalia County and Harrison County and Marion County and Preston County, and they ask, ‘What are you all doing there? What’s different? What can we do?'” Callen said.
The event is Tuesday, April 10 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Robert H. Mollohan Research Center.