Vision 2030 Is Blueprint For Tech Industry Growth In W.Va.

A new plan released Monday by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (HEPC) is designed to make West Virginia more competitive when it comes to science and technology grants — and create a skilled workforce that will attract high paying industries. 

“Our updated Vision 2030 Plan is not simply another document — it’s a living roadmap for building the essential infrastructure that supports our state and local economies,” said Dr. Sarah Armstrong Tucker, West Virginia’s chancellor for Higher Education. 

“This plan is our call to action: a blueprint for higher-paying jobs, robust economic development, and a future in which our state’s commitment to science translates into real, measurable progress for generations to come,” Tucker said.

Vision 2030 is a guide for advancing education, research and innovation that strengthens research and industry growth. 

It focuses on four key areas for growth, including – new this year – artificial intelligence (AI):

• Life Sciences: Health Science; Agriculture; and Natural Resources Resilience
• AI/ML and Data Science: Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning; and Data Analytics and Data Science
• Advanced Manufacturing: Robotics and Autonomy; Manufacturing Efficiency; and Materials
• Advanced Energy: Energy Reliability and Efficiency; and Exploration and Production – including research and STEM education for students from kindergarten through community or technical colleges and universities.

The focus on STEM education is critical to developing the highly skilled workforce West Virginia needs to meet the demands of emerging industries, said Dr. Janet Rorrer, the commission’s senior director for science, technology and research.

“By working in those areas, it allows us to have a focus on some of those strategic areas, and allows for that investment and collaboration surrounding those,” Rorrer said.

“We’re excited about working to advance and really diversify the growth of West Virginia’s economy, utilizing research, innovation and the STEM talent we have in our state,” she said.

Vision 2030 also meets key requirements that allows West Virginia to qualify for funding through the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR).

The program supports states like West Virginia that are less competitive for federal research funding.