Huntington Story Archives - Page 3 of 38 - West Virginia Public Broadcasting

Marshall To Build Workforce Training Center At ACF Site

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development Program presented a $550,000 check to establish Marshall’s welding and robotics training center near the university’s campus.

State and local officials, as well as representatives from Marshall University, received a federal grant to redevelop an industrial site in Huntington Tuesday.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development Program presented a $550,000 check to establish Marshall’s welding and robotics training center near the university’s campus.

The center will be built on the site of ACF Industries, which for decades built railcars and was one of the region’s largest employers.

The rails are still embedded in the concrete at the facility, but instead of building trains, it will now train a new workforce.

Brandon Dennison, Marshall’s vice president of economic and workforce development, said to expect more of these efforts.

“We’re going to see very real, very tangible investments leading to good paying jobs and building the new Appalachian economy of the future,” he said.

Construction is set to begin early next year, with the center in operation in 2025.

CSX To Convert Diesel Locomotives To Hydrogen At Huntington Shop

Like many companies, CSX has committed to reduce its carbon emissions. It set a goal of a 37 percent reduction from 2014 to 2030.

Railroads CSX and Canadian Pacific Kansas City have said they’ll work together to develop hydrogen conversion kits for their existing diesel locomotive fleets.

The initial conversion work in the partnership will be performed at the CSX locomotive shop in Huntington.

““This exciting initiative will greatly benefit from the expertise of CSX’s advanced, large-scale facilities, where the locomotives will be built,” said Joe Hinrichs, CSX president and CEO.

Canadian Pacific has already converted one locomotive, which has undergone 1,000 miles of testing.

Hydrogen produces zero carbon dioxide emissions when burned. However, the production of hydrogen can have a carbon impact if it is made from fossil fuels.

Like many companies, CSX has committed to reduce its carbon emissions. It set a goal of a 37 percent reduction from 2014 to 2030.

NUCOR Plant Development Strengthens Entire Region

Speakers from the city of Huntington, the Cabell County Commission and the Mason County Development Authority briefed members of the Joint Standing Committee on Finance Monday on development they are already seeing for the region from the NUCOR plant.

The NUCOR steel plant in Mason County is expected to be an economic driver for the entire region.

The plant itself is expected to be a $3 billion investment in the region with thousands of jobs as well as ancillary jobs and businesses not directly connected to the plant but supporting employees like grocery stores and restaurants. Millions of dollars are also being spent to upgrade infrastructure for water, sewer, roads and bridges.

John Musgrave, executive director of the Mason County Development Authority, noted it is nice to collaborate with a company that works with the local community.

“They not only are active in Point Pleasant and Mason County,” he said. “But down in Huntington and Cabell County, taking advantage of Putnam County and down into Kanawha County.”

A big issue facing the region is housing for the workers with approximately 1,000 contractors coming in to build the plant and nearly that number working there full-time when it is operational.

Marshall University Hosting Legislative Interim Committee Meetings

The May installment of 2023 legislative interim committee meetings will take place on Marshall’s Huntington campus beginning on Sunday.

Sara Payne Scarboro, Marshall’s associate vice president of Government Relations, said the university welcomes the opportunity to showcase its campus and local community partnerships.

“We will highlight the wonderful things and growth going on in the city, county and here at Marshall,” Scarboro said. “Our good friends up north at WVU, they had the opportunity to host the legislature last year. Now it’s Marshall’s turn, and we are eager to make them welcome.”

Several meeting agendas highlight Marshall programs including health care, cybersecurity and aviation. Scarboro said meeting topics, including presentations from Huntington and Cabell County leaders, are all part of an economic development focus.

“All roads lead to economic development and job creation and keeping our talent in the Mountain State,” Scarboro said. “We wanted to have an opportunity to tell that story, how Marshall University is leaning in to help our state lawmakers create jobs, keep jobs and keep our students here in West Virginia.”

Scarboro said planned lawmaker field trips during interims include visits to The Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center and the Nucor steel plant site in nearby Mason County.

“We’re going to go to Nucor on a site visit to talk with industry leadership, we’re going to examine Route 2, and how infrastructure is important to further develop that venue and that road setting for future business development.”

Scarboro said she hopes lawmakers leave Huntington with an understanding that Marshall is an economic development partner to the state, with a seat at the table.

Interims run Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. Click here for a listing of meeting times and agendas.

Teaching Healthy Habits And W.Va. Chefs Nominated For Award On This West Virginia Morning

On this West Virginia Morning, more than a decade ago, Huntington made headlines as the “fattest city in the nation.” We listen to an excerpt from our latest episode of Us & Them with host Trey Kay Kay, where we look at continuing efforts to teach healthy habits in West Virginia.

On this West Virginia Morning, more than a decade ago, Huntington made headlines as the “fattest city in the nation.” We listen to an excerpt from our latest episode of Us & Them with host Trey Kay Kay, where we look at continuing efforts to teach healthy habits in West Virginia.

Listen to the full episode of Us & Them Thursday at 8 p.m. or an encore broadcast on Saturday, March 25 at 3 p.m.

Also, in this show, two West Virginia chefs are in the running for one of the most prestigious awards in the culinary world. Randy Yohe spoke with Charleston Chef Paul Smith, who says it’s a humbling honor just to be nominated.

West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.

Support for our news bureaus comes from West Virginia University, Concord University, and Shepherd University.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning

Speeding In A Work Zone Could Cost You

With the number of highway and bridge construction projects accelerating, WVDOT wants to get the message across to drivers: speeding in work zones will not be tolerated.

Drivers who fail to obey the speeding laws in West Virginia, could face hefty penalties.

In 2022, the West Virginia Department of Transportation (WVDOT) recorded 800 crashes in work zones across the state that killed eight people and left 276 injured.

With the number of highway and bridge construction projects accelerating, WVDOT wants to get the message across to drivers: speeding in work zones will not be tolerated.

On the first day of enforcement of stepped up patrols this week, along a five mile stretch of I-64 between the Huntington Mall and 29th Street in Huntington, police stopped 120 drivers violating the speed limit and other infractions.

Extra police patrols will also be enforcing the speed limit in work zones along the I-64 route between Charleston and Huntington.

On Wednesday, Gov. Jim Justice used his weekly briefing to urge drivers to slow down.

“We are adding extra police patrols,” Justice said. “And we’re going to target speeders, we’re gonna write tickets and it’s probably going to be a bad day for a lot of people, but we’ve got to slow down going through the worksite and so please take heed, show some consideration.”

The governor talked about his Roads to Prosperity initiative, pointing out that West Virginia is attracting more visitors who are noticing improvements in the state’s highways. He said that includes maintenance in high risk work zones where a lot of people go to work each day.

“So please heed this, we need your consideration,” Justice said. “We’ve got these good people coming to work every day, and they deserve, absolutely, the right to be going home every day, too.”

WVDOT said it will post more signage and speed monitors in work zones where speeding violations can result in $200 in fines and up to 20 days in jail for anyone caught driving 15 miles above the posted speed limit.

Meanwhile, anyone caught violating West Virginia’s distracted driving laws faces fines ranging from $100 to $300 plus court costs and demerit points being applied to their license.