According to Steve Roberts, president of the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce, the event also is scheduled to see several new members and out-of-state investors.

The Chamber’s legislative priorities, developed with input from members across all 55 counties, include making the state’s corporate net income tax more competitive, raising teacher pay, and reforming the equipment and inventory tax. The Chamber is also seeking to create a statewide childcare tri-share program and to expand tax credits for employer-sponsored childcare.

“Our members are energized, our ranks are growing and what we’re hearing from businesses is a unified message,” Roberts said. “West Virginia is ready to compete and win.”

Other key proposals include boosting FAFSA completion and workforce participation, improving legal fairness, increasing site development funding, reducing unemployment insurance taxes on employers, and incentivizing value-added use of natural gas.

“We have the plan. We have the people. We have the momentum,” Roberts said. “But last session, too much time was spent on issues that don’t move West Virginia forward. Our message to lawmakers is to get focused, get serious and let’s get to work.”