Steve Roberts: West Virginians have reason to celebrate (Charleston Gazette-Mail, Daily Mail)

August 24, 2017

By Steve Roberts | Charleston Gazette-Mail

When I began writing this, I contemplated starting with a question to the reader. I wanted to ask which state has seen the second highest gross domestic product for the first quarter of 2017, experienced a 31-percent increase in coal production in the last 12 months, and is having an all-time high in the production of natural gas.

Had I asked those questions, West Virginia would have been the answer. And as a result of these improvements, employment has increased to the highest level in more than three years, and our economy is seeing remarkable changes.

The West Virginia Chamber of Commerce knows this is just the beginning. The state is poised to make tremendous strides by building on these successes. This is because West Virginia is growing an economy that offers a competitive business climate, an educated and ready workforce, enhanced infrastructure, efficient government and, above all, a good quality of life.

We at the Chamber are committed to supporting that progress. To that end, more than 1,000 business, education and policy leaders will gather August 30 through September 1 at the Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs for the 81st Annual West Virginia Chamber Business Summit. The working meeting will be spent examining the best pathways to prosperity, which we all know West Virginians deserve.

Attendees will be able to hear from a variety of perspectives and interact with peers across many industries. Vice President of the United States Mike Pence will speak as will Governor Jim Justice, President Jerome Gilbert of Marshall University, President Gordon Gee of West Virginia University, and Deputy Ambassador from the Canadian Embassy Kirsten Hillman. Senators Shelley Moore Capito and Joe Manchin will join Congressmen David McKinley and Evan Jenkins to present their views and discuss the progress in Washington.

Attendees also will interact with many others from across the state, forming valuable connections and strengthening West Virginia business. Topics to be explored include education, good health, legal fairness and workforce development. Our goal is to begin a discussion in White Sulphur Springs that spreads across the state. We want to ignite enthusiasm that causes people to be engaged, committed and working diligently for a more vibrant state.

The Chamber commends West Virginia for making positive changes to provide the foundation needed for the state we envision—competitive, safe and healthy. It supports the next steps needed to build the pathway to prosperity for all West Virginians.

Steve Roberts is the president of the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce, the largest business association in the state, with members in all 55 counties that employ more than half of the state’s workforce. To learn more about the chamber, its mission and the summit, visit www.wvchamber.com.