The West Virginia Business & Industry Council – an organization of which our Association is an active member – will host a regional business forum from 1:00-4:30 p.m. at Oglebay Resort & Conference Center in Wheeling onThursday, May 21^st. 

Entitled, Policy & Progress, this forum will feature discussions on the results of the 2015 legislative session and focus conversation on some of the key issues facing the state - tax reform, right to work, legal reform, regional economic development and a forward-looking discussion on the 2016 legislative session.

These forums will bring together subject matter experts and policy makers to help move West Virginia forward.  Senate President Bill Cole will attend the event, as will legislators from the region.

We would appreciate your consideration for attending this event or sending a representative from your organization.  Please also forward this invitation to any local business leader you think may have an interest in attending.  

There is no fee to attend the event, To register for our Wheeling BIC forum go to:   http://goo.gl/DI1zna or e-mail:  info@wvbic.org.

wvgazette.com
By Phil Kabler

After months of speculation, it was a little anti-climatic when Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., announced he was staying put in Washington rather than opting for a third term as governor.

While some state Democrats were practically begging Manchin to come back, there were some sound reasons for Manchin to stay, even if he would have been all but assured of winning the governor’s race.

First, it’s no secret Manchin relishes the media spotlight, and in his new capacity as a key moderate Democrat swing vote in the Senate, his star will shine even brighter with more frequent appearances on national newscasts such as “Morning Joe” and “Face the Nation.”

Coal production in the U.S. again finished lower this past week, according to the latest report from the Energy Information Agency (EIA) and the National Mining Association.

Production in the United States is down by 1.63 million tons (7.6%) for the week ending May 2 compared to the same time last year. Production for the week stood at 17.36 million tons compared to 18.98 million tons for the same week in 2014. Cumulative production for the year-to-date is also down sharply as of May 2 coming in at 315.27 million tons compared to 333.86 million tons last year – a decline of 18.59 million tons or 5.4%.  Production for the previous 52 weeks also trended lower – finishing at 979.05 million tons compared to 986.49 million tons for the same period ending in 2014.

The number of rail car loadings was also down sharply, finishing the week down 9.7% from the same period last year. Rail car loadings are also down sharply year-to-date – off 5.3% from the same period in 2014.

WVCA member Arch Coal announced John Eaves has been elected chairman and CEO, effective immediately, succeeding Wesley Taylor, who will remain on the Arch Coal board. John was elected to Arch's board in 2006 and was elected its president and chief executive officer in 2012.  Arch also announced that Paul A. Lang, previously Arch's executive vice president and chief operating officer, has been elected president and chief operating officer, effective immediately.

Thursday, Governor Tomblin appointed Democrat Steven Shaffer to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Larry Williams (D-Preston County-52^nd District). Williams resigned on April 15^th and Shaffer's appointment is effective immediately.  Shaffer, 60, is a longtime resident of Preston County who has served as Mayor of Tunnelton, a member of the Board of Education and an Assistant Prosecutor in Preston County.  He has an accounting degree from Fairmont State University, a law degree from WVU and is currently a partner at Estep & Shaffer, L.C., Attorneys at Law in Kingwood.  Shaffer was a candidate for the State Senate last year opposing longtime Preston County Republican Senator Dave Sypolt. 

Coal production in the U.S. again finished lower this past week, according to the latest report from the Energy Information Agency (EIA) and the National Mining Association.

Production in the United States is down by 2.2 million tons (11.6%) for the week ending April 25 compared to the same time last year. Production for the week stood at 16.92 million tons compared to 19.14 million tons for the same week in 2014. Cumulative production for the year-to-date is also down sharply as of April 25 coming in at 298.36 million tons compared to 314.85 million tons last year – a decline of 16.49 million tons or 5.2%.  Production for the previous 52 weeks was also lower – finishing at 980.67 million tons compared to 113.31 million tons for the same period ending in 2014.

The number of rail car loadings was also down sharply, finishing the week down13.2% from the same period last year. Rail car loadings are also down sharply year-to-date – off 5.2% from the same period in 2014.

Electric output was up slightly – by 1.1% for the week ending April 25 – but is down (-0.3%) year-to-date. Steel output continued its decline, down 7.3% for the week, finished at 1.71 million tons produced, with a capacity utilization factor of 76.6%, and it continues its slide year-to-date — down 6.9% to 28.12 million tons produced compared to 30.22 million tons for the same period last year. A decline in steel production is considered a leading indicator of the broader economy and the continued declines we are seeing in steel production usually translate into declines in durable goods orders and a softening of the national economy.