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Storch Wants To Get Word Out on Project BEST

Photo Courtesy of W.Va. Legislative Photography - Del. Erikka Storch, R-Ohio, is the new executive director at Project BEST and wants to inform the community as to what the organization’s objectives are.

WHEELING — Delegate Erikka Storch is on the job as the new executive director at Project BEST, and she wants the community to know more about the organization.

Storch, R-Ohio, took over the newly-created position Dec. 13. She said she wants to grow awareness in the community about Project BEST.

“A lot of people have asked what I’m doing,” Storch said. “I’ve been asked if I’ve gone to work for the unions. People don’t really have a good grasp of what Project BEST is or its role. It was created in 1984. But there has been a disconnect within the community in understanding exactly what its objectives are.”

Project BEST is a non-profit organization created by the Upper Ohio Valley Building Trades and the Ohio Valley Construction Employers Council to facilitate industry development and promote public and private construction in the Ohio Valley. The group promotes internships in the trades, responsible contracting policies, and “ensuring contractors have a track record of completing quality jobs while providing employees with fair wages and benefits,” according to its website.

Storch said while brand awareness of Project BEST is a major objective, she will focus on promoting the need for responsible contractor language in documents.

She will also push the idea that employing local contractors helps the community as a whole.

“For every dollar spent locally, 67 cents remains in the community,” she explained. “If you are spending money with a local contractor, look how much return on your investment you are getting — how much bang for your buck you are getting with that money staying in the local community.”

Another of Storch’s objectives is to increase awareness of internship opportunities, and to see that these grow in number.

An available workforce in the trades is going to be necessary as West Virginia is set to receive $6.2 billion for infrastructure improvement projects, according to Storch.

In addition, an ethane cracker plant is still being anticipated in the Ohio Valley, and a host of construction employees would be needed to see the project is completed, she explained.

“We need to have workers ready to help the construction base,” Storch said.

As Storch assumes the job of executive director, Project BEST still retains its two co-chairmen. Chairman Jack Ramage represents management through the Ohio Valley Construction Employers Council, while chairman Jody Bonfini represents labor as a member of Carpenters Local 436.

“I will get direction from the co-chairmen and the board, but they have day jobs,” Storch said. “During the rebranding initiative, I will be tasked with becoming the face of Project BEST — and the point person for Project BEST — so there is one continuum to go to for Project BEST questions, issues and needs.”

The last few weeks Storch has been working out of a board room at the Ohio Valley Construction Employers Council offices at 21 Armory Drive in Wheeling while member contractors work to build her an office.

Her office was expected to be completed this week.

She returned to Charleston for the 2022 legislative session, which began Wednesday, but she doesn’t expect to introduce many bills this session.

“I feel I am much more on the defensive trying to stop legislation,” she said. “In terms of trying to introduce legislation, I try to be responsive to concerns brought to me by constituents.”

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