Trending
Marshall County Chamber of Commerce members learned the state of Marshall County is trending positively as long-term development projects in the area come to fruition.
Leaders in health care, economics, education and tourism in the area shared their perspectives on the county's growth during the chamber's annual State of Marshall County breakfast, held at Grand Vue Park's Banquet Hall.
The event was hosted by Marshall County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Scott Reager and featured several speakers.
Presenters at the event included Tony Martinelli, CEO of WVU Medicine Reynolds Memorial and Wetzel County hospitals; Marshall County Commission President Mike Ferro; Marshall County Schools Superintendent Shelby Haines; Craig White; Marshall County Tourism Conventions and Visitors Bureau CEO Tom Stiles, West Virginia Penitentiary general manager; and Regional Economic Development Partnership President and CEO Josh Jefferson.
Martinelli kicked off the breakfast by detailing the various construction projects taking place at WVU Medicine Reynolds Memorial Hospital. He said the construction was "basically rebuilding a hospital in place of an older hospital" while daily operations continued.
According to Martinelli, by the time the project is completed, $45 million will have been invested into Reynolds over the past six years.
The updates include transforming old operating rooms and one old procedure room into "modern, up-to-date, state-of-the-art operating rooms," said Martinelli.
As operating rooms are expanded and updated, space has been made for a new surgical robot, the da Vinci Surgical System, to be available for surgeons during operations. To operate the machine, the surgeon puts their head in a console and hands in gloves that allow them to manipulate mechanical arms to perform surgery.
"We rolled that [the da Vinci Surgical System] about two months ago with the first of the five operating rooms going live, and the results have been incredible," Martinelli said. "There is a line of people out the board ready to take advantage of this new technology."
In addition to other updates inside the building, the outside of the hospital will receive a facelift. Martinelli said the North Tower is receiving a fresh coat of paint, and a dedicated surgery pickup area has been added to the building.
"There will be a dedicated surgical drop-off area, so when you walk around to register, you won't have to register in the lobby as there will be a separate waiting area," Martinelli said. "When it's time for you to leave, rather than going through the main entrance, your loved one will be able to pull up right to the doors so you can get directly in your car from there."
Ferro then stepped up to the podium to detail the county's financial state, which he noted was "in great shape."
One of the major projects the commission has undertaken to keep the county financially healthy is funding updates to the constitutional offices, according to Ferro. This includes updating technology in county offices and providing "cutting-edge" licensing equipment for emergency medical services.
Ferro highlighted that the Marshall County Courthouse's grand opening, following extensive renovations, will occur next Tuesday.
"We want to thank our employees for being so patient," Ferro said. "It's easy to mess up a 150-year-old building and pretty tough to fix."
Haines also drew attention during her speech to the extensive construction projects at schools that were recently completed or nearing completion.
Haines highlighted the addition of a separate gym facility and upgrades to the theater and stage area at Washington Lands Elementary School. She also noted progress on the John Marshall High School natatorium was also "moving along," with core drilling samples currently being taken for the project.
In addition to sharing progress at Marshall County Schools, Haines also shed light on how the school system was handling an increase in online threats. Haines said she had spoken with county Emergency Management Director Tom Hart "more this week than her own family." She said Hart, along with police and emergency responders, were ready to answer any questions and respond to any need brought to them by Marshall County Schools.
Haines outlined the school's general safety measures, emphasizing that "communication is key."
"No matter what you say, you're going to be scrutinized, whether people believe you said too much or too little," Haines said. "Just know that any message that comes out of Marshall County Schools related to safety measures has gone through many hands and is purposely worded the way it is."
Apart from focusing on clear communication in emergencies, Haines said schools were physically prepared to handle threats. Security measures include door alarms that activate if a door is opened for more than 15 seconds and bullet-resistant window film installed in classrooms.
"We have all kinds of safety measures, but what we need to remember is our communication," Haines said.
At John Marshall High School, the back of every ID card has a QR code that employees and students are encouraged to scan and report anything they see. Every student in Marshall County also has the "See Something, Send Something" app on their issued iPad, which allows them to report incidents.
"When you report something on the app, the report goes to the National Fusion Center and is then invested on a national level," Haines said. "I get messages about the reports, and we would much rather do something about a report than spread concern."
White then gave a rundown on tourism in the area, which he said was "alive and well."
White said 165,700 unique visitors visited the county, including 51,000 overnight stays, which resulted in an estimated spending of $75.5 million.
White brought Stiles to the stage to highlight a new tourism attraction coming in the fall that he believes will draw even more visitors to the area- a new light show that will take place on the prison's front lawn.
Four shows will take place a night during the prison's fall season, with the first show beginning at 6:45 p.m. and the last show taking place at 9 p.m. Visitors will be able to pull into the prison's front lot and tune their radio to an RM station that coincides with a Halloweed-themed light show.
"The show has pumpkins, bats, tombstones and spiders, all dancing and singing on the front line, and you can watch it from your car," Stiles said. "What is really unique about the show is that when the fall season is over at the end of October, we're going to transform the show into a Christmas-themed version."
Jefferson wrapped up the morning by examining the regional growth in Ohio, Marshall and Wetzel counties.
Jefferson said Marshall County is seeing significant investments in the natural gas industry, particularly from EQT, Williams Energy, and MPLS.
"The tax dollars from the natural gas industry are significant in Marshall County," Jefferson noted. "They have helped our schools, citizens and programs, so this is an industry that we want to continue to support and we'll continue to do that."