WVU Rockefeller Institute for Policy Research
@wvu-iprpa.bsky.social
The Institute for Policy Research and Public Affairs provides non-partisan research and analysis to state, county, and municipal officials and members of the nonprofit and business community in West Virginia and the broader Appalachian region.
Residents in Mingo County filed a federal lawsuit this week against the New York-based company working to build an ammonia plant, two natural gas power plants, and a data center complex in their communities.
Mingo County residents file federal lawsuit against company building power plants, data center in WV • West Virginia Watch
Residents in Mingo County filed a federal lawsuit this week against a company working to build power plants and a data center complex.
westvirginiawatch.com
December 10, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Residents in Mingo County filed a federal lawsuit this week against the New York-based company working to build an ammonia plant, two natural gas power plants, and a data center complex in their communities.
The Preston County Economic Development Authority has announced the purchase of the former Spirit Energy site in Hazelton for future economic development.
Preston Economic Development Authority purchases land in Hazelton in hopes of future development - WV MetroNews
Abandoned Mine Lands Funds being used.
wvmetronews.com
December 8, 2025 at 2:38 PM
The Preston County Economic Development Authority has announced the purchase of the former Spirit Energy site in Hazelton for future economic development.
West Virginia’s community and technical colleges showed a slight increase in overall student enrollment for the fall semester, but the growth is less than the national average.
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Report: Student enrollment up slightly at state's community and technical colleges - WV MetroNews
Growth is down from national average.
wvmetronews.com
December 5, 2025 at 4:32 PM
West Virginia’s community and technical colleges showed a slight increase in overall student enrollment for the fall semester, but the growth is less than the national average.
wvmetronews.com/2025/12/04/r...
wvmetronews.com/2025/12/04/r...
Protests against data centers coming to West Virginia continue, with citizen groups rallying outside the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection in opposition to a project headed to Tucker County.
Protesters oppose Tucker County data center as Air Quality Board considers permit appeal - WV MetroNews
Protest was Wednesday outside DEP headquarters in Charleston.
wvmetronews.com
December 3, 2025 at 8:35 PM
Protests against data centers coming to West Virginia continue, with citizen groups rallying outside the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection in opposition to a project headed to Tucker County.
West Virginia American Water is on the hunt for lead as the utility's “potholing” efforts are underway to identify and replace lead and certain galvanized water lines in the Charleston and Huntington areas.
West Virginia American Water conducting operations to identify lead lines - WV MetroNews
Utility complying with federal regulations.
wvmetronews.com
December 1, 2025 at 2:27 PM
West Virginia American Water is on the hunt for lead as the utility's “potholing” efforts are underway to identify and replace lead and certain galvanized water lines in the Charleston and Huntington areas.
Toyota Manufacturing will add 80 jobs and invest $453 million at its Buffalo, West Virginia, plant as it increases hybrid vehicle production, the company announced last week.
WV Toyota plant to add 80 jobs, increase hybrid vehicle production, officials say • West Virginia Watch
Toyota Manufacturing will add 80 jobs and invest $453 million at its Buffalo plant as it increases production of hybrid vehicles.
westvirginiawatch.com
November 24, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Toyota Manufacturing will add 80 jobs and invest $453 million at its Buffalo, West Virginia, plant as it increases hybrid vehicle production, the company announced last week.
West Virginia farmers whose crops or commodities were affected by natural disasters in 2023 and 2024 will soon be able to access more federal funding to aid their individual recovery, according to a news release from the state Department of Agriculture.
More funds to come for farmers in WV and beyond impacted by natural disasters in 2023-2024 • West Virginia Watch
West Virginia farmers whose crops were affected by natural disasters in 2023 and 2024 will soon be able to access more federal funding.
westvirginiawatch.com
November 19, 2025 at 2:47 PM
West Virginia farmers whose crops or commodities were affected by natural disasters in 2023 and 2024 will soon be able to access more federal funding to aid their individual recovery, according to a news release from the state Department of Agriculture.
The federal EPA is proposing a new rule to redefine “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS) to comply with the 2023 Sackett v. EPA Supreme Court decision and to cut government bureaucracy.
EPA puts modified WOTUS out for public comment - WV MetroNews
Capito, Morrisey praise the move.
wvmetronews.com
November 18, 2025 at 3:22 PM
The federal EPA is proposing a new rule to redefine “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS) to comply with the 2023 Sackett v. EPA Supreme Court decision and to cut government bureaucracy.
The state Department of Health says the makers of a baby formula are doing a voluntary recall. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced a recall Saturday of lots of ByHeart powdered infant formula.
Department of Health announces recall of some baby formula - WV MetroNews
Infant botulism reported in some states.
wvmetronews.com
November 12, 2025 at 2:10 PM
The state Department of Health says the makers of a baby formula are doing a voluntary recall. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced a recall Saturday of lots of ByHeart powdered infant formula.
FirstEnergy has announced plans to seek approval to construct a 1,200-megawatt combined-cycle natural gas plant.
First Energy announces plans for natural gas, solar power generation facilities - WV MetroNews
Permitting process to begin next year.
wvmetronews.com
November 10, 2025 at 2:30 PM
FirstEnergy has announced plans to seek approval to construct a 1,200-megawatt combined-cycle natural gas plant.
A recent study of in-state manufacturers shows that opportunities await new workers.
Thousands of manufacturing jobs needed in WV according to Marshall survey - WV MetroNews
Additional 2,700 full-time workers are needed over the next 12 months and nearly 7,000 over the next three years.
wvmetronews.com
November 5, 2025 at 2:17 PM
A recent study of in-state manufacturers shows that opportunities await new workers.
Superintendents from 31 county school districts in West Virginia will make their best funding pitches when they appear before the state School Building Authority Monday and Tuesday in Charleston.
School Building Authority set to hear $170 million in funding requests - WV MetroNews
County school superintendents to make their pitches Monday and Tuesday in Charleston.
wvmetronews.com
November 3, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Superintendents from 31 county school districts in West Virginia will make their best funding pitches when they appear before the state School Building Authority Monday and Tuesday in Charleston.
Citizen groups are continuing their efforts to uncover hidden information in an air pollution permit for a proposed Ridgeline facility in Tucker County, West Virginia.
WV residents seek answers on permit for data center power plant
Citizen groups are continuing their efforts to uncover hidden information in an air pollution permit for a proposed Ridgeline facility in Tucker County, West Virginia. A Virginia-based company, Fundam...
app.publicnewsservice.org
October 29, 2025 at 1:16 PM
Citizen groups are continuing their efforts to uncover hidden information in an air pollution permit for a proposed Ridgeline facility in Tucker County, West Virginia.
From the pulpit to the picket line: For many miners, religion and labor rights have long been connected in coal country.
From the pulpit to the picket line: For many miners, religion and labor rights have long been connected in coal country
The retirement of United Mine Workers of America’s longtime president is a reminder that labor and religion have always been entangled in coal country.
theconversation.com
October 22, 2025 at 1:43 PM
From the pulpit to the picket line: For many miners, religion and labor rights have long been connected in coal country.
Secretary of Commerce Matt Herridge is encouraged with West Virginia’s current economic state, but he has an eye for the near future.
Secretary of Commerce excited about state's economy, eager to build on state's natural strengths - WV MetroNews
Matt Herridge spoke before lawmakers during legislative interim meetings.
wvmetronews.com
October 20, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Secretary of Commerce Matt Herridge is encouraged with West Virginia’s current economic state, but he has an eye for the near future.
Gov. Patrick Morrisey said today that the State of West Virginia will continue paying to keep national parks open during a key tourism season as the federal shutdown continues.
Morrisey says state will continue paying to keep national parks open through Bridge Day and beyond - WV MetroNews
The extended agreement would keep the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park and New River Gorge National River open right as leaf-peeping draws a steady flow of fall tourism.
wvmetronews.com
October 15, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Gov. Patrick Morrisey said today that the State of West Virginia will continue paying to keep national parks open during a key tourism season as the federal shutdown continues.
The Morgantown Municipal Airport has served the community and West Virginia University for decades, but hasn’t been established as an economic engine for the future.
Morgantown, Monongalia County Commission explore joint management structure for Morgantown Airport - WV MetroNews
Supporters say it would maximize airport property with runway extension underway.
wvmetronews.com
October 13, 2025 at 1:43 PM
The Morgantown Municipal Airport has served the community and West Virginia University for decades, but hasn’t been established as an economic engine for the future.
A representative from the Governor’s Office described to lawmakers the urgency of meeting a November 5 deadline for a five-year funding application valued at approximately $100 million per year to support rural healthcare.
West Virginia is already up on deadline to apply for millions of dollars in rural health support - WV MetroNews
This is through The Rural Health Transformation Program, created under the 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act' to distribute $50 billion over five years across all 50 states to strengthen rural health care.
wvmetronews.com
October 8, 2025 at 3:08 PM
A representative from the Governor’s Office described to lawmakers the urgency of meeting a November 5 deadline for a five-year funding application valued at approximately $100 million per year to support rural healthcare.
West Virginia healthcare institutions are monitoring potential changes to temporary, non-immigrant visas by the Trump administration, which would allow U.S. employers to hire foreign workers with specialized skills.
West Virginia's rural health systems keep watch on big fee proposal for foreign personnel - WV MetroNews
In West Virginia, where rural hospitals are challenged to recruit medical personnel, any changes to the H-1B visa program are being watched with interest.
wvmetronews.com
October 6, 2025 at 1:15 PM
West Virginia healthcare institutions are monitoring potential changes to temporary, non-immigrant visas by the Trump administration, which would allow U.S. employers to hire foreign workers with specialized skills.
The State of West Virginia’s monthly revenue significantly exceeded estimates for both the month of September and the year-to-date performance.
State's collection totals were $43.7 million ahead of projections for the past month - WV MetroNews
Collections for the month totaled $585,698,090. That exceeded the monthly estimate of $542,016,000.
wvmetronews.com
October 2, 2025 at 1:10 PM
The State of West Virginia’s monthly revenue significantly exceeded estimates for both the month of September and the year-to-date performance.
Vision 2030, developed in collaboration with RTI International and Keen Point Consulting, is a plan designed to make West Virginia more competitive in science and technology grants and create a skilled workforce that will attract high-paying industries.
The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission Launches Vision 2030 - WV MetroNews
Program aims to make WV more competitive with science and technology grants.
wvmetronews.com
September 29, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Vision 2030, developed in collaboration with RTI International and Keen Point Consulting, is a plan designed to make West Virginia more competitive in science and technology grants and create a skilled workforce that will attract high-paying industries.
West Virginia’s largest food bank is expressing concern about the cancellation of a longstanding annual food insecurity survey that is used to help determine levels of need.
As federal agency halts annual food security report, West Virginia food bank says data is crucial - WV MetroNews
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced this week the termination of future Household Food Security Reports.
wvmetronews.com
September 24, 2025 at 1:30 PM
West Virginia’s largest food bank is expressing concern about the cancellation of a longstanding annual food insecurity survey that is used to help determine levels of need.
Governor Patrick Morrisey and others in West Virginia are pleased with what could come from the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP).
The RHTP would distribute $50 billion over five years across all 50 states to help rural healthcare across the nation.
The RHTP would distribute $50 billion over five years across all 50 states to help rural healthcare across the nation.
State officials believe new federal program will help lift up WV rural hospitals - WV MetroNews
Rural Health Transformation Program will distribute $50 billion over five years across all 50 states.
wvmetronews.com
September 22, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Governor Patrick Morrisey and others in West Virginia are pleased with what could come from the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP).
The RHTP would distribute $50 billion over five years across all 50 states to help rural healthcare across the nation.
The RHTP would distribute $50 billion over five years across all 50 states to help rural healthcare across the nation.
More than 30 county school systems hope to have their names called when the West Virginia School Building Authority decides later this year who should receive funding as part of the ‘Needs” grants program.
wvmetronews.com/2025/09/16/s...
wvmetronews.com/2025/09/16/s...
School Building Authority receives 'needs' funding requests from 32 counties - WV MetroNews
Formal presentations set for early November, final funding decisions in December.
wvmetronews.com
September 17, 2025 at 2:50 PM
More than 30 county school systems hope to have their names called when the West Virginia School Building Authority decides later this year who should receive funding as part of the ‘Needs” grants program.
wvmetronews.com/2025/09/16/s...
wvmetronews.com/2025/09/16/s...
The West Virginia Campaign for Jobs 2025 Digest shows where the state lands on a series of key business metrics. The report produced by the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce tracks the state’s economic health through 61 economic statistics, highlighting both positive and challenging areas.
West Virginia economic rankings are a mixed bag again, latest digest shows - WV MetroNews
The West Virginia Campaign for Jobs 2025 Digest shows where the state lands on a series of key business metrics.
wvmetronews.com
September 16, 2025 at 2:17 PM
The West Virginia Campaign for Jobs 2025 Digest shows where the state lands on a series of key business metrics. The report produced by the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce tracks the state’s economic health through 61 economic statistics, highlighting both positive and challenging areas.