West Virginia University at Parkersburg President Torie Jackson addressed the annual meeting of the Wood County Development Authority Wednesday night at the Parkersburg Country Club to talk about the work being done to turn the former Ohio Valley University into the new WVU Parkersburg Innovation and Technology Center. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)

VIENNA — Plans are coming together to provide a number of educational and entrepreneurial opportunities at the new WVU Parkersburg Innovation and Technology Center, the university’s president told local development officials Wednesday evening.

WVU Parkersburg President Torie Jackson addressed the annual meeting of the Wood County Development Authority at the Parkersburg Country Club to talk about the work being done to turn the former Ohio Valley University into the new technology center, which is expected to have its first phase open and operating in the Fall of 2025.

Jackson talked about the renovation being done at the Stotts Administration Building as well as other plans for the 255.22 acres of property bought last year by the West Virginia University at Parkersburg Foundation with assistance from the Ross Foundation in the form of a $10 million gift, the largest received by any community college in West Virginia.

Jackson highlighted the renovation work being done including a new roof being put on the Stotts Building, a total of seven different roofs; a new boiler room (which cost over $800,000 to renovate) and more. There are plans for co-working spaces and large meeting areas that can accommodate large conferences. The former library will be turned into a daycare facility.

Plans are in place to move the fountain outside the Stotts Building to the corner where the former cafeteria was as they are going to put a road through the space where the fountain was. They are looking for someone who can set up a nice restaurant in the former cafeteria space.

There is a project underway to replace all the windows and doors as well as electricity upgrades. They are designing classroom spaces.

WVUP is moving computer information technology, computer science as well as adding a Cloud computing two-year degree, a mechanical engineering program and more.

The former gym will be converted into a manufacturing space and there will be shipping and receiving capabilities on site as well. Businesses located there will be able to do development and research work onsite.

They are looking to eventually bring in 25 businesses that will be housed at the facility, including new businesses and ways to expand existing businesses. It will be an opportunity for students to have employment and more.

“You will be able to do it here,” Jackson said. “It is an amazing opportunity for entrepreneurship.”

We are focusing on technology, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for retail or service businesses as well.

A road to the campus is being planned off of 12th Street in Vienna.

WVUP officials will be at the Vienna City Council meeting tonight to discuss an annexation of around 99 acres from the county to the city to “help with roads and other projects as we move forward,” Jackson said adding they will appear before the Wood County Commission on Oct. 28 to get their approval for the annexation.

The former soccer and baseball fields will be given to Wood County Schools as a site to possibly build a new Vienna Elementary School. There is also the potential to build and develop over 75 housing spots on the property

With part of the campus opening in Fall 2025, more work will continue to be done.

“We will continue to work on it after that time,” Jackson said of many plans for the space will be done in phases.

Plans for the center are at around $31 million expense.

The Foundation is announcing a $9 million capital campaign for the project to which the Board of Governors has contributed $5 million.

“With their gift, we now want to raise $4 million from our community,” Jackson said.

Jackson said she believes in being in contact with area business leaders to gauge what they need from their workforce and what educational opportunities need to be in place to make those happen.

“I believe we can only transform our community when we work together,” she said. “Together, we can achieve more.”

Brett Dunlap can be reached at bdunlap@newsandsentinel.com