TEAM-WV bill next in House ‘Jobs First’ agenda
(West Virginia Capitol News - Graphic Illustration generated with the use of ChatGPT)
CHARLESTON — The latest bill in the House of Delegates Republican caucus’ “Jobs First – Opportunity Everywhere” economic development agenda would create a program similar to an Ohio initiative meant to take politics out of economic development decisions. The House Finance Committee recommended a committee substitute Thursday for House Bill 4001, creating the TEAM-WV corporation, for passage to the full House. TEAM-WV would be a private, non-stock nonprofit corporation designed to modernize and accelerate economic development in West Virginia. It would function as a depoliticized partner to the Department of Commerce, focusing on business recruitment, site readiness and workforce integration while utilizing private-sector expertise. The program would be funded by allowing the new corporation to manage the state’s wholesale alcohol distribution through a $30 million annual contract, reinvesting profits back into growth initiatives. TEAM-WV’s board of directors would consist of nine members, with the presidents of West Virginia University and Marshall University and the executive director of the West Virginia Investment Management Board serving as nonvoting members. The remaining six board members would be appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. TEAM-WV cannot approve awards involving public money. All grants, loans and tax incentives for business recruitment would remain functions of the Department of Commerce. But TEAM-WV would assist in evaluating the department and formulating economic recommendations. The corporation would be allowed to manage programs, conduct research and negotiate on behalf of the state. The bill mandates strict conflict-of-interest policies, annual audits and transparency requirements for public meetings. House Finance Committee Vice Chairman Clay Riley, R-Harrison, is the lead sponsor of HB 4001, which he said has been in the works for a number of years. “The purpose of this is to promote economic development, job creation, job retention, job training, and really accelerate the recruitment of business to this state,” Riley said. “Our economic development division does a great job. However, I think this is just another opportunity.” While the bill is influenced by a number of similar programs across the nation, TEAM-WV takes much of its lineage from JobsOhio, a private, nonprofit economic development corporation created in 2011 that focuses on business recruitment for a number of sectors, including aerospace, advanced manufacturing, automotive, technology and others. “One of the key successes that you saw in Ohio was the Intel project, which was about a $20 billion investment,” Riley said. “That project was way behind from a recruitment standpoint.” Riley said part of HB 4001 was based on a nearly decade-old study, called West Virginia Forward, which recommended the state focus on recruiting companies in the technology, energy, aviation and manufacturing industries. Greg Hoyer, vice president of external and government affairs for Hope Gas and Hope Utilities in Morgantown, told the committee similar programs in other states have been helpful in streamlining decision-making for major economic development projects. “One of the things that we have seen in some of our operating states is an ability to connect directly with the developer and the companies that are developing,” he said. “And that gives us an opportunity to build out additional infrastructure in the locations that we are working with the specific developer.” The House Finance Committee also recommended for passage to the full House on Thursday HB 4010, which would provide a statutory framework for lending state funds to local airports for hangar construction. Since the start of the session, eight of the House’s Jobs First bills have been passed and sent to the Senate. Senate Bill 1, the Small Business Growth Act, which includes parts of a House Jobs First bill, has already been signed by Gov. Patrick Morrisey. Steven Allen Adams can be reached at sadams@newsandsentinel.comLocal News
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