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* Though we have been hearing talk for years, it is wonderful to get confirmation Wood County will house one of the "nodes" of the Appalachian Hydrogen Hub. "Obviously, that region is part of the industrial heartland of the United States, so it will provide hydrogen to industry," a Biden administration official said last week. "It is also a transportation crossroads for the U.S., so it also has that element to it." Such a vital piece of our energy infrastructure will come with perhaps hundreds of local jobs, too. Our representatives in Washington, D.C., who helped make this happen are to be applauded.
* On a related note, last week's annual meeting of the Wood County Development Authority and the Parkersburg-Wood County Area Development Corporation included some insight from Wood County Development Executive Director Lindsey Piersol. "Economic development is the cornerstone on which the prosperity and wellbeing of a community, a state and a nation are built. It is about creating opportunities, improving living standards and securing a brighter future for all." Noting the possibility of upcoming projects reaching the announcement stage, Piersol said "I think at next year's annual meeting there will be a lot more to talk about." What an exciting prospect.
* Jay-Bee Oil & Gas Inc. of Ritchie County is a family-owned business that has been operating in the state since 1982. Last week it donated $200,000 to be disbursed over four years to help West Virginia University at Parkersburg's Riverhawk Farm and expand agriculture in the Mid-Ohio Valley. "We are always looking for opportunities to expand our mission to do good work, be a steward to our environment and be a good neighbor in the community we live and work," Deborah Broda-Morgan, president of Jay-Bee Oil, said. "We believe that agriculture is a great place to help the residents of West Virginia find new opportunities both economic and personal." Thank you, folks.