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* With the help of West Virginia University-Parkersburg, Metallica's All Within My Hands program continues to make a difference for local students and our economy. The program's Metallica Scholars Initiative is in its eighth year at WVUP, and this year includes nursing and healthcare, optical systems technology, automotive repair, maritime manufacturing, firefighting and EMT, pipefitting and agriculture. "Every Metallica Scholar has a story of determination, resilience and hope. For eight years, this extraordinary partnership has helped our students move from possibility to purpose by providing the resources they need to complete their education and begin meaningful careers," said Torie Jackson, president of WVUP. Scholarships awarded at WVUP include computer science, computer information technology and digital media production. "We're so proud of all the Metallica Scholars who have come through it and all the ones who will participate in it. It's humbling to know we've been part of the journey of thousands of trade professionals doing good, hard work in the world," James Hetfield, co-founder and lead vocalist of Metallica, said. With support from Metallica, for 127 students here and thousands across the country, success is a "Dream No More."
* According to Wood County Economic Development Executive Director Lindsey Piersol, there are multiple development prospects in the works for our region. Regarding nine projects for which evaluations are under way, Piersol said "They are all manufacturing related. We have one that is evaluating two sites in Wood County. Another is evaluating one site, that has been here twice, and that is an international company." Interest in development around the Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Airport appears to be on the uptick, too, as Andy Daniel, president of the Wood County Airport Authority and member of the Parkersburg-Wood County Development Authority said, the request for information about the airport mean "it is moving in the right direction." That's good news for Mid-Ohio Valley residents who will now eagerly await the next steps and more information as the process continues.