Charleston Area Alliance Responds to

Recent Cutbacks

Like all West Virginians, we are saddened to learn of the announcement by NiSource and Chesapeake Energy to cut back operations in the Mountain State. These companies have been an integral part of our state for years. Through their growth in the energy sector, they have played a leading role in building our state's economy and provided families throughout West Virginia with good jobs and economic opportunity. The current economic crisis has forced businesses throughout the world to make difficult choices, and we know these decisions were not easy.

The Charleston Area Alliance encourages both Chesapeake Energy and Nisource to keep Charleston on the top of the list for job additions when economic times improve. As the region's economic development authority, we stand ready to assist any business through these challenging times.

While we cannot hide from the disappointing news of the global crisis as it hits home in West Virginia, we have reason to hope. Although good news is often overshadowed by the bad, we want to shine a spotlight on companies that are growing and hiring.

Since January, we've seen – through the hard work of Senator Rockefeller, the state, the Kanawha County Commission and the City of Charleston – the addition of a direct flight from Charleston to New York. Unisys has announced 20 good-paying job openings for those in the information technology and health care fields, and the Alliance is assisting Unisys with its career fair, scheduled for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 5 at the Charleston Civic Center.

Bayer Crop Science announced last month it would be hiring 20 new employees. CASCI added 22 jobs in the 4th quarter of 2008 and plans to add more new positions in 2009. Ticketmaster added jobs at their Northgate location, and TRG has announced an expansion.

We see similar announcements on the horizon, and the Alliance will continue to work for a more vibrant community and prosperous economy, stepping up efforts to make the region more attractive to prospective employers, organizing events that highlight the positive and doing whatever we can to help companies trying to thrive in a down market.

We would encourage local citizens to remember Web-based resources, such as the Alliance’s blog, where the Alliance often posts job openings for member businesses. In addition, the Alliance Facebook and Linkedin groups often feature job postings.

Those who are seeking jobs also are encouraged to send their resumes electronically to the Charleston Area Alliance for placement in a resume bank used by local employers to info@charlestonareaalliance.org.