West Virginia will see a renewed focus on economic development and competition with surrounding states through initiatives set to be taken on under Gov. Patrick Morrisey.
Morrisey addressed the press on Thursday, discussing what he has for several months dubbed the “Backyard Brawl” for regional economic development, referring to a football term used for local rivalries.
“I think that the reason I’ve talked about that for a long time is that I’m a believer in the power of competition,” Morrisey said. “That if you start to look at what your state is doing in the economic arena and you compare it to all the states that you touch, you start to have barometers of where you stand and how you can be better at what you do.”
The focus of the effort is going to hinge strongly on developing energy infrastructure and, through that, competition with surrounding states as well as other general metrics for business and economic growth, Morrisey said.
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“We know that for West Virginia to unleash its true potential, we have to be an energy powerhouse, and that means taking advantage of all of our energy resources,” Morrisey said.
Todd Johnston, who was named earlier this month to serve as Morrisey’s deputy chief of staff, will be a crucial lead for the new “Backyard Brawl” initiative. Johnston comes to West Virginia with a background in energy, natural resource and infrastructure policies as well as regulatory compliance issues. He previously served as a vice president of ConservAmerica, a conservative-leaning nonprofit focused on “market-based solutions” to promote environmental conservation alongside economic development.
Johnston will work as the director of West Virginia’s new “energy, infrastructure, and competitiveness” program, Morrisey announced. In that position, he will coordinate with the Governor’s Office, the Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Transportation as well as commerce and economic development representatives across the state.
Specifically, Morrisey said, the new efforts will key in on improving “fundamentals” across the state that he believes will drive economic growth and development.
As it is early in the process, not many specifics were outlined Thursday for what projects or initiatives may be undertaken for this work. Morrisey did say he would like to see efforts as soon as possible to accelerate permit application approvals, which can delay the start and completion of certain projects.
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The policies Morrisey said he wants to see advanced are similar to ones stressed by former Gov. Jim Justice who, since earlier this month, is serving in the U.S. Senate. Justice regularly described himself as a pro-business governor and, as the operator of several coal mines, lamented national policies that he felt undercut West Virginia’s energy and economic potential.
West Virginia still ranks low nationally in several metrics for private business successes, Morrisey said. The state is ranked 40th in CNBC’s 2024 top states for business and 49th in Forbes’ best states for business report. While Forbes listed West Virginia as 13th nationally for business costs, the state ranked 50th for labor supply, the regulatory environment and potential growth prospects, Morrisey pointed out.
“We were near the bottom in a lot of different categories. I want to change that,” Morrisey said. “West Virginians deserve to have that change so we can start to really rise in the economic rankings.”
When asked how his approach to economic and energy development would differ from Justice’s despite sharing similar strategies and goals, Morrisey said he wasn’t interested in looking at the past.
“I think the important thing is we’re not gonna look back. We’re going to build on strengths and there’s been some positive things [like Roads to Prosperity],” Morrisey said. “I want to level-set with people about where we are, what we’re inheriting and how we have to go forward. I think you’re going to see a level of vigor, you’re gonna see a level of dedication focused on competition that the state has never seen before.”
Join the Main Street Morgantown family-friendly holiday shopping event from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday (Dec. 13) in Downtown Morgantown.
The event will feature a district-wide scavenger hunt for a chance to win prizes and the opportunity to explore holiday pop-up markets by Hoot and Howl, The Co-Op and Apothecary Ale House.
While exploring downtown shops, participants who spot DASH the Dog can collect stamps. Each stamp brings participants closer to the chance of winning prizes from downtown merchants such as gift cards and goods. To qualify for prizes, completed Downtown Dash Guides with five or more stamps must be turned into Hoot and Howl, The Co-Op, Apothecary Ale House or at Breezeline’s play-to-win tent on Courthouse Square.
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As a break from shopping, parents and their little ones can visit Kids Craft, Cookies & Cocoa Central at the WARD Building to enjoy a complimentary hot cocoa and cookie bar and children’s crafts provided by Hotel Morgan sponsored by Main Street Morgantown and Breezeline.
Visitors can also visit the beautiful 25-foot-tall holiday tree on display at Courthouse Square, a collaboration between the City of Morgantown, Monongalia County and Main Street Morgantown.
Sponsored by Breezeline, the Downtown Dash celebrates the holiday season, promotes walking and shopping throughout the downtown district, and supports local businesses by driving foot traffic directly to storefronts.
WHEELING, W.Va. — The West Virginia First Foundation visited the Wheeling Police Department to commend its efforts in addressing the area’s mental health and opioid crisis.
Wheeling Police Chief Shawn Schwertfeger presented to the WVFF board, highlighting the department’s progress.
Schwertfeger attributed a 14% decrease in Group A crimes from 2024 to 2025 to the department’s crisis intervention program.
“Just another great partnership,” he said. “More collaboration in this area that we are very proud of and we want to keep the momentum going,.”
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WVFF Executive Director Jonathan Board praised the program’s success.
“This in particular, the CIT program, that isn’t just in the ether, but is showing success – actual scientific success about de-escalation, about bringing together services providers and to boots on the ground and first responders, this is vitally important to not only this region but the entire state,” Board said.
The visit was part of WVFF’s ‘Hold the Line’ tour across the state.
