The West Virginia Business and Industrial Council has partnered with the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce and the West Virginia Economic Council to sponsor a series of business and political forums around the state during 2015. 

Our goal is to bring attention to local economic activity and future growth opportunities. The forums will feature up-to-date discussions on tax and legal fairness, as well as educational, energy and general business topics. They will include a line-up of industry and business leaders from around the state.

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service published a Federal Register Notice today formally designating the Northern Long-Eared Bat as threatened species under the Endangered Species Act.  The F&WS has also published an interim rule to address activities that may adversely impact the bat and its habitat.  Information on the listing and the interim rule are available at https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2015/04/02/2015-07069/endangered-and-threatened-wildlife-and-plants-threatened-species-status-for-the-northern-long-eared

The 2015 Joint Spring Meeting of the WV Coal Association, the WV Coal Mining Institute and the Central Appalachian Section of SME will be held at the Stonewall Jackson Resort, May 13-15, 2015.

A block of rooms has been reserved for our meeting and will terminate on Monday, April 6.  Please make your reservation by calling Stonewall Jackson at 1-888-278-8150 and advise them that you are with the WV Coal Mining Institute group.  The block cost is $140.00 plus tax per night for single or double rooms.

Alpha Engineering Services will be hosting Basic & Advanced Topics in Mine Ventilation Seminars for the professional, practitioner and other interested persons on April 23 & 24 in Beckley, WV and May 13 & 14 in Evansville, IN.  These seminars will provide an opportunity for introducing, refreshing or upgrading skills and concepts of mine ventilation for the engineering and technical professional and those who have an interest in the practical aspects of mine ventilation.  For additional information, contact Ellen at Alpha Engineering:  304-255.4131 or ehartsog@alphaengineer.com.

The Friends of Coal was on hand Wednesday at the Point Pleasant River Museum and Learning Center for a day-long program, “Who Works the River?,” presented by the Mason County Schools and the Riverworks Discovery Center. The organization, along with the West Virginia Coal Association was a sponsor of the event and it also manned an informational booth and exhibit as part of the event.

More than 100 students from Point Pleasant Jr./Sr. High School, Hannan High School and Wahama High School attended the program organized by RiverWorks Discovery. RiverWorks Discovery is a national outreach education effort of the National River Center and Hall of Fame located at the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium.