Economic Growth

martinsburg@herald-mail.com MARTINSBURG, W. Va. - After giving an economic outlook for the Eastern Panhandle during a seminar attended Thursday by around 150 business people and local officials, a West Virginia University professor said nobody needed to rush out for a "stiff drink. " The forecast for this region is excellent, said George W. Hammond, director of the West Virginia Outlook project and a research assistant professor at WVU's College of Business and Economics. "All in all, (it is)

Results as of 4:30 p.m. Wednesday Is the redevelopment of the former Fort Ritchie Army base important to the economic growth of Washington County and surrounding areas? Yes, it will bring jobs - 98 votes (48 percent) Maybe, but I'm skeptical - 61 votes (30 percent) No, what a waste - 45 votes (22 percent)

CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. - A former Miss West Virginia was winning comfortably in her quest for a seat in the House of Delegates Tuesday, according to complete but unofficial election results in Jefferson County. Tiffany Lawrence, 26, of Ranson, W.Va., campaigned on economic growth, health care and education in her quest to serve the 58th District. She previously told The Herald-Mail that Eastern Panhandle teachers need a benefit that would help them deal with higher costs of living.

CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. -- A former Miss West Virginia was winning comfortably in her quest for a seat in the House of Delegates Tuesday, according to complete but unofficial election results in Jefferson County. Tiffany Lawrence, 26, of Ranson, W.Va., campaigned on economic growth, health care and education in her quest to serve the 58th District. She previously told The Herald-Mail that Eastern Panhandle teachers need a benefit that would help them deal with higher costs of living.

Strategic Planning Dinner offers economic encouragement By ANDREA BROWN-HURLEY / Staff Writer Despite a nationwide economic slowdown, many factors point to continued economic growth in Maryland and Washington County, the state's top economic development official said Monday. continued "Maryland literally has the hottest economy of any state in the region," said David S. Iannucci, secretary of the Maryland Department of Business & Economic Development.

ARC unveils plan for distressed counties By DAVE McMILLION / Staff Writer, Charles Town SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. - An $85 million plan to ensure economically disadvantaged counties in Appalachia enjoy the same strong economic growth the rest of the nation has achieved was approved here Wednesday. The proposal was approved by the Appalachian Regional Commission, a 35-year-old organization that has funneled $7.8 billion into the Appalachian region for social and economic development since its inception.

Callaham needs to support his characterization       To the editor:   In his own words, Art Callaham says he is "... an unabashed Constitutionalist" and fiscal conservative, who is opposed to expanded government, raising taxes and "anything that is illegal," including immigration, and who is in favor of both business and economic growth.    Can this be the same Art Callaham who not only voted for, but publicly supported and funded soon-to-be ex-senator and RINO Donald F. Munson?

charlestown@herald-mail.com RANSON, W.Va. - The Home Depot will be among the stores that will call the new Potomac Marketplace shopping center home, Ranson Mayor David Hamill said Tuesday. Hamill made the announcement Tuesday morning in Ranson City Council chambers, where a group of local business officials and a developer of the center also gathered. Potomac Marketplace is being built along the Charles Town Bypass on a property that was recently annexed into the city of Ranson.

Panhandle growth to continue By DON AINES Staff Writer, Martinsburg MARTINSBURG, W.Va. - The Eastern Panhandle should see economic growth over the next five years that exceeds the rest of the state and more closely mirrors the performance of the national economy, according to West Virginia University's Bureau of Business and Economic Research. "It's more diversified than most regions and that's a big advantage," said George Hammond, an assistant professor with the bureau, to more than 100 business and political leaders Thursday at the Eastern Panhandle Economic Conference.

Efforts to kick-start economic growth through tax abatement received a boost Monday evening when the Greencastle Borough Council approved three zones eyed for property improvements. Now, the Borough of Greencastle and surrounding Antrim Township have Local Economic Revitalization Tax Abatement, or LERTA, programs. The Greencastle-Antrim School Board also has agreed to participate. Through LERTA, a commercial property owner can receive tax savings for a period of time after making property improvements.

The United Way and Community Foundation of Washington County are writing monthly columns in The Herald-Mail to keep the Strategic Community Impact Plan (SCIP) process in the forefront of the community's conscience and to report on the progress that is being made toward the SCIP goals. We are pleased to report that the community is engaged.  With all of the talk in the community recently about economic development and jobs, we felt it was timely to reconsider the goal that was established by the SCIP Jobs and Economic Development Focus Group.

The five years of economic difficulty this country has experienced have been especially hard on the Cumberland Valley. Unemployment rates have been high and doggedly persistent. If the nation has had a slow and weak recovery, ours has been sluggardly and positively anemic. The periodic Herald-Mail economic analysis of Washington County reveals a sad tale of two steps forward and one back. We needed a mild winter and an early spring, as a vacation from nature's ardors, to give us strength and energy to cope with the ones we have managed to create for ourselves.

Callaham needs to support his characterization       To the editor:   In his own words, Art Callaham says he is "... an unabashed Constitutionalist" and fiscal conservative, who is opposed to expanded government, raising taxes and "anything that is illegal," including immigration, and who is in favor of both business and economic growth.    Can this be the same Art Callaham who not only voted for, but publicly supported and funded soon-to-be ex-senator and RINO Donald F. Munson?

The Enclave Business Society introduced itself to the Hagerstown community Saturday by holding a football party for the youths of Washington County. "It's just to let Hagerstown know we're here and trying to do some things for the community," said Wayne Sutphin, president of the Enclave Business Society. "The football season is just starting, so it was natural to have a football theme. " Sutphin said the organization will move into its new digs at 17 W. Washington St. behind The Plum restaurant next month.

CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. - A former Miss West Virginia was winning comfortably in her quest for a seat in the House of Delegates Tuesday, according to complete but unofficial election results in Jefferson County. Tiffany Lawrence, 26, of Ranson, W.Va., campaigned on economic growth, health care and education in her quest to serve the 58th District. She previously told The Herald-Mail that Eastern Panhandle teachers need a benefit that would help them deal with higher costs of living.

CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. -- A former Miss West Virginia was winning comfortably in her quest for a seat in the House of Delegates Tuesday, according to complete but unofficial election results in Jefferson County. Tiffany Lawrence, 26, of Ranson, W.Va., campaigned on economic growth, health care and education in her quest to serve the 58th District. She previously told The Herald-Mail that Eastern Panhandle teachers need a benefit that would help them deal with higher costs of living.

Results as of 4:30 p.m. Wednesday Is the redevelopment of the former Fort Ritchie Army base important to the economic growth of Washington County and surrounding areas? Yes, it will bring jobs - 98 votes (48 percent) Maybe, but I'm skeptical - 61 votes (30 percent) No, what a waste - 45 votes (22 percent)

charlestown@herald-mail.com RANSON, W.Va. - The Home Depot will be among the stores that will call the new Potomac Marketplace shopping center home, Ranson Mayor David Hamill said Tuesday. Hamill made the announcement Tuesday morning in Ranson City Council chambers, where a group of local business officials and a developer of the center also gathered. Potomac Marketplace is being built along the Charles Town Bypass on a property that was recently annexed into the city of Ranson.