Your Input Is Critical As West Virginia Moves Forward

Your Input Is Critical As West Virginia Moves Forward

by Governor Joe Manchin

During the past 18 months, our state has accomplished so much because we've brought many people from different backgrounds to the same table, working together with one common goal - a better West Virginia for our children and grandchildren. As I've said from my first day as Governor, if West Virginia is going to move forward and build a positive economic future everyone must be involved.

The figurative table around which we're discussing our state's future and formulating the best approaches to managing our future growth is a large one. A little more than two weeks ago, I joined a diverse group of leaders from our business, labor, education and senior communities, led by "West Virginia: A Vision Shared," to kickoff a statewide series of stakeholder meetings that will provide West Virginians with a seat at this table to discuss West Virginia's future.

I mentioned our many statewide partners, which include the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce, the West Virginia AFL-CIO, the United Mine Workers of America, the West Virginia Business and Industry Council, the West Virginia Manufacturers Association, the West Virginia Hospital Association, AARP West Virginia, West Virginia Education Association and many more organizations as well as representatives from the West Virginia Legislature. Never before have you seen a group this diverse coming together to support a single issue, let alone work together on a multitude of issues important to the future of our state.

Everyone is a stakeholder in the process of moving West Virginia forward, and the May 31 stakeholders' session in Clarksburg began a series of meetings that will continue throughout the state, providing all West Virginians an opportunity to have their voices heard in this continuing discussion and dialogue.

Unlike how things normally work, our "West Virginia: A Vision Shared" panel of state leaders is using this series of meetings as an opportunity not to speak, but to listen. We want to hear from West Virginians living and working in our communities, to get your input and solutions on the steps we can take together to improve the quality of life in our state and build a brighter economic future.

West Virginia is so close to getting to the next level of economic and job creation success, and truly being competitive with every other state in our nation. If we are to build and sustain West Virginia's economy of the future and create and sustain good jobs with health care benefits, your input is critical. Everyone has a seat at our table, so I invite all West Virginians join us in our discussions during the coming months.

I appreciate those West Virginians who took the time to join us for our first meeting in Clarksburg, and for being a part of this effort. As we prepare for a next "West Virginia: A Vision Shared" stakeholders session in the Eastern Panhandle later this summer, I look forward to hearing your ideas and receiving your valuable input as we move forward - working together for a better West Virginia.

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