SENATE RESOLUTION 58

(By Senators Prezioso, Stollings, Boso, Beach, and Plymale)

[Introduced March 1, 2018]

Recognizing the guiding principles and collaborative partnership of West Virginia Forward’s initiatives to advance West Virginia’s economic future.

Whereas, West Virginia University, Marshall University, and the Department of Commerce have partnered together for the West Virginia Forward collaboration to develop a blueprint to identify West Virginia’s unique assets and pair them with economic trends that will provide solutions and areas of emphasis to leverage growth and development opportunities to strengthen and diversify all regions of the state; and

Whereas, With a focus on short-term and long-term objectives, and a refined vision, West Virginia Forward is guided by principles that build on existing assets, grow and diversify new sectors, discover disruptive trends to find market-changing innovations, consider the region’s greatest regional impact, and find quick wins that produce change and growth; and

Whereas, West Virginia Forward’s collaborative efforts will focus on data-driven, nonpartisan, innovative solutions and opportunities; and

Whereas, The West Virginia Forward summary of findings identifies areas to advance West Virginia’s workforce, business climate, educational opportunities, community development, energy sector, cybersecurity, entrepreneurship, and infrastructure; and

Whereas, The West Virginia Forward initiative is an appropriate and vital effort to advance our state into prosperity, and energize partnerships while blazing a new path toward improving the state’s economic future; and

Whereas, The West Virginia Forward initiative is an outstanding example of collaboration between university partners, the Department of Commerce, and state leaders to continue developing strategies to improve West Virginia; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate:

That the Senate recognizes the guiding principles and collaborative partnership of West Virginia Forward’s initiatives to advance West Virginia’s economic future; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Senate acknowledges and appreciates the work of West Virginia Forward and the guidance, assistance, and information that it will provide to the Legislature as it works to advance the State of West Virginia to achieve its fullest potential; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to representatives from West Virginia University, Marshall University, and the West Virginia Department of Commerce.