MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia’s U.S. senators are working with two of their Senate colleagues on trying to motivate industries and businesses to move near Interstate 68.
Sens. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., took part in a virtual discussion Friday with Maryland Sens. Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen about possible regional collaboration regarding the 112-mile interstate.
Among the business sectors mentioned were the aerospace industry, which includes the Rocket Center and Allegany Ballistics Laboratory, which create military weapons and aircraft.
The West Virginia portion of the corridor is growing at a slower pace than other parts because of the lack of urban areas. Capito, a member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, said the state can lure companies with West Virginia’s recreational options.
“They love to come out to work in a place where they can recreate, buy a larger piece of property and enjoy that region of our state,” she said.
Manchin touted the passage of the Great American Outdoors Act, which dedicates billions of dollars for maintaining national lands.
“It’s the greatest thing we’ve done for our environment in the last 50 years,” he said.
Capito also noted the need for affordable housing, broadband and roads as issues companies care about when opening new offices.