7/27/2011
CHARLESTON, W.Va. —The West Virginia Development Office is taking its competition for new business investment to a new level: the national airwaves. The state will unveil its first national television commercial in support of economic development on the CBS and Golf Channel networks during coverage of the second PGA TOUR’s Greenbrier Classic.
The golf event takes place July 25-31 at The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs. The state’s economic development commercial "Business at the Speed of Life" airs during Greenbrier Classic coverage on Thursday-Sunday on the Golf Channel and Saturday and Sunday on CBS.
"The best people to talk about the advantages of doing business in West Virginia are the executives succeeding here," said state Secretary of Commerce Keith Burdette. "We believe this testimonial ad will attract other CEOs and encourage them to consider West Virginia, ultimately creating new jobs for the state. That’s a message that can bring pride to all West Virginians.
The :30-second commercial can be seen online at
www.businessatthespeedoflife.com, along with profiles of other successful West Virginia companies.
Featured in the commercial are executives from two successful companies in West Virginia. Paul Lambert is the president and CEO of STaSIS Engineering, an automotive performance-enhancing company. STaSIS transferred its corporate headquarters from California to West Virginia’s Summit Point Motorsports Park in Summit Point in 2009. Gerard El Chaar is senior vice president of operations for Coldwater Creek, a specialty clothing and accessories retailer based in Idaho. The success of its distribution center in Parkersburg led Coldwater to expand the facility to its current size of nearly one million square feet.
"A national message dedicated to attracting businesses to the state is an assertive move," said Burdette. "It sends the message that West Virginia has seen dramatic, positive changes in our business climate and in our ability to compete for business nationally."
The state economic development message will appear in rotation with a Division of Tourism commercial. Both the West Virginia Development Office and the Division of Tourism are divisions of the West Virginia Department of Commerce
West Virginia has many positive economic achievements that will be reflected in its ongoing message about the state’s business climate. Since 2005, West Virginia has seen over $15.2 billion in new business investments. The state closed its 2011 fiscal year with a surplus of nearly $330 million; the sixth year in a row with a surplus – without a tax increase. West Virginia has one of the strongest Rainy Day funds of any state.
"The state’s approach to responsible government has produced a very positive business climate," Burdette said. "We have cleared the way for business growth through tax cuts, workers’ compensation reform, investment in university research and other strategic economic development initiatives."
Contact Information
Catherine Zacchi
304-957-9340
catherine.m.zacchi@wv.gov