SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 49
(By Senators Browning, Unger, D. Facemire, Helmick, Kessler,
McCabe, Snyder, Stollings, Wells and Williams)
[Originating in the Committee on Economic Development]
Supporting the efforts of the Governor in developing the South
Charleston Technology Park as a viable research based economic
development incubator.
Whereas, for more than 50 years, the Union Carbide Tech
Center, now called the South Charleston Technology Park, was
arguably the top research center in the chemical industry, issuing
thousands of patents which resulted in globally distributed
products worth billions of dollars; and
Whereas, the UC Tech Center once employed more than 2,600,
including many scientists and engineers with advanced degrees as
well as a large support staff of highly skilled technicians and
operators, with a mid-1990's average pay of more than $75,000 which
was significantly higher than average in the state and contributed
greatly to the region's economy; and
Whereas, West Virginia is in need to both diversify its
economy and expand on its leadership position in energy, chemicals
and related technologies; and
Whereas, in his recent State of the Union address, President
Obama pledged his support for "continued investments in clean coal
technologies," announcing the creation of a special task force to
explore carbon capture and storage just last week when Governor
Manchin, and other governors from other major coal producing states
met with the President; and
Whereas, the South Charleston Technology Park has more than
$200 million in existing infrastructure to rapidly move scientific
discovery into the marketplace to solve environmental issues,
increase our technical leadership in clean coal, natural gas and
renewable energy, and create new manufacturing jobs; and
Whereas, the South Charleston Technology Park can be an
economic engine for the local economy much like the Research
Triangle Park in North Carolina, which has created more than 43,000
high-quality jobs and attracted over 150 new companies to their
region;
therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate:
That the Senate hereby supports the efforts of the Governor to
develop the South Charleston Technology Park as a
viable research
based economic development incubator
and encourages all political
subdivisions contained in Kanawha County to support the same; and,
be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward
a copy of this resolution to the appropriate representatives of the political subdivisions contained in Kanawha County.