daily304 - Episode 03.30.24

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.  

Today is Saturday, March 30 

The Marshall Advanced Manufacturing Center offers training to fill the skills gap. West Virginia’s elk herd expands by 23. And those country roads may take you home, but where do they lead? Find out on today’s daily304.

#1 – From INSIDE THE BLUEPRINT – The Marshall Advanced Manufacturing Center offers training in some of the most exciting and innovative areas of manufacturing. The focus is on training in high-value skills that will be in demand for decades to come that will position workers for well-paying jobs and careers in 21st century manufacturing. 

Through Apprenticeship Works, the center provides training in new and emerging technologies such as 3-D printing and robotics as well as established trades like welding and metals machining -- skills that are, and will remain, in high demand. The center partners with and serves businesses across the nation looking to create, sustain, and expand their businesses by developing a highly skilled workforce.

Watch the video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqPsaqqjezk

#2 – From WDVN – The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources has welcomed an additional 23 elk to the Tomblin Wildlife Management Area in Logan County, where the elk will be evaluated and held for a short period of time before being released into the wild.

“As a lifelong outdoorsman, witnessing the resurgence of West Virginia’s elk herd brings me immense joy and pride,” said Gov. Jim Justice. “This achievement underscores our unwavering commitment to preserving our state’s outdoor heritage and ensuring our abundant wildlife and natural resources are protected for generations to come.”

The elk transport, which brings West Virginia’s elk population to 140-150, is the final of two transports the WVDNR has planned this year. The WVDNR has recorded 60 native elk calf births since launching its Elk Restoration Project in 2016.

In the coming weeks, construction of the Tomblin Wildlife Management Area Visitor Center and Elk Viewing Platform in Logan County, announced by Gov. Justice in February, will begin and bring millions of economic development activity to the surrounding region.

Read more:

https://wvdn.com/135313/

#3 – From WBOY-TV – Take me home, country roads! Have you ever wondered where the Mountain State roads you drive regularly might take you if you just kept going?

U.S. Rt. 50 is the main road that connects north central West Virginia with places like Parkersburg and southern Ohio as well as the Eastern Panhandle and Maryland. The route runs from Ocean City, Maryland, all the way to Sacramento, California. 

Running mostly parallel to Interstate 79, U.S. Rt. 19 is another highly trafficked road for those in north central West Virginia as it intersects many towns. The road stretches vertically across the country from Erie, Pennsylvania all the way down to Memphis, Florida, near the Tampa area. 

Check out the story at WBOY to learn more road map geography. And remember, here in West Virginia, you’re more connected than you think!

Read more:

https://www.wboy.com/news/west-virginia/where-youll-end-up-if-you-drive-these-country-roads/

Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304.

The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo. 

That’s all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.