daily304 - Episode 08.09.2023

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

Today is Wednesday, Aug. 9  

#1 – From WV NEWS –  NASA’s Katherine Johnson Independent Verification and Validation Facility in Fairmont celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, and officials hope that the key work that the facility does for the agency is successful for the next 30 years.

The IV&V Facility’s main mission is to routinely examine software on developing NASA missions to determine any glitches or failures in the system ahead of launch, allowing for the project — be that a manned mission, a satellite launch or another science project — to be as successful as possible once it’s on the launch pad.

Facility Director Wes Deadrick said the IV&V Facility employs 260 contractors and 50 civil servants for a total of 310 people, the majority of whom live and work in West Virginia. In addition, the facility had an estimated economic output of $140 million in 2022.

Deadrick said that moving forward, the IV&V facility will continue supporting the many NASA missions in the works, whether those be satellites, probes, manned missions or something else. He added that he thinks the agency at large — and other external entities — will make more use of the facility’s service.

Read more:

https://www.wvnews.com/statejournal/news/nasa-iv-v-facility-in-fairmont-west-virginia-turns-30/article_fbbb3290-26f6-11ee-bfdd-bf4c19e3b12a.html

#2 – From THE TRAVEL  –  Charleston is not just West Virginia's capital; it's also the cultural hub of the state and has just everything for everyone. Vacationers traveling from big cities like Pittsburgh, Charlotte and Lexington can reach Charleston in less than three hours. One of the city's major draws is its spectacular scenery, which also gives it an incredible charm of a small town because much of it is wilderness. 

Plan on visiting? Check out some of these must-sees in the Capitol City:

Tour the West Virginia State Museum. (It’s free!) Attend a concert at the Clay Center for the Arts & Sciences. Shop at Capitol Market. Visit Cato Park, and more!

Visit www.charlestonwv.com to learn more and start planning your Almost Heaven adventure in West Virginia’s capital city!

Read more:

https://www.thetravel.com/things-to-do-in-charleston-west-virginia/#pay-respects-at-the-veterans-memorial

#3 – From WV.GOV –  With over 111,000+ small businesses, representing over 98% of all businesses, along with employing nearly half of all employees, entrepreneurs and small business owners are the backbone and driving force behind West Virginia’s growing economy.

To help entrepreneurs and small business owners be successful, we have cultivated and built a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem throughout the state to ensure that you can access the resources you need, when you need it.

Whether you have an idea for a new product or service, need funding to start a new business, or an existing company that is poised to grow and expand, we are ready to help you and your business be successful in Almost Heaven – Yes, West Virginia!

Read more:

https://westvirginia.gov/entrepreneurship/

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.