Tag: west virginia

WVU and CDC Partner to Promote Healthy Lifestyles

by Ciara Litchfield

West Virginia University has recently partnered with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention in order to help promote healthy lifestyles in a state that isn’t so healthy compared to others. 

Photo by WVUToday.com

The program, called Be Wild, Be Wonderful, Be Healthy, provides funding for 18 organizations in Clay and McDowell counties that increase access to healthy foods and encourages physical activity. The program leaves much of the planning up to the organizations in order for them to decide what serves their community best and what would be most effective in engaging the community. 

The project coordinator for the program, Kerry Gabbert said that, “We look forward to seeing the unique ways community organizations in Clay and McDowell counties work to create opportunities for their residents to be more active and make healthier food choices. Each community has its own set of challenges, and our contractual partners have creative, strategic plans to move their communities forward and overcome some of those challenges.”

This program hopes to help reduce obesity rates in a state that currently leads the rest of the United States.  Obesity in W.Va. adults stands at 39.5 percent, closely followed by Mississippi, according to a report released by the Trust for America’s Health.

In the counties where this program launched, there aren’t many options for healthy foods. In Clay County, the only grocery store has closed and in McDowell County the only Walmart has left.

Many rural West Virginians don’t live that close to fresh produce and are one of the states least likely to report exercising 3 times a week for at least 30 minutes. 


Some factors that contribute to obesity include lack of regular activity and a healthy diet, genetics, illnesses and medication. Food insecurity is also a major contributor to obesity in West Virginia which means that they worry about having enough money to buy healthy meals. When people stress about money, many often chose low cost options such as fast food because they are easily accessible and low cost in comparison to fresh, healthy produce.

They encourage people to follow the program’s Instagram. Their posts provide followers with helpful tips to stay active and healthy recipes that are easy to follow.

Wineries and Vineyards in Talks in the Eastern Panhandle Among 2nd-Year Growth in Tourism

by Ciara Litchfield

After the news that West Virginia’s tourism industry grew for the second year, Governor Jim Justice announced on Oct 23, 2019 that his administration would be exploring possibilities to expanding vineyards and wineries in the eastern panhandle of the state. 

Justice believes that the region has the potential due to the similarities it shares with Virginia across the border, which has seen success in their vineyards and wineries. In 2015, wineries had contributed $1.37 billion dollars to the economy in Virginia.

“This could truly be a phenomenal green initiative that would lead to a major economic boost, more jobs, and a significant uptick in tourism in our beautiful Eastern Panhandle,” Gov. Justice said. “If you go to places like Jefferson and Berkeley counties, and look right across the border in Virginia, there’s been a concentrated effort to promote vineyards and wineries and it’s really been a big plus to the economy.”

West Virginia currently has 12 wineries and vineyards across the state, with one even near Morgantown. The Forks of Cheat Winery provides visitors with tours of the vineyard and tastings from their selection of wines.

Forks of Cheat Winery in Morgantown, W.Va.

West Virginia State Tourism Commissioner Chelsea Ruby said in an interview with Hoppy Kercheval on Talkline that,”Tourism in West Virginia is growing and it’s a really exciting time.”

Growth in tourism is attributed to the significant push towards outdoor recreation tourism as the attempt to move away from the coal industry continues. W.Va. Tourism has rebranded the state as “#AlmostHeaven” in order to capitalize on not only the song written by John Denver, but also the scenic views that come from the cascading mountains and rivers. 

In response to what W.Va. is trying to sell, Ruby said, “What we are selling is the mountains. It’s that view that you got no matter where you are in West Virginia, nestled in those mountains you are going to find charming small towns, unbelievable outdoor recreation, and the friendliest folks anywhere.”

People come to experience white water rafting, fishing, hiking and rock climbing to name a few of the activities.

Will the Decline of the Coal Industry and Natural Gas Tank WV’s Economy?

At the beginning of 2019, West Virginia was ranked number one in the country for biggest gross domestic product rate (GDP) as it jumped 5.2% from 2018. What is causing this big jump for West Virginia when our bordering state Pennsylvania jumped only 2.9 percent? 

West Virginia is known for coal mines. Seriously, WVU football puts on a miner’s hat when they get a turn over. Everyone who lives here knows that coal brings jobs to West Virginia.

Not only has coal played a role in West Virginia’s economy, but so has natural gas. There have been major pipelines being constructed through the state even though it’s just a temporary thing. 

After the pipelines are done being constructed, will West Virginia see a downfall in state GDP growth? 

Even though the state has experienced growth, when you look deeper into it, only certain counties have contributed. The increasing number of 12,000 jobs only truly played a part in Marshal, Monongahela, Harrison, Lewis, Berkley, Jackson, Cabell and Raleigh county. 

These increases in jobs are mostly in the coal and natural gas industries, with the biggest factor being in the pipeline. Though the pipeline construction won’t be around forever. 

West Virginia Adjutant General James Hoyer spoke three weeks ago to WV state leaders in regard to the West Virginia economy. 

“It all boils down to entrepreneurship. It boils down to creating an environment conducive to small-business startup and growth. Industrial diversification is a key, key key priority for our state. There should never be a discussion without the question, what can we do to create an environment for small business startup and growth?”

All in all, the pipeline and coal going away would not tank West Virginia’s growing economy because other factors play a role, but it is certainly a concern for people currently in those fields.