FISCAL YEAR 2007 WORK PROGRAM: Work objectives are categorized as either a new or short-term "Initiative Objective" or as more routine, longer-term "Ongoing Objective." Guiding principles for work objectives are that they be measurable, important, and realistic. The Work Objectives for FY 2007 follow. Where applicable, a brief status comment (as of March, 2007) appears in italics following the objective.

INITIATIVE OBJECTIVES (Short Term - 1 to 2 years):

Add to and improve the local inventory of commercial and industrial sites and buildings by undertaking the following projects:

A.  Coordinate and help finance the design and engineering for the Morgantown Airport Business Park Access Road. Apply for a $400,000 Industrial Access Road Grant to help finance the design, engineering, and construction of the estimated $4 million access road. The MCDA will also provide a portion of the financing to upgrade water and fire service to the Airport Community in order to permit more intensive commercial development in that area.  

(The MCDA executed a Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Morgantown to assist the City in bringing an access road to the proposed 50-acre Airport Business Park. The Industrial Access Road grant application for the access road was submitted to the WVDOH in June 2006. In January 2007 the WVDOH declined making the grant, but left open the possibility of awarding the grant in the future once some of the other funding sources for access road project are committed and available. A Water and Fire service upgrade project to serve the Airport community, which is being funded partially by the MCDA, was completed in late 2006)

B. Complete the first phase of the access road for the WVU Research Park. Continue to assist WVU, as necessary and as requested, to facilitate the development and marketing of a new WVU Research Park.

(The MCDA has secured $658,000 in WVDOH Industrial Access Road funding to date to help finance the construction of the access road for the Research Park. Construction should be completed in 2007. The MCDA facilitated a second land transfer to assist WVU secure the property needed for the Research Park)

C.      Special Opportunities:

                (The MCDA has closed on the sale of a parcel in the Chaplin Hill Business Park to Preferred Surfaces LLC re. the construction of a new manufacturing facility. Construction has begun and should be completed in early 2007.)

                (The MCDA is negotiating the sale of Parcel # 6 in the Chaplin Hill Business Park with a professional services company.)

                (In March 2007 the MCDA applied for a $350,000 Industrial Access Road Grant to construct Phase 3 of the road extensions at the Chaplin Hill Business Park to serve the two businesses mentioned above.)

                (The MCDA assisted Protea Biosciences secure a $685,000 loan from the WV Infrastructure and Jobs Development Council to expand its local operations, which are currently located in the Morgantown Enterprise Center)

                (The MCDA has executed a long-term lease agreement with WV DNR, which will construct a public boat launch facility on a 5-acre waterfront parcel, not suitable for industrial development, at the Fort Martin Industrial Park. Construction will take place in 2007.)

D. Coordinate the review and recommendation process between Longview LLC, local officials, and other individuals and organizations as necessary; pertaining to the proposed location of a 600 MW electric power generation plant in Monongalia County.

(In process. All necessary permit and regulatory approvals for this project have been secured. The company closed on its financing and its property in early 2007, and site prep work has begun.)

ONGOING OBJECTIVES:

• " Facilitate the implementation of the Monongalia County Transportation Plan, and other transportation related activities directed at addressing the growing traffic congestion problem in the Morgantown Urbanized Area.
  
  (The new Monongalia County Transportation Plan was completed in late 2006. MAP and the MCDA intend to work with the MPO to determine how they can best facilitate plan implementation.)

• Support the efforts of the Monongalia County Planning Commission and the Monongalia County Commission to institute land use planning and controls in the urbanizing area of Monongalia County. Work to insure that these planning efforts provide for balanced land uses and promote a strong and diversified economy.
  
  
• Continue to operate the 14,000 S.F. Morgantown Enterprise Center (MEC), and lease available space in the building, at below market rates, to new small businesses with good job growth potential. 
  
  (The MEC is currently100% leased to four tenants including Community Health Initiatives, Protea Bioscience, AFLAC Regional Training and Recruitment Office, and The Iridium Group. The offices of MAP/MCDA are also located in the MEC.)
  
  
• Make at least four micro loans this year to businesses via the MAP/MCDA Micro loan Program.
  
  
• Maintain and update community profiles, site and building inventories, employer lists, and marketing materials for Monongalia County.
  
  
• Market available business development services to existing local employers through periodic direct mailings, local media ads, and seminars.  Make personal business retention visits to at least 10 local employers in Monongalia County.
  
  (Letters were mailed to over 70 larger local employers in October, and to date 9 business retention visits have been made.)
  
  
• " Market the area to prospective businesses via a combination of print ads, through local (www.morgantown.org) and state (www.wvdo.org) Web Sites on the Internet, and through meetings with local businesses and commercial/industrial developers. Expand the geographic scope of advertising available commercial and industrial buildings and sites to include statewide and Pittsburgh area markets. Attempt to locate a sign or billboard visible to Exit 155 to market the Chaplin Hill Business Park. Explore opportunities for marketing partnerships. Two particular target audiences for the marketing effort include corporate site selection consultants and alumni and friends of WVU with corporate connections. Make initial response to inquiries from business prospects within 24 hours.
  
  
• Inform the public about the activities of MAP and the MCDA via press releases, speeches, interviews, and the MAP web site.
  
  
• Update the economic development strategic plan for MAP and the MCDA. (Accomplished)
  
  
• Secure recertification of Certified Development Community (CDC) status for Monongalia County through August 2009  (Accomplished)
  
  
• Secure the WV Local Economic Development Grant (LEDG) for fiscal year 2007. (Accomplished)
  
  
• Cooperate and coordinate with other local, regional, and statewide economic development efforts including, but not limited to, West Virginia University, The Greater Morgantown Convention and Visitors Bureau, Main Street Morgantown, Chambers of Commerce, the Metropolitan Planning Organization, Small Business Development Center, Region VI Planning and Development Council, Monongalia County Planning Commission, Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), I-79 Development Council, Region VI Work Force Investment Board, and the WV Development Office.