CHAMBER NEWS

"Let's celebrate our victories, let's learn from our mistakes, let's collaborate wherever possible, and let's look forward to the countless achievements that lie ahead." - Toney Stroud

The Charleston Regional Chamber of Commerce, Huntington Regional Chamber of Commerce, and Putnam County Chamber of Commerce had an amazing inaugural State of the Valley Presented by Meeks Rentals on Wednesday, August 23 at Valley Park in Hurricane. Four leaders from three counties came together to discuss achievements in their communities, collaboration with one another, and the future of the Valley region.

Thank you to Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin, City of Charleston, WV; Commissioner Andy Skidmore, Putnam County Commission; Commissioner Kelli Sobonya, Cabell County Commission; and Mayor Steve Williams, City of Huntington, WV for being our presenters. Special thanks to Toney Stroud, Marshall University's General Counsel and Vice President for Strategic Initiatives and Corporate Relations, for being our moderator for the event!

Special thanks to our presenting sponsor Meeks Rentals; our VIP sponsors, Advantage Valley, Charleston Area Medical Center, Dinsmore, Encova Insurance, Putnam County Bank, QLabs, Inc., West Virginia American Water; and our table sponsors, City National Bank, Suttle & Stalnaker PLLC, West Virginia Public Broadcasting, West Virginia Regional Technology Park, and West Virginia State University.

Huntington Young Professionals (HYP) hosted their August Luncheon on Thursday, August 24 with Marshall University President Brad Smith. President Smith discussed his five principals of leadership: Potential, Purpose, People, Playbook, and Pay it Forward.

Interested in becoming a HYP member and receiving updates and events? Sign up here: tinyurl.com/huntingtonyoungprofessionals

The Women's Impact Network (WIN) had a wonderful and informative wellness event at The Shala Wednesday evening! Boujee Boards by Roz demonstrated her amazing edible art skills, and The Shala co-owners Eva Wolski-Ball and Gail Moore talked health optimization and wellness goals to work with your body to live a longer, happier life.  

Interested in becoming a WIN member? Sign up below to receive news and upcoming events!

UPCOMING CHAMBER EVENTS

Uncover the power of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in shaping effective business strategies and fostering inclusive cultures at our Chamber's upcoming Lunch & Learn! Dr. Alan Letton, Director of the Center for Economic & Community Development in Black Appalachia and Isolated Communities, will take you through how integrating DEI can drive innovation, collaboration, and growth - all vital in today's work landscape.

When: Tuesday, September 12, from 12- 1PM

Where: Cabell Huntington Health Department's 2nd floor conference room, located at 703 7th Ave, Huntington, WV 25701.

Registration is required. This event is free for Chamber members and $25 for non-members. Lunch will be provided. 

Special thanks to our Lunch and Learn series sponsor, Ohio Valley Bank!

MEMBER NEWS

Dr. Josh Brunty, a Marshall University faculty member in Cyber Forensics & Security, has been named head coach of the US Cyber Team, a team of talented cybersecurity athletes, coaches, and industry leaders put together by the US Cyber Games to represent the United States in global cybersecurity competitions.

As head coach for the 2024 competition season, Brunty will draft the most talented cybersecurity experts in the country and serve as a mentor on their journey. This team will represent the United States in international competitions such as the International Cybersecurity Championships (ICC) and European Cybersecurity Championships (ECSC).

Join the Developmental Therapy Center and Dutch Miller Kia for spooky swings and haunted things! Grab your clubs and head to Esquire Golf Course on Friday, October the 13 for a scary good time. 

Entry includes a delicious lunch, snacks, refreshing adult beverages, event t-shirt, amazing door prizes, green fees, golf cart, and the chance to win incredible team and individual prizes!

United Way of the River Cities is excited to be part of Sip Downtown Brasserie's Dine and Donate series! 

Sip is generously donating 10% of their sales on Wednesday, Sept. 6 from 5-10 p.m. to us. So all you have to do to help is come with a friend and have a lovely dinner or drink! 

Plus, Michelle and Tara from UWRC will be helping serve, so you don't want to miss this one!



United Way of the River Cities is a nonprofit organization that connects the community with resources to reduce poverty and improve lives. UWRC envisions a community where everyone has the tools and opportunity to thrive. UWRC partners with the local community to fight for the health, education, financial stability and basic needs of every person in Cabell, Wayne, Lincoln and Mason counties in West Virginia and Gallia and Lawrence counties in Ohio.

The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) invites you to a special evening reception marking the impact of Helen Keller's life as AFB prepares for the release of its new documentary a century after Keller first began working for AFB.

This special evening event for AFB family and friends in the Huntington region will provide a preview screening of Possibilities, a moving documentary understanding the present day impact of Helen Keller's legacy. Light hors d'oeuvres and drinks will be served prior to the screening. A panel will follow the 90 minute film. 

Event Details

• September 7, 2023, from 6pm to 9pm
• Huntington Museum of Art, 2033 McCoy RD, Huntington, WV 25701

Please note: This event is free — donations are welcome to support AFB's mission and upcoming release of the documentary, which is slated for release in early 2024.

Come one, Come all! Step right up to the most fun around at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Huntington’s Block Party!

The 36th anniversary celebration will take place at RMHC-H on September 9 from 1:00-4:00pm.

The free community event will feature a street naming ceremony, games, prizes, inflatables & more!

Mountain Health Network has named Joshua Sova, RN, director of hospitalist service and Gary Cremeans, MD, director of urgent care.

In his new role, Sova will direct the hospitalist programs at both Cabell Huntington Hospital (CHH) and St. Mary’s Medical Center (SMMC). He previously served as the manager of hospitalist service at CHH for 18 years.

Cremeans, an associate professor at the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, will direct operations at the CHH Family Urgent Care Center and St. Mary’s Urgent Care. He will also continue to see patients at the CHH Family Medical Center at Merritts Creek. Dr. Cremeans has practiced at the CHH Family Medical Centers since 2002, beginning in Kenova, and moving to Merritt’s Creek in 2021. He has seen patients at the CHH Family Urgent Care Center since 2017.

Valley Health Receives $100K Highmark Grant

to Address Mental Health Awareness,

Prevention, and Access 🏥

Valley Health Systems, Inc. is thrilled to announce the award of a $100,000 grant from the Highmark West Virginia Charitable Fund for Health.   

Valley Health was selected from among dozens of compelling grant proposals, and will use the funds to support its mental health programming for children and youth in the region. Valley Health plans to expand access to tele mental health services, hold community outreach events, and train community members to reduce stigma regarding mental health by providing education on risk factors, protective factors and available resources.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Fit Fest 2023 is set for Sept. 9 at Ritter Park! This year's event will feature a 5K run and walk, bike rides for all ages, a bike rodeo and childrens' activities. 

The City of Huntington’s Planning Office will host a drop-in style open house next week to gather more input on Huntington’s next 10-year comprehensive plan. The open house will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 31, at the Huntington Area Convention and Visitors Bureau’s Welcome Center at Heritage Station, 210 11th St. 

Planning Office staff conducted an online survey earlier this year and recently completed a series of eight neighborhood meetings across Huntington to gain input needed to develop Huntington’s next comprehensive plan. The goal of the open house is to begin establishing a community vision and priorities for the comprehensive plan.

The comprehensive plan will address the City of Huntington's land-use policy and development for the next 10 years. Specifically, the plan will address current development trends, determine a vision for how the community would like to see the city develop and provide a plan to achieve this vision. As the blueprint for development in Huntington, the comprehensive plan will impact neighborhoods, businesses, traffic and the environment.

West Virginia requires cities and counties to update their comprehensive plans every 10 years. This provides an opportunity to revise population and employment growth forecasts with the most up-to-date data, review existing policies to ensure they make sense for the communities they serve and write new policies that reflect priorities.

Huntington’s last comprehensive plan, Plan2025, was completed in 2013. This update will plan for the next 10 years of population and employment changes through the year 2034.

UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS

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Thank You to Our Investor Member

Please note that the deadline for submissions for "In the News" in the Monday Morning Memo is at 

4 p.m. each Wednesday for inclusion the following week. Submitted items will only appear one time in the memo unless discussed and agreed upon with Chamber staff.

Email all submissions to Rebecca Kasey, Director of Marketing, at [email protected].

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