CHAMBER NEWS

With new branding comes a new website, with new features and updates! New membership login information coming soon to all members!

Job Fair Employer Registration Deadline Has Been

Extended Through Wednesday, July 19! 📅

UPCOMING CHAMBER EVENTS

Inaugural State of the Valley:

August 23, 2023 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM 🗣️

MEMBER NEWS

Congratulations to Derek Scarboro, Director of

Marshall Advanced Manufacturing Center 🎉

Marshall University officials announced the Marshall Advanced Manufacturing Center–formerly the Robert C. Byrd Institute–has a new leader. Derek Scarbro, who has served as interim director since last year and previously deputy director and director of business development, assumed the position earlier this month.

Design Thinking Workshop with Ben Eng 💡

Coalfield Development, Marshall Advanced Manufacturing Center, and the Huntington Regional Chamber of Commerce invite you to attend the Employer Network Social on July 18. Ben Eng, an Associate Professor of Marketing and Entrepreneurship at Marshall University’s Lewis College of Business and Brad D. Smith Schools of Business, will be conducting a workshop on Design Thinking. Design thinking is a creative problem-solving process that puts the user at the center of the solution. It involves understanding the user’s needs, challenges, and context, and then generating, testing, and implementing ideas that meet those needs. After the workshop, members of Marshall Advanced Manufacturing Center will give tours of the facility and show what innovative things are happening in Huntington. 

Dr. Torie Jackson, President of West Virginia University at Parkersburg (WVUP), and Dr. Josh Baker, President of Mountwest Community and Technical College are pleased to announce the signing of an articulation agreement between the two institutions.  

The articulation agreement with WVU Parkersburg is a game-changer for Mountwest students. Under this agreement, students who complete an associate’s degree program at Mountwest will have a seamless pathway to transfer to WVUP to pursue a bachelor’s degree. 

Superheroes were spotted at Hoops Family Children’s Hospital when employees from High Access/Central Window Cleaning, a Cleveland-based company, wore their favorite superhero suits and cleaned windows while pediatric patients watched from inside. 

Special guests Batman, Black Panther, Iron Man, Shuri, Spider-Man, Thor and Superman paid a special visit inside the hospital, while some of the superheroes rappelled down the hospital’s exterior walls to wave to patients from outside of their window. Following the window washing, the superheroes visited the hospital’s outdoor playground for arts and crafts with patients, staff and their families.

Save the Date for Cabell County Public Library's

2023 Eat, Drink, and Be Scary Gala 🎃

The 69th Annual Antiques Show & Sale will feature professional dealers from multiple states who offer a wide range of quality antiques, collectibles, vintage, and modern at a wide range of prices. This event appeals to seasoned collectors, designers, novices, and curious shoppers. There is something for all tastes and every budget!

August 18: 6pm-9pm

August 19: 10am-5pm

August 20: 11am-4pm 

Admission: $6.00 (includes all 3 days)

The Pilot Club is part of Pilot International which is a charitable and educational organization whose purpose is to promote programs and activities that support youth development & leadership, encourage brain safety and fitness, and care for families in times of need. The Antiques Show and Sale is the only fundraiser of the Club. All the proceeds are distributed to local charities.

Amanda Jones, director of the graduate medical education (GME) at the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, was recently selected for the Association of American Medical Colleges GME Leadership Development Certificate Program. 

Sodexo Job Fair - July 20 🤝

Valley Health Awards $15,000 in College Scholarships 💲

Valley Health Systems, Inc. is pleased to award three $5,000 scholarships, to individuals who are pursuing careers in medicine, health sciences or health administration.  

The winners of the 2023 Valley Health Minority Healthcare scholarship are (left to right): Melanese Benjamin, 2023 graduate of Hurricane High School; Paris Johnson, Marshall University; and Madison Slash, West Virginia University. This is the second year for the scholarship award.

VC Boutique's highly anticipated fashion show is making a grand return. After a hiatus since 2019, this year's event is back with a purpose—to support CONTACT Rape Crisis Center of southwestern West Virginia. Immerse yourself in an evening of style and community impact. VC Boutique’s Runway Show will feature the latest fall fashions, spirits, hors d'oeuvres, and a silent auction at Cellar Door and Le Bistro in downtown Huntington. 

While the glamour and style of the evening are undeniable, what truly sets this event apart is its charitable aspect. Together, we can make a difference in our community. This year, our efforts are dedicated to supporting CONTACT Rape Crisis Center. CONTACT serves the counties of Cabell, Lincoln, Logan, Mason, Mingo, and Wayne, providing critical services such as a 24-hour crisis hotline, victim advocacy, and violence prevention education. 

Last year, CONTACT served 663 survivors of sexual violence, stalking, and human trafficking – including 272 children. In West Virgnia, the average age of a sexual violence victim is 17 years old, and the most frequently reported age is 15. Approximately 1 in 3 women and nearly 1 in 6 men experiencing sexual violence during their lifetime. 

By becoming a sponsor of VC Boutique's autumn fashion show, you'll be part of a remarkable event that seamlessly blends fashion, community impact, and the fight against sexual violence. Together, let's create a night to remember and make a lasting difference in the lives of survivors. 

Event Date: Thursday September 21, 2023 

Time: 6:00-9:00pm 

Location: Cellar Door and Le Bistro in Downtown Huntington 

Please review the attached sponsorship opportunities. We look forward to working with you to ensure a mutually beneficial strategic partnership between your company and VC Boutique!

To request a sponsorship, contact Melinda Perron, Assistant Director of CONTACT: [email protected] or 304-523-3447.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Public Meetings for City of Huntington

Comprehensive Plan 📃

The City of Huntington’s Planning Office will kick off a series of community meetings to receive input on Huntington’s next comprehensive plan.

A comprehensive plan is a document that addresses 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. With input from residents, the plan also is meant to reflect the vision and priorities of residents and the neighborhoods in which they live.

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.

The first community meeting to receive input is set for 6:30 p.m. Thursday, July 13, at Crossroads United Methodist Church, 3146 Saltwell Road. It is intended for residents of Gallaher Village, Forest Hills, Chancellor Hills, Southeast Hills, Stamford Park and Arlington Park.

Additional scheduled community meetings include:

• Westmoreland, 6:30 p.m. Monday, July 17, at the Westmoreland Women’s Club, 2962 Bradley Road. 
• Guyandotte and Altizer, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 25, at VFW Post 9738, 227 Main St. in Guyandotte.
• Fairfield, 7 p.m. Thursday, July 27, at the A.D. Lewis Community Center, 1450 A.D. Lewis Ave.
• Southside/Enslow Park, 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 9, at Enslow Park Presbyterian Church, 1338 Enslow Blvd.
• Highlawn, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 10, at Community of Grace United Methodist Church, 225 28^th St.
• Downtown and Marshall University area, 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 17, at Huntington’s Kitchen, 911 3^rd Ave.
• West Huntington and Harveytown, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 22, location to be announced.

A collaborative team of health professionals from Marshall Health and employees with the City of Huntington have assembled hundreds of hygiene bags and care kits to distribute to individuals who are experiencing homelessness and/or suffering from substance use disorder. 

The first batch of hygiene bags and care kits, which include supplies to treat wounds as well as harm-reduction supplies, were delivered recently to the Huntington Police Department’s Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) for distribution through the team’s outreach efforts. Approximately 800 hygiene bags and care kits have been assembled thus far. 

UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS

The Monday Morning Memo is Generously Sponsored by

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].

Contact Us | Membership | Resources