From the Director’s Desk for May 16, 2025

This week, I had the privilege of meeting with the Friendly Lions Club, a powerful force for good in Tyler County and beyond. Though small in number, their impact is immeasurable. With 31 members—including two international members in Australia—and a branch club in Vienna, WV, the Friendly Lions are living proof that dedication and compassion know no boundaries.

Their commitment to service is inspiring. Just this past year:

• Over 100 children participated in their Easter Build-a-Basket event.
• They supported the Tyler County Family Support Center’s Baby Shower, offering resources for expectant and new mothers.
• In partnership with the Tyler County Leo Lions Club, they conducted vision screenings across the region—including 100 children at the Back to School Fair, 20 students at Indian Creek Christian School, and children at Paden City Head Start, the Boys and Girls Club, and more.

The club also led impactful fundraising efforts, raising more than $6,000 during the 2024 Tyler County Fair through their community bingo events. Donations flowed just as generously—supporting local causes like the Town of Friendly with $2,100 in upgrades, and contributing to programs such as Camp Kno-Koma, Pilot Dogs, Leader Dogs, WVU Children’s Hospital, and three scholarships for Tyler Consolidated High School seniors. They've even helped 20 residents receive eye exams and glasses.

What resonated most with me is how this club combines tradition with forward-thinking action—uplifting children, seniors, families, and neighbors through service, sight, and scholarship.

The Lions Club is well known for its global mission, but what I witnessed in Friendly is a beautiful example of that mission in action at the local level. This group may be small but it's mighty!

We talked about how organizations like the Chamber and the Lions Club can support one another, and I left feeling both inspired and encouraged. Their warmth, hospitality, and action-oriented approach embody the very spirit of Friendly.

Thank you to the Friendly Lions Club for your warm welcome and tireless dedication. You remind us all that service isn’t just a motto—it’s a mission!

Membership Dues Changes for 2025

The Wetzel-Tyler Chamber of Commerce is introducing updates to our membership fee structure to better align with the size and nature of our member organizations and businesses. These changes are designed to make membership more accessible for small businesses and nonprofits while ensuring fairness.

Membership Fee Structure for 2025

For-profit businesses:

• 0–5 employees: $100
• 6–10 employees: $150
• 11–25 employees: $300
• 26–50 employees: $500
• 51–100 employees: $750
• 101+ employees: $1,500

Nonprofit organizations:

• 0 employees: $50
• 1–50 employees: $100
• 51+ employees: $250

Other categories:

• Banks/Credit Unions: $1,000 (no change)
• Students: $25 (no change)
• Individuals: $50 (no change)

Comparison to Current Structure

The current structure offers fewer tiers, leading to broader categories. For instance:

• For-profit businesses with 0–10 employees are currently charged $125. Under the new structure, the cost is reduced to $100 for 0–5 employees and $150 for 6–10 employees, providing a more precise reflection of company size.

• Nonprofit organizations currently pay $100 across the board. The new structure introduces a lower tier for nonprofits with no employees ($50) and adjusts rates for larger organizations.

Why the Change?

This update ensures that membership fees are equitable and reflect the diversity of our members. Smaller organizations and nonprofits will benefit from more affordable rates, while larger businesses will contribute at a level aligned with their capacity.

This structure will strengthen our Chamber by encouraging participation from all community segments.

Please note that you can easily renew your membership through the link below:



These trainings are free to municipal employee and well worth the time commitment in pursuing federal grants!

The Northern Panhandle Workforce Development Board, Inc. and the Region VI Workforce Development Board (Morgantown area) from WV has joined forces with local Workforce Development Boards (LWDBs) in the States of PA and Ohio to form the "Tri-State Apprenticeship Consortium." The "Consortium" has secured Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) funds for this Project. 

The ultimate goal of the "Tri-State Apprenticeship Consortium" is to strengthen and expand registered apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs in OH, PA, and WV. We plan on working together to identify ways to make apprenticeships more appealing to employers and accessible to participants, ways for employers that draw employees from all three states to utilize apprenticeship programs drawing across state lines, and potential changes in apprenticeship policy that could streamline the process for all parties. The "Consortium" will determine methods to stimulate more employer involvement and interest in a way that will benefit all parties involved.

So, we want to hear from you to determine if area employers/organizations feel there is a need for strengthened/expanded registered and pre-apprenticeship programs in the Northern Panhandle of WV. Below is a link to a digital survey that we are respectfully requesting employers/organizations in PA, Ohio and West Virginia to take. This survey is set up to identify the primary county of an Employer/Organization. 

https://forms.gle/xv2DHziEigKt6LDz8

This survey will be accessible through May 30, 2025. 

The "Tri-State Apprenticeship Consortium" appreciates your input. We will keep you posted on the results as we move forward.

If you have any questions or need additional information, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Thank you.

NPWDB, Inc. Staff

npwibinc@gmail.com

"We want all West Virginians to be able to access resources that can ensure their success in seeking and obtaining meaningful career employment. Navigate the chaos and complexity of accessing training, education, and employment-related support services where there is No Wrong Door."

What is West Virginia Invests?

The WV Invests Grant is a state-funded grant program that pays toward the full cost of basic tuition, mandatory fees* and academic program fees** for select certificate and associate degree programs at a West Virginia public two- or four-year institution. Priority is given to programs in high-demand fields, such as information technology or healthcare, as determined by the West Virginia Department of Commerce.

This is a last-dollar-in program, meaning it will pay for any amount up to the total cost of tuition, mandatory fees, and approved academic program fees not already covered by other state or federal grants or scholarships and institutional tuition waivers.



*The maximum award amount is limited to the total cost of tuition and approved fees minus other grant or scholarship aid. Certain programs charge additional fees not approved for this program. These fees, along with the cost of textbooks and other course materials, must be paid by the student if other forms of financial aid are not available to offset these costs.

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MATCH YOUR CEMETERY RECORDS FOR FUTURE BURIALS.

COPIES ARE AVAILABLE AT OUR OFFICE.

CALL FOR APPOINTMENT: 304-455-4898 OR 304-405-4041

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