Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.

Today is Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.

…and now for the rest of the stories…on today's daily304.com!

#1 – From WV FILM OFFICE – Find resources for your next film project in Almost Heaven

Whether you're looking for the perfect location for your next film project, or a crew member ready to undertake your next project, the West Virginia Film Office is here for you.

Film Office staff are happy to help you secure your perfect location, find skilled workforce, and navigate film permitting.

The office is ready to help with an experienced crew, an established statewide network of governmental agencies, nation-leading fiscal incentives, local business leaders and community representatives that are unmatched in hospitality. We look forward to working with you soon in – Yes, West Virginia!

Learn more:
https://westvirginia.gov/wvfilm/

#2 – From WV EDA – WVEDA helps a mushroom farm expand its business

Hernshaw Farms has transformed the decommissioned Memorial Tunnel on the West Virginia Turnpike into an innovative agricultural facility for growing gourmet mushrooms. The tunnel's dark environment, controlled humidity, and stable temperatures provide optimal conditions for mushroom cultivation. Leveraging this unique setup, founder George Patterson plans to expand production of dried Lion's Mane, capitalizing on its rising demand and health benefits.

To scale operations and meet surging market demand, Hernshaw Farms partnered with the West Virginia Economic Development Authority (WVEDA) to secure financing for critical new machinery. The equipment upgrade has dramatically increased the farm's output, enabling it to take on larger commercial contracts.

Read more:
https://eda.wv.gov/the-wveda-helps-hernshaw-farms-expand-its-operations/

#3 – From WV DRS – WV DRS shares success stories

The West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) helps high school students and adults with disabilities set work goals and develop career plans. The agency assists individuals to overcome barriers so they can obtain or maintain employment.

DRS's specially trained rehabilitation professionals can help you evaluate your skills and interests so you can succeed in the workplace. With backgrounds in emergency medical services, education, tourism and more, DRS clients share their stories of work-related successes in West Virginia.

Learn more:
https://wvdrs.org/updates-and-information/success-stories/

Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304.

The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty, and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo.

That's all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.

Today is Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026.

…and now for the rest of the stories…on today's daily304.com!

#1 – From WSAZ-TV – Ascend WV celebrates new residents

Ascend West Virginia has received a $500,000 grant from The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation to support efforts in attracting new residents to the Charleston area. Having already relocated over 100 people to the Kanawha Valley in its first year, the program aims to use the funding to expand its reach and encourage more individuals and families to make the region their home.

The initiative is part of a broader strategy to combat population decline by embracing calculated risks and framing regional challenges as growth opportunities. Since launching statewide in 2021, Ascend West Virginia has successfully brought more than 1,500 new residents into the state over the past five years.

Read more:
https://www.wsaz.com/2026/09/17/ascend-west-virginia-celebrates-new-residents/

#2 – From WV TECH PARK – 15 years of discovery, development, and driving what's next

The West Virginia Regional Technology Park in South Charleston recently celebrated its 15th anniversary, marking a decade and a half of economic and technological growth since its establishment in 2011. Community leaders, elected officials, and partners gathered to honor the park's transformation into a thriving innovation hub that now supports 32 companies and over 1,000 employees across research, technology, education, and manufacturing sectors.

Reflecting on this milestone, CEO Matt Ballard highlighted the park's ongoing mission to foster collaboration and advance the state's economy. Looking ahead, leadership expressed gratitude for the community's support and reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the researchers, entrepreneurs, and businesses shaping West Virginia's economic future.

Read more:
https://www.wvtechpark.com/post/15-years-of-discovery-development-and-driving-what-s-next

#3 – From WV STATE PARKS – 10 stunning state park overlooks in West Virginia

As the leaves begin their transformation into the brilliant warm colors of fall, there's no better place to take in the scenery than from one of West Virginia's stunning overlooks.

West Virginia State Parks offer a diverse array of scenic viewpoints and outdoor destinations ideal for fall travel. Across the state, visitors can explore diverse landscapes, from elevated mountain perches like Hawks Nest and the 360-degree Ann Bailey Lookout Tower at Watoga, to the clear waters of Summersville Lake and the dramatic river gorges at Coopers Rock and Pipestem Resort.

Accommodating all activity levels, the parks feature everything from short, accessible walks like Blackwater Falls' Lindy Point trail to challenging hikes and overnight stays, such as the Thorny Mountain Fire Lookout Tower in Seneca State Forest.

Learn more:
https://wvstateparks.com/10-stunning-state-park-overlooks-in-west-virginia/

Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304.

The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty, and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo.

That's all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.

After fire destroyed West Virginia's capitol in 1921, leaders decided to create a new magnificent building to replace it and who better to design it than America's first star architect, Cass Gilbert. Around the nation, Gilbert's structures graced town squares, capital cities and vaunted skylines. Gilbert's Woolworth Building in New York set the standard for the American skyscraper. So, when he came to Charleston, he guided everyone to a large plot of land in the city's east end, where he could build his latest masterpiece, a lasting monument to his reputation and a testimony to the people of the Mountain State.

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.

Today is Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026.

…and now for the rest of the stories…on today's daily304.com!

#1 – From FIRST ASCENT – Build your career. Keep West Virginia home.

Graduate. Find a job. Check out First Ascent. The two-year community and career development program helps recent West Virginia University and Marshall University graduates build meaningful careers and establish roots in the Mountain State.

WVU and Marshall have joined resources and expertise to give participants career support, mentorship, professional development, networking opportunities and a statewide community of peers. And First Ascent isn't limited to one career path.

Participants might work for a West Virginia employer, land a remote position, pursue entrepreneurship or build another kind of flexible career. Free coworking spaces give members somewhere to work and connect, while outdoor experiences and community events help them build a life beyond the job.

The program features communities including the Morgantown and Huntington areas, Greater Elkins, the New River Gorge and Charleston.

Learn more:
https://firstascentwv.com/about

#2 – From WV TOURISM – Fall is calling. Take the country roads.

Windows down. Sweater on. Maybe a little John Denver on the radio. Fall has arrived in Almost Heaven.

West Virginia Tourism has everything you need to turn the season into a road trip, from mountain towns and state parks to scenic drives, hiking trails, waterfalls and places to stay. And there's a good reason to hit the road. West Virginia is the third-most forested state, meaning autumn turns the state's country roads into a pretty spectacular show. Go hiking, biking, rafting or rock climbing. Ride a scenic train. Chase waterfalls. Explore a state park or spend a weekend in one of West Virginia's mountain towns.

Check out the 2026 Fall Foliage Forecast, sign up for weekly foliage updates, and start planning your Almost Heaven road trip today!

Read more:
https://wvtourism.com

#3 – From ASCEND WV – What if you could work from Almost Heaven?

If your job lets you work from anywhere, Ascend West Virginia has a question for you: Why not here? Ascend was created to help remote workers build a new life in West Virginia, pairing professional flexibility with outdoor recreation and community.

The offer includes $12,000, free outdoor recreation experiences and community-building activities for participating remote workers who relocate to one of Ascend's featured West Virginia communities.

The program grew from a $25 million gift from Brad and Alys Smith to West Virginia University that established the Brad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative. Working with the State of West Virginia, that effort helped launch Ascend WV.

Today, featured Ascend communities include the Morgantown area, Greenbrier Valley, Eastern Panhandle, Greater Elkins, New River Gorge and Charleston area.

The pitch goes beyond money.

Work here. Play here. Find your people here.

Read more:
https://ascendwv.com/the-offer/program-overview/

Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304.

The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty, and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo.

That's all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.

Today is Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026.

…and now for the rest of the stories…on today's daily304.com!

#1 – From METRO NEWS – Ascend to Charleston. Then stay.

One year in, Ascend's Charleston-area program is celebrating new neighbors and some serious staying power. More than 100 new families have moved to Charleston through the remote-worker recruitment program since it launched in the Capital City last September. More than 2,200 people have applied to the Charleston program, while Ascend has received about 92,000 applications statewide since launching in 2021.

And once people arrive, they tend to stick around.

Ascend reports a statewide retention rate of 96.2%. Charleston Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin says outdoor recreation helps attract participants, but community helps keep them here. Army veteran Giovanna Kiani is one of them. She moved from Tampa to Charleston in May while continuing to work remotely as a recruiter for a defense contractor. Kiani says what has stood out most is finding a community willing to welcome her with open arms.

Now the program is getting another boost.

Dr. Michelle Foster and The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation announced a $500,000 gift to support the Charleston Area Alliance and Ascend's continued growth in the region.

Read more:
https://wvmetronews.com/2026/09/16/ascend-in-capital-city-marks-one-year-anniversary-receives-500k-donation-for-continued-growth/

#2 – From WV ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT – Building more places to call home

Growing communities need housing. West Virginia has a program designed to help developers build more of it. The BUILD WV Act, passed in 2022, offers incentives for approved residential development projects in designated BUILD WV districts. The goal is to help growing communities attract the housing development they need.

Approved projects can receive a sales and use tax exemption on qualifying construction materials, property and services. There's also a refundable Property Value Adjustment Credit that can be used against personal or corporate income taxes for 10 years after construction is completed, up to $100,000 per project. Municipalities can also choose to provide a business and occupation tax exemption.

To qualify, projects must be located in a certified BUILD WV district and generally have more than $3 million in approved costs or include at least six residential units or houses. Projects also must demonstrate positive economic impact, support opportunities for other businesses and provide additional employment opportunities.

Read more:
https://westvirginia.gov/build-wv-act/

#3 – From WV SBDC – Got a business idea? Start with the fundamentals.

Maybe you've got the idea. Now you need the plan.

The West Virginia Small Business Development Center offers Business Fundamentals workshops around the state for people considering starting a business or entrepreneurs who have been operating for a year or less. The workshops cover some of the questions every new business owner eventually has to answer.

How do you develop a business plan? What do you need to know before applying for a loan?

And what are the essentials you need to understand before turning an idea into a sustainable business? Participants also receive the 124-page Going Into Business in West Virginia guide.

Can't make an in-person workshop? There's an online Business Fundamentals option that entrepreneurs can complete at their own pace.

Read more:
https://wvsbdc.com/training/

Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304.

The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty, and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo.

That's all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.

Today is Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026.

…and now for the rest of the stories…on today's daily304.com!

#1 – From CAR BUZZ – West Virginia's Toyota plant celebrates 30 years

Toyota's powertrain plant in West Virginia is celebrating its 30th anniversary since breaking ground in 1996, marking three decades as a key component of the automaker's U.S. manufacturing presence.

While vehicle assembly plants often draw the most attention, this facility stands out as Toyota's only plant in North America that manufactures both engines and transmissions. Expanding to over two million square feet and employing more than 2,000 workers, the factory operates with incredible speed, producing transmissions and transaxles roughly every 25 seconds and four-cylinder engines every 56 seconds.

The West Virginia facility plays a critical role in Toyota's ongoing business strategy and long-term future. In addition to building four-cylinder engines and eight-speed automatic transmissions, it serves as the automaker's sole North American site for producing hybrid transaxles.

Read more:
https://carbuzz.com/toyota-engine-transmission-plant-hits-30-years-september-2026/

#2 – From WV PRESS – BridgeValley CTC welcomes six Dow apprentices

BridgeValley Community & Technical College has welcomed six Dow apprentices into its Process Technology Associate of Applied Science program, marking a key workforce development partnership in West Virginia. Through this apprenticeship model, participants gain both classroom instruction at BridgeValley and hands-on training at Dow facilities. Dow covers all tuition, books, and fees while paying the apprentices a full-time wage, providing a debt-free pathway to long-term career opportunities in the region.

This initiative is part of a broader effort by BridgeValley to bridge the gap between education and local industry needs. In addition to the Dow partnership, the college participates in West Virginia's STAND (Skilled Trades Apprenticeship Nontraditional Degree) Program, which allows current and former registered apprentices to turn their practical training into degree credits.

Read more:
https://wvpress.org/wvpa-sharing/bridgevalley-welcomes-six-dow-apprentices-into-process-technology/

#3 – From WV NEWS – Pipestem Resort welcomes its inaugural Oktoberfest on Oct. 16-18

Pipestem Resort State Park has announced its inaugural Pipestem Oktoberfest, scheduled for Oct. 16-18. Spanning the entire weekend and the resort grounds, the festival offers visitors a chance to celebrate autumn with entertainment, food, shopping, and scenic fall views.

Weekend festivities include an authentic German buffet, live music, craft market and cruise-in car show. Guests can also ride the aerial tramway to Mountain Creek Lodge to experience the Pipestem Bier Garten tent, with free live entertainment, contests and games, Bavarian food, and draft beer, including West Virginia State Park's private label draft, 36 Parks.

To learn more or reserve lodging, visit wvstateparks.com.

Read more:
https://www.wvnews.com/pipestem-resort-to-present-inaugural-octoberfest-oct-16-18/article_04c46142-102f-4500-b5e6-86397a73e261.html

Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304.

The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty, and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo.

That's all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.

Today is Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026.

…and now for the rest of the stories…on today's daily304.com!

#1 – From FIRST ASCENT – Build your career. Keep West Virginia home.

Graduate. Find a job. Check out First Ascent. The two-year community and career development program helps recent West Virginia University and Marshall University graduates build meaningful careers and establish roots in the Mountain State.

WVU and Marshall have joined resources and expertise to give participants career support, mentorship, professional development, networking opportunities and a statewide community of peers. And First Ascent isn't limited to one career path.

Participants might work for a West Virginia employer, land a remote position, pursue entrepreneurship or build another kind of flexible career. Free coworking spaces give members somewhere to work and connect, while outdoor experiences and community events help them build a life beyond the job.

The program features communities including the Morgantown and Huntington areas, Greater Elkins, the New River Gorge and Charleston.

Learn more:
https://firstascentwv.com/about

#2 – From WV TOURISM – Fall is calling. Take the country roads.

Windows down. Sweater on. Maybe a little John Denver on the radio. Fall has arrived in Almost Heaven.

West Virginia Tourism has everything you need to turn the season into a road trip, from mountain towns and state parks to scenic drives, hiking trails, waterfalls and places to stay. And there's a good reason to hit the road. West Virginia is the third-most forested state, meaning autumn turns the state's country roads into a pretty spectacular show. Go hiking, biking, rafting or rock climbing. Ride a scenic train. Chase waterfalls. Explore a state park or spend a weekend in one of West Virginia's mountain towns.

Check out the 2026 Fall Foliage Forecast, sign up for weekly foliage updates, and start planning your Almost Heaven road trip today!

Read more:
https://wvtourism.com

#3 – From ASCEND WV – What if you could work from Almost Heaven?

If your job lets you work from anywhere, Ascend West Virginia has a question for you: Why not here? Ascend was created to help remote workers build a new life in West Virginia, pairing professional flexibility with outdoor recreation and community.

The offer includes $12,000, free outdoor recreation experiences and community-building activities for participating remote workers who relocate to one of Ascend's featured West Virginia communities.

The program grew from a $25 million gift from Brad and Alys Smith to West Virginia University that established the Brad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative. Working with the State of West Virginia, that effort helped launch Ascend WV.

Today, featured Ascend communities include the Morgantown area, Greenbrier Valley, Eastern Panhandle, Greater Elkins, New River Gorge and Charleston area.

The pitch goes beyond money.

Work here. Play here. Find your people here.

Read more:
https://ascendwv.com/the-offer/program-overview/

Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304.

The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty, and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo.

That's all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.