New Prison Possible For Preston County Complex

The U.S. Bureau of Prisons is considering a major expansion at its sprawling complex in Preston County, W.Va. The bureau is exploring the construction of a medium-security facility that would hold more than 1,100 inmates and include a central utility plant, radio tower, warehouses and a staff training center. The new facility would create 250 new jobs.

The prison system already operates a high-security men’s prison, a minimum-security men’s camp and a women’s prison at the site. About 450 employees work at the existing facilities, which hold 2,355 inmates. West Virginia has five federal prisons and is building a sixth, a medium-security complex in McDowell County.

Work Nearing Completion on WVHTC Foundation’s New Towers

Work is nearing completion of the West Virginia High Technology Consortium Foundation’s north and south towers that stand alongside I-79 in south Fairmont. The two buildings, which will cost about $25 million, are the newest addition to the foundation's sprawling I-79 Technology Park. Construction started on the project about a year and a half ago, and the buildings will house primarily high-technology companies. The facilities feature balconies, roof-top gardens, and a 6,000-square-foot conference facility.

The south building will be occupied first, and Northrop Grumman Corp. will be the initial tenant to move into the facility on March 1. Work has also started on the space for Electronic Warfare Associates Inc. (EWA) in the south tower, and that office should be completed and ready for move-in at the end of March. ManTech International Corp. is expected to move into the north building in May or June.

New Corporate Headquarters Building Set For Parkersburg

Mountain State Blue Cross Blue Shield has signed a contract to build a four-story corporate headquarters building in downtown Parkersburg. The $19.3 million building will be located at Seventh and Market Streets. Construction is expected to begin in early January and the company plans to move into the new building by March 2009.

The new building will consolidate the company’s 675 Parkersburg-based employees into one building, enhancing operating efficiencies. The total cost of the project, including furniture, equipment and fixtures is expected to be about $27 million.