Thanks to your support, Project Launchpad passed the House of Delegates Energy, Industry & Labor/Economic Development & Small Business Committee last week.

Tomorrow, the legislation will undergo its next step in the Senate Economic Development Committee and we need your support.

By acting now, we can secure a brighter economic future for our state – for all West Virginians.

With the Charleston Regional Chamber of Commerce’s “Project Launchpad,” we can work now to revive, renew and rebuild West Virginia’s business climate and create abundant job opportunities.

The purpose of this legislation is to attract and encourage economic opportunity, greater capital investment and development of emerging or innovative business technologies in the state.

It is targeted at new businesses and business expansions. West Virginia’s existing businesses can take advantage of the legislation only if they adopt emerging methods of manufacturing, or employ cutting edge technology as a primary component of their commercial activity and create new jobs.

Here are some highlights of “Project Launchpad”:

• Businesses that create new jobs with good wages and benefits would temporarily be allowed to retain 75 percent of state employer withholding taxes attributable to the      employees filling said jobs
• If a business provides employees with student loan payment assistance, it may retain 95 percent of state employer withholding taxes
• State tax benefits include relief from business franchise, corporation net income, personal income, and sales and use taxes

For more information on “Project Launchpad,” check out our Facebook page HERE. This legislation is also supported by Vision Shared.

By acting now, we can secure a brighter economic future for our state – for all West Virginians.

A list of committee members and their contact information is below. We encourage those that support an innovative approach to job creation, talent retention and attraction, to contact committee members and let them know you support “Project Launchpad.”

Bob Williams (Committee Chair)
Capitol Phone: (304) 357-7995
E-mail: bob.williams@wvsenate.gov

Sam Cann (Vice-Chair)
Capitol Phone: (304) 357-7904
E-mail: sam.cann@wvsenate.com

Robert Beach
Capitol Phone: (304) 357-7919
Email: bob.beach@wvsenate.gov

Donald Cookman
Capitol Phone: (304) 357-7908
E-mail: Donald.cookman@wvsenate.gov

Art Kirkendoll
Capitol Phone: (304) 357-7857
E-mail: art.kirkendoll@wvsenate.gov

Brooks McCabe
Capitol Phone: (304) 357-7990
E-mail: brooks.mccabe@wvsenate.gov

Roman Prezioso
Capitol Phone: (304) 357-7961
E-mail: roman.prezioso@wvsenate.gov

Herb Snyder
Capitol Phone: (304) 357-7957
E-mail: herb.snyder@wvsenate.com

Ron Stollings
Capitol Phone: (304) 357-7939
E-mail: ron.stollings@wvsenate.gov

Erik Wells
Business Phone: (304) 357-7841
E-mail: erik.wells@wvsenate.gov

Clark Barnes
Capitol Phone: (304) 357-7973
E-mail: clark.barnes@wvsenate.gov

Craig Blair
Capitol Phone: (304) 357-7867
Email: craig@craigblair.com

David Sypolt
Capitol Phone: (304) 357-7914
E-mail: davesypolt@wvsenate.gov

Chris Walters
Capitol Phone: (304) 357-7866
E-mail: chris.walters@wvsenate.gov