News & Policy

News & Policy

The WV Business & Industry Council works to keep its membership up to date on issues of importance to the employer community. Below find recent organizational news releases, news clippings, action alerts and other information relevant to our membership.

WV Business & Industry Council Elects Mike Clowser Chairman

CHARLESTON, W.Va. ─ The West Virginia Business & Industry Council (BIC) announced today that Mike Clowser has been elected Chairman of the organization.  He succeeds Chris Hamilton, Senior Vice President of the West Virginia Coal Association, who has served in the position since 2012.

“I’m honored to be chosen by my business trade association and government relations peers to serve as Chairman of the West Virginia Business & Industry Council,” said Clowser.  “This organization has a long and successful history of helping improve our state’s business climate. I look forward to working with our members and policy leaders to build on that success as we work to grow West Virginia’s economy.”

BIC Endorses Governor Justice for Second Term

CHARLESTON, W.Va.  The West Virginia Business & Industry Council (BIC) announced today its endorsement of Jim Justice for a second term as governor of the State of West Virginia.

“Our members, the employers and workers throughout the state, have resoundingly endorsed Governor Justice for a second term,” said Chris Hamilton, Chairman of the West Virginia Business & Industry Council.  “Governor Justice is creating family-sustaining jobs, fixing our roads, improving our education system, and addressing our substance abuse problem. He is moving West Virginia forward, even as we battle an unprecedented health crisis.  Jim Justice is the leader we need in these tough times.”

BIC Endorses 109 Legislative Candidates in 2020 General Election

CHARLESTON, W.Va.  The West Virginia Business & Industry Council (BIC) has endorsed 109 candidates for statewide and local legislative races in the 2020 General Election.

“This bipartisan list of candidates includes longtime legislators and also some who are new to public service, but all are united by a shared goal of improving West Virginia’s business climate and growing our job base,” said BIC Chairman Chris Hamilton. “We encourage West Virginia’s business community to support the candidates on this list.”

BIC Endorses 89 Legislative Candidates in 2020 Primary Election

CHARLESTON, W.Va.  The West Virginia Business & Industry Council (BIC) has endorsed 89 candidates for statewide and local legislative races in the 2020 Primary Election.

“This bipartisan list of candidates includes longtime legislators and also some who are new to public service, but all are united by a shared goal of improving West Virginia’s business climate and growing our job base,” said BIC Chairman Chris Hamilton. “We encourage West Virginia’s business community to support the candidates on this list.”

BIC Urges Justice to Sign Education Reform Bill

CHARLESTON, WV – West Virginia’s public education system will get a major overhaul following passage of comprehensive reform legislation, and the state’s business community could not be more pleased.

“The legislation that passed Monday night is an incredibly positive step forward for our struggling public education system. Our legislative leadership should be given high praise for achieving such a positive compromise,” BIC Chairman Chris Hamilton said. “House Bill 206 provides important pay raises and other financial incentives for our teachers – who will have received more than 10% in pay raises in just two years. The bill also gives local boards of educations a lot more control over their schools, and it opens the door to exciting school choice options like public charter schools.”

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