Thrasher sees potential in West Virginia’s forests

By Brad McElhinny
MetroNews West Virginia
December 17, 2017
Category: Forestry
Region: United States, US East

Woody Thrasher

BUCKHANNON, W.Va. — Commerce Secretary Woody Thrasher says West Virginia’s timber industry has untapped economic potential. “There absolutely are other opportunities,” Thrasher said this past week while taking part in the ceremonial opening of a Division of Forestry district headquarters in Upshur County in the heart of the state’s timber activities. Many of West Virginia’s signature industries have long struggled with raw materials being shipped elsewhere to be turned into final products. “It’s true in petrochemicals, it’s been true in coal and it’s true in forestry,” Thrasher said. “So we want to change that. The governor wants those value-added products locating in West Virginia. He cited this fall’s announcement by Armstrong Flooring in Randolph County that it intends to expand, potentially adding 50 jobs. 

Read More