West Virginia University Health System will receive more than $3.4 million in state Rural Health Transformation Program funding to improve care for patients with chronic illnesses and help rural hospitals address staffing shortages.
Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced the awards, which will support programs designed to help patients manage their health from home and provide hospitals with additional healthcare workers when staffing needs arise, according to a statement released from the governor’s office.
“West Virginians deserve access to quality healthcare no matter where they live,” Morrisey said. “These investments will help patients manage serious health conditions before they become emergencies while making sure our rural hospitals have the healthcare professionals they need to serve their communities. Better healthcare means healthier West Virginians who can return to work, support their families, and contribute to a stronger economy.”
More than $2.5 million will go toward the state’s Connected Care Grid initiative, which will expand services for West Virginians with diabetes and high blood pressure.
The program will establish a team of nurses and other healthcare professionals based in West Virginia to help patients monitor their conditions at home and connect with medical care when needed. It is expected to serve approximately 1,200 patients during its first year, with services reaching communities in all 55 counties.
The initiative also will allow eligible patients to enroll in monitoring services before leaving the hospital. The goal is to maintain communication between patients and healthcare providers during the transition home and reduce complications associated with chronic illnesses.
“WVU Health already serves patients in communities across West Virginia and has built a strong foundation for delivering innovative care,” state Health Secretary Dr. Arvin Singh said. “This investment allows them to build on that work by helping more people manage chronic conditions, stay connected to their healthcare providers, and access support closer to home.”
A second award of $900,000 will support the Mountain State Care Force initiative, which will create a statewide pool of healthcare professionals who can be assigned to hospitals facing staffing shortages.
The program will prioritize rural and critical access hospitals, helping communities maintain access to essential medical services. Funding also will support efforts to prepare healthcare professionals to work across multiple WVU Health facilities, allowing them to be deployed more quickly when staffing demands increase.
West Virginia is entering a national competition to host the proposed United States Space Academy, a move that could bring new jobs, private investment and educational opportunities to the state.
Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced the state-sponsored bid, saying West Virginia intends to compete for a role in the nation’s future space program.
“West Virginia helped write the history of America’s space program, and now we have an opportunity to compete for a role in its next chapter,” Morrisey said according to a statement from the governor’s office. “This will be a tough competition, but West Virginia has a strong case to make. We are going to fight for every opportunity that can bring good-paying jobs to our state, grow our economy, and help make West Virginia more affordable for our families.”
President Donald Trump established the United States Space Academy through Executive Order 14423 on August 28. NASA’s Office of Strategic Infrastructure subsequently issued a national request for potential locations for the proposed institution.
NASA is seeking a site that can accommodate an inaugural class of 300 students in 2028, with construction of a permanent campus beginning no later than 2027. The campus would need at least 300 acres and the capacity to serve 1,200 students by 2031, with room to eventually expand to approximately 4,000 students.
Nearly every higher education institution in West Virginia has joined the effort, forming a statewide network to help support the academy’s curriculum while a permanent campus is developed and accredited. Marshall University and West Virginia University’s joint grant resource centers are assisting with the state’s proposal ahead of the October 26 deadline.
Morrisey said the effort aligns with his administration’s focus on attracting investment and creating employment opportunities for West Virginians.
“Economic development has to translate into something real for West Virginia families,” Morrisey said. “That means more good-paying jobs, more opportunities for our kids to build their careers here at home, and a stronger economy that helps us keep taxes low and make West Virginia more affordable. Jobs and affordability are what this is ultimately about.”
The state is pursuing the opportunity amid a period of significant announced economic development. West Virginia has secured approximately $96 billion in announced private-sector investment and more than 19,000 projected jobs in less than a year, according to the governor’s office. The administration said that level of announced development is approximately nine times what the state had previously experienced over a comparable one-year period.
Although West Virginia would face competition from states with established aerospace industries, Morrisey said the state has a distinct history and potential advantages to present.
“We know that it’s not easy to compete on space issues with states such as Florida or Texas, but West Virginia has our own unique space story to tell,” Morrisey added.
The governor is encouraging communities across the state to contribute potential sites, development concepts and other resources that could strengthen West Virginia’s proposal.
Additional information about the state’s effort is available at wvspaceacademy.com.
West Virginia will receive $9 million in federal funding over five years to expand college and career preparation services for students in 20 counties, Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced.
The funding is expected to serve 3,600 students annually through a new initiative designed to help young people prepare for higher education, workforce training and future employment, according to a statement released from the governor’s office.
“We’re bringing new jobs and investment into West Virginia at a historic pace, and we need to make sure our young people are prepared to take advantage of those opportunities,” Morrisey said. “This investment will open doors for thousands of students who haven’t had access to these services before, helping them build successful careers and futures right here in West Virginia.”
The U.S. Department of Education’s Talent Search Program will fund Advancing College Education in West Virginia, or ACE WV. The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission will lead the initiative in partnership with six universities.
The program will extend services to communities that have not previously had access to these resources. Beginning in sixth grade, participating students will receive tutoring, academic advising, college preparation assistance and guidance on financial aid, apprenticeships and workforce training.
In Marion County, 390 students from 10 middle and high schools are expected to participate.
Students also will be able to use ACE Wallets, digital records intended to track their academic accomplishments, skills and credentials as they progress through school and prepare for college or employment.
“West Virginia has some of the hardest-working and most talented people in America, and we’re creating new opportunities for them to succeed,” Morrisey said. “I want our kids to have every opportunity to earn a great living without having to leave the state they call home. That’s how we strengthen our workforce, make life more affordable and build a stronger West Virginia.”
The initiative comes as West Virginia works to prepare its workforce for anticipated economic growth. More than 19,000 jobs are projected to be associated with approximately $96 billion in announced private-sector investments since October 2025, according to the governor’s office.
Gov. Patrick Morrisey (R) is remembering Ike Morris as a businessman whose decades of work in West Virginia’s energy industry were matched by his generosity toward students, families and communities across the state.
Morrisey issued a statement Monday following the death of Morris, a Glenville businessman and philanthropist who died October 19 at age 88.
Morrisey highlighted Morris’ journey to West Virginia, where he built a successful business and spent much of his life supporting others.
“Ike Morris made the Mountain State his home, and few people have done more to give back to the state they love,” Morrisey said, according to a statement released by the Governor’s Office.
Morrisey said Morris helped strengthen West Virginia’s economy through his work in the oil and natural gas industry, creating jobs and building businesses over more than six decades.
The governor also pointed to Morris’ philanthropic contributions, particularly his support for Glenville State University, scholarships, youth athletics and community programs in Gilmer County and beyond.
While Morris built a substantial business legacy, Morrisey said his generosity toward others may ultimately be what he is remembered for most.
He praised Morris for helping students access educational opportunities and supporting community initiatives without seeking public recognition or personal rewards.
Morrisey said Morris’ life reflected the importance of helping others and giving back to the communities that provide opportunities for success.
“Ike understood something important about West Virginia. Our greatest strength has always been our people and our willingness to help our neighbors,” Morrisey said.
Morrisey and his wife, Denise, extended their condolences to Morris’ wife of 62 years, Sue, their children, Doug and Shelly, and the rest of the family.
The governor described Morris as an influential businessman and philanthropist whose impact will continue through the institutions he supported and the people whose lives he changed.
Morris founded Waco Oil & Gas Co. in 1975 after arriving in West Virginia in 1962. His business interests eventually expanded into land and mineral holdings, real estate and other ventures, with businesses associated with him employing more than 160 people in central West Virginia at the time of his death.
His philanthropic efforts included significant investments in Glenville State University, where his contributions helped support facilities, academic programs and scholarships. He also donated land for two Gilmer County elementary schools and helped provide land for the federal correctional institution in Gilmer County.
Morris’ legacy extended throughout his home community, where he supported educational opportunities, athletic programs and charitable causes.
Morrisey said the effects of Morris’ work will continue to benefit West Virginians for generations.
Unsurprisingly, Baby Boomers have reclaimed the top spot for home purchases, surpassing Millennials for the first time since 2014, according to a new report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Millennials, who had dominated home-buying from 2014 to 2022, accounted for 38% of home purchases in 2023, compared to 31% by Baby Boomers. However, […]
State
Dr. Oz and Governor Morrisey Announce More Than $3.4 Million for West Virginia Rural Health Care
West Virginia University Health System will receive more than $3.4 million in state Rural Health Transformation Program funding to improve care for patients with chronic illnesses and help rural hospitals address staffing shortages.
Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced the awards, which will support programs designed to help patients manage their health from home and provide hospitals with additional healthcare workers when staffing needs arise, according to a statement released from the governor’s office.
“West Virginians deserve access to quality healthcare no matter where they live,” Morrisey said. “These investments will help patients manage serious health conditions before they become emergencies while making sure our rural hospitals have the healthcare professionals they need to serve their communities. Better healthcare means healthier West Virginians who can return to work, support their families, and contribute to a stronger economy.”
More than $2.5 million will go toward the state’s Connected Care Grid initiative, which will expand services for West Virginians with diabetes and high blood pressure.
The program will establish a team of nurses and other healthcare professionals based in West Virginia to help patients monitor their conditions at home and connect with medical care when needed. It is expected to serve approximately 1,200 patients during its first year, with services reaching communities in all 55 counties.
The initiative also will allow eligible patients to enroll in monitoring services before leaving the hospital. The goal is to maintain communication between patients and healthcare providers during the transition home and reduce complications associated with chronic illnesses.
“WVU Health already serves patients in communities across West Virginia and has built a strong foundation for delivering innovative care,” state Health Secretary Dr. Arvin Singh said. “This investment allows them to build on that work by helping more people manage chronic conditions, stay connected to their healthcare providers, and access support closer to home.”
A second award of $900,000 will support the Mountain State Care Force initiative, which will create a statewide pool of healthcare professionals who can be assigned to hospitals facing staffing shortages.
The program will prioritize rural and critical access hospitals, helping communities maintain access to essential medical services. Funding also will support efforts to prepare healthcare professionals to work across multiple WVU Health facilities, allowing them to be deployed more quickly when staffing demands increase.
Gov. Morrisey Announces West Virginia Bid to Host United States Space Academy
Gov. Morrisey Announces $9 Million to Expand College and Career Opportunities
Governor Morrisey Offers Condolences Following the Passing of Ike Morris
West Virginia Businessman and Philanthropist Ike Morris Dies at 88
Eastern West Virginia Behavioral Health Provider Receives $500,000 State Award