Topic: HD website very interesting

[Gaylen]

Went to the HD website and did a quick count to find five wvu stories and six Marshall, counting Chuck's column and a schedule.

[Herdmeister]

Went to the HD website and did a quick count to find five wvu stories and six Marshall, counting Chuck's column and a schedule.

Chuck and I spoke about this recently. Now that his column is in both papers, he will be having to attend 6 Marshall and 6 wvu games this fall. He is not happy about having to comment on wvu but it pays the mortgage.
With the situation as it is, we must expect to see more and more wvu crap on the HD.
I wish someone would buy the HD or the Gagzette from the Reynolds family and separate the papers again.

[2xBison]

maybe Chuck can piss them off.  he's even better at pissing wvu fans off than herd fans.

[marshallmark]

Chuck and I spoke about this recently. Now that his column is in both papers, he will be having to attend 6 Marshall and 6 wvu games this fall. He is not happy about having to comment on wvu but it pays the mortgage.
With the situation as it is, we must expect to see more and more wvu crap on the HD.
I wish someone would buy the HD or the Gagzette from the Reynolds family and separate the papers again.

More likely, the Charleston side will swallow the Huntington side, and we'll get the Gazette-Mail with a small Huntington insert.  There are some very real financial issues w/ the H-D caused by a major decrease in advertising and a precipitous drop in subscriptions.  Medium to small size newspapers are struggling all over the country and many have ceased publication altogether. 

[Herdmeister]

More likely, the Charleston side will swallow the Huntington side, and we'll get the Gazette-Mail with a small Huntington insert.  There are some very real financial issues w/ the H-D caused by a major decrease in advertising and a precipitous drop in subscriptions.  Medium to small size newspapers are struggling all over the country and many have ceased publication altogether.

Chuck was telling me that the hospital consolidation in Huntington cost the H-D $500,000 in advertising revenue.

I also read a month ago that the "Vindicator" a long time Youngstown paper, ceased operations. That make Youngstown the largest US city with no daily newspaper.

I only subscribe to the electronic issue and saves me money. Not sure that stopping the actual printing of the paper will be enough to stop the money losses.

[HerdBlizz]

Years ago the Herald Dispatch ran 3 papers.  They did the Huntington Advertiser which was the afternoon paper and then ran a "early" addition of the Herald Dispatch which they ran early in the evening that got sent out to the far outreaches of their coverage area for their morning paper and then did the"HOME" addition which served the overnight in the closer areas.  Now days their circulation is only about 26000 a day. 

[goherd73]

I did notice this morning (Sat) the HD had two Marshall articles and one WVU. Both Herd stories were page one of the sports section and the WVU story was page three along with OSU.

I find usually that's the case with a few exceptions.

[coalherd]

The problems besetting the Herald-Dispatch just continue to reflect, IMO, the long economic stagnation/malaise in the greater Huntington area economy.  Despite many efforts, plans, schemes over the last 3 to 4 decades, there has NOT been great jobs creation in the city and in Cabell-Wayne counties.  Hence, continuing population loss, continuing decline and deterioration in the city's and area's housing stock, etc.  No wonder advertising revenues at the H-D continue to suffer.

Believe the city and area in the long run will rue the apparent failure and State abandonment of the Pritchard Intermodal project.  If Huntington, the area and State Government had ANY real leadership with the "vision thing", they would have gotten together to really push and develop that Wayne County project.  Formulate plans and approach a growing giant like Amazon, proposing that they consider putting a distribution center in that area.  With the State upgrading, i.e., building a 4 land road back to I-64, the road to Pritchard, the railroad and nearby Tri-State airport, the site would appear to have all the transportation essentials needed for such a distribution center.  Once one such concern such as Amazon located there, other similar type businesses might have followed suit.  But, again IMO, I just don't think that neither the Huntington business community nor the city government ever were enthusiastic about the Wayne County project and never totally got behind it.

Now apparently Mayor Williams and the city are putting most of their eggs behind the Highlawn/ACF area development project(s).  Lets see if anything in the next 2 or 3 years will REALLY DEVELOP there, in terms of real job creation, besides the proposed MU baseball facility over along 5th Avenue.  And believe me, a new baseball facility on its own will NOT do much to create the kinds of, and enough, jobs that Huntington so desperately needs!!!

[Fanniecaddy]

That family was featured on a nat geo show doomsday preppers, too. I am not sure they are really preppers so much as homesteaders. They seem to do it all in soil. I didnt see any aquaponics or fish.

____
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[svherd]

The problems besetting the Herald-Dispatch just continue to reflect, IMO, the long economic stagnation/malaise in the greater Huntington area economy.  Despite many efforts, plans, schemes over the last 3 to 4 decades, there has NOT been great jobs creation in the city and in Cabell-Wayne counties.  Hence, continuing population loss, continuing decline and deterioration in the city's and area's housing stock, etc.  No wonder advertising revenues at the H-D continue to suffer.

Believe the city and area in the long run will rue the apparent failure and State abandonment of the Pritchard Intermodal project.  If Huntington, the area and State Government had ANY real leadership with the "vision thing", they would have gotten together to really push and develop that Wayne County project.  Formulate plans and approach a growing giant like Amazon, proposing that they consider putting a distribution center in that area.  With the State upgrading, i.e., building a 4 land road back to I-64, the road to Pritchard, the railroad and nearby Tri-State airport, the site would appear to have all the transportation essentials needed for such a distribution center.  Once one such concern such as Amazon located there, other similar type businesses might have followed suit.  But, again IMO, I just don't think that neither the Huntington business community nor the city government ever were enthusiastic about the Wayne County project and never totally got behind it.

Now apparently Mayor Williams and the city are putting most of their eggs behind the Highlawn/ACF area development project(s).  Lets see if anything in the next 2 or 3 years will REALLY DEVELOP there, in terms of real job creation, besides the proposed MU baseball facility over along 5th Avenue.  And believe me, a new baseball facility on its own will NOT do much to create the kinds of, and enough, jobs that Huntington so desperately needs!!!

But hey, we're an all inclusive city, provide every imaginable service for druggies, and have the brand new HIV cluster. Williams and the crew must be beaming with pride. Meanwhile Huntington continues to lose population and many parents are hesitant to send their kids to Marshall because of the danger.

The intermodal facility was doomed from the start. The person hired to run it was truly clueless as to what the job entailed and the fact that he and those involved never marketed to companies in Ohio or KY to use the facility. DUH!

When those in the southern portion of the state still think coal will save us, that's a sign to lock the gates and turn out the lights. Truly sad. Should have diversified 50 years ago. 

[MUther]

But hey, we're an all inclusive city, provide every imaginable service for druggies, and have the brand new HIV cluster. Williams and the crew must be beaming with pride. Meanwhile Huntington continues to lose population and many parents are hesitant to send their kids to Marshall because of the danger.

The intermodal facility was doomed from the start. The person hired to run it was truly clueless as to what the job entailed and the fact that he and those involved never marketed to companies in Ohio or KY to use the facility. DUH!

When those in the southern portion of the state still think coal will save us, that's a sign to lock the gates and turn out the lights. Truly sad. Should have diversified 50 years ago.

You used to be pretty high on Huntington, no pun intended.  Arguing that those of us who thought it was becoming a shthole were wrong and their was a lot to love about Huntington.  What changed for you?  The drug problem, projects not coming to fruition, shrinking population and opportunities, all of the above?  Just curious.  I don't think you hate Huntington or anything but you've definitely gravitated away from defending it.

[svherd]

You used to be pretty high on Huntington, no pun intended.  Arguing that those of us who thought it was becoming a shthole were wrong and their was a lot to love about Huntington.  What changed for you?  The drug problem, projects not coming to fruition, shrinking population and opportunities, all of the above?  Just curious.  I don't think you hate Huntington or anything but you've definitely gravitated away from defending it.

I still love Huntington and thinks it a nice city but when the city leaders value druggies over business and trying to establish some type of economic growth for the future, that’s what gets me. Not gonna get into another debate but I have noticed EVERY city I have traveled to the last year or so has gotten worse for crime, litter, homeless and drugs. The only exception may be Salt Lake City.

[HuntersvilleHerd]

To say that city leaders “value druggies over business” is preposterous and uninformed. When your city has been dubbed the opioid abuse capital of America (fairly or unfairly), it would be unthinkable to not designate some resources to the problem & residents affected. That does not mean they are not working on business & economic development, the two are not mutually exclusive.

The fact that Huntington is struggling with both issues is common in every rust belt city of a certain size. It’s a very complex issue, despite your simple summary.

[svherd]

To say that city leaders “value druggies over business” is preposterous and uninformed. When your city has been dubbed the opioid abuse capital of America (fairly or unfairly), it would be unthinkable to not designate some resources to the problem & residents affected. That does not mean they are not working on business & economic development, the two are not mutually exclusive.

The fact that Huntington is struggling with both issues is common in every rust belt city of a certain size. It’s a very complex issue, despite your simple summary.

BS. Do you ever see, hear or read of any movement on the part of city leaders to improve the business climate or the economy? No. Other than the pie in the sky brownfield development announcement nothing has come from city hall regarding anything remotely considered positive news. And when the mayor and fire chief parade around town and country extolling how great we are doing in combatting the drug issue, it’s embarrassing. They take more joy in that than anything else.

No one wants to move here or go to college here due to the drug issues and the crime tied to it. But yet we bury our heads in the sand while city leaders pat themselves on the back about what a great job they are doing. We are enabling a segment of the cities population to the detriment of all. Laughable!

[Dunk]

There are plenty of small businesses moving downtown along with apartment residents. Hotels have been upgraded recently and overall it looks positive to me. Recently a new engineering firm and recreational business went in on 3rd Avenue.

Some examples of positive stories recently:

https://discoversoutheast.com/west_virginia/huntington/hidden_jewel/

https://www.facebook.com/The-Real-Huntington-259155398367983/

[svherd]

There are plenty of small businesses moving downtown along with apartment residents. Hotels have been upgraded recently and overall it looks positive to me. Recently a new engineering firm and recreational business went in on 3rd Avenue.

Some examples of positive stories recently:

https://discoversoutheast.com/west_virginia/huntington/hidden_jewel/

https://www.facebook.com/The-Real-Huntington-259155398367983/

Those are indeed positives, thanks for posting. My hope would be that Huntington go after soft manufacturing or distribution facilities to bring jobs here that pay well enough to support family. Most new jobs around here are in the service industry that basically pays minimum wage. I do know it’s a challenge to find workers around here that can pass a drug test. Pretty sad.

[HuntersvilleHerd]

Those are indeed positives, thanks for posting. My hope would be that Huntington go after soft manufacturing or distribution facilities to bring jobs here that pay well enough to support family. Most new jobs around here are in the service industry that basically pays minimum wage. I do know it’s a challenge to find workers around here that can pass a drug test. Pretty sad.

My cousin Brandon Dennison’s Coalfield Development Company has received national acclaim for his local jobs program, including this write up in Forbes about it could be a model for the nation.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.forbes.com/sites/ashoka/2018/10/26/why-this-workforce-program-in-west-virginia-can-be-critical-for-the-nation/amp/

Brandon also worked closely with Mayor Williams to secure the national cities award of $3M that includes plans to bring polymer manufacturing jobs to the city. 2 out of state companies just invested several million in the downtown hotels, and locals have opened shops in most of the formerly vacant storefronts. I have been very impressed with the progress and planning going on in Huntington.

[svherd]

My cousin Brandon Dennison’s Coalfield Development Company has received national acclaim for his local jobs program, including this write up in Forbes about it could be a model for the nation.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.forbes.com/sites/ashoka/2018/10/26/why-this-workforce-program-in-west-virginia-can-be-critical-for-the-nation/amp/

Brandon also worked closely with Mayor Williams to secure the national cities award of $3M that includes plans to bring polymer manufacturing jobs to the city. 2 out of state companies just invested several million in the downtown hotels, and locals have opened shops in most of the formerly vacant storefronts. I have been very impressed with the progress and planning going on in Huntington.

Good to know. Really wish the HD would print articles such as this, instead of front page articles on Opioid arrests or needle exchange. To outsiders, that’s all we are.

[elginherd]

Those are indeed positives, thanks for posting. My hope would be that Huntington go after soft manufacturing or distribution facilities to bring jobs here that pay well enough to support family. Most new jobs around here are in the service industry that basically pays minimum wage. I do know it’s a challenge to find workers around here that can pass a drug test. Pretty sad.

I've always had a problem with positive tests for any drug disqualifying all candidates for all jobs. Clearly the requirements for someone driving trucks, operating heavy equipment, electrical work, etc should be different than someone working in an office or a convenience store or repairing computers, etc. I don't really know exactly where the lines should be drawn, but where they are presently drawn is counterproductive to both prospective employees & prospective employers alike.

[goherd73]

From the HD......

HUNTINGTON — An Atlanta-based engineering firm announced its expansion into Huntington and has scheduled a grand opening ceremony from 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 6, at the new branch office located in the 900 block of 3rd Avenue.

The new location of Prime Engineering Inc. will start with four employees, company officials said.

"We truly believe that this office has a real opportunity to create jobs and bring revenue into the local economy," said Adam Weible, senior project manager at the new facility. "Most of us at Prime in Huntington are Tri-State natives, and we're excited to have the opportunity to serve our clients in this region effectively, while offering talented people in the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industries opportunities to enhance the quality of life for our community."

Weible says the new Huntington office is a vital component of Prime's ongoing expansion as the firm deploys its multidisciplinary engineering, planning and construction management capabilities nationwide. The Huntington office is Prime's latest acquisition in a flurry of growth that also includes offices and operations in Cincinnati, Pittsburgh and Tampa.

[goherd73]

From the HD last month....

HUNTINGTON — A company that provides high-tech sales and marketing services is considering expanding its footprint in West Virginia with a new Huntington office.

"N3 is a tech company that is seriously considering starting up an office in downtown Huntington," said David Lieving, president and CEO of Huntington Area Development Council (HADCO). "They have visited us on two occasions and they absolutely love our downtown central business district. If we can demonstrate a sufficient labor pool for them to choose from, they could bring as many as 140 jobs to Huntington."

N3's vice president of operations confirmed the interest in an email to The Herald-Dispatch.

"N3 is considering expanding their WV location to Huntington in order to continue growth with access to a wider talent pool," Kenneth Boggs, vice president of operations, wrote. "Since October 2017, we have approached almost 200 employees in our Charleston office. The success we have experienced allows us to consider an even greater footprint in West Virginia, and Huntington is one of the first considerations to continue our growth. In order to make a decision, we want to first explore the workforce in Huntington - thus the collection of resumes and subsequent interviews. We hope to make a decision by this fall, though we're flexible in this endeavor."

[coalherd]

goherd73, these are the kinds of jobs that the city, as well as the state as a whole, need to recruit to try and offset the jobs that continue to decline in the natural resources extraction (i.e., energy) industries, IMO.  And these are the kinds of companies that people like President Gilbert need to contact to see what educational requirements, courses of study, degrees, etc., they are looking for in the backgrounds/resumes of  prospective hires.  The MU needs to react accordingly and hopefully provide meaningful courses of study, degree offerings, etc., to satisfy the needs of said potential employers in the Huntington area.  Ultimate goals are to provide a sufficient pool of educated workers in the greater Huntington area to help entice new employers and industry to the city and area.  And at the same time, to improve MU's chances of significantly growing its enrollment by showing prospective new students the value of MU degrees to those who are working and living in the 21st Century economy.  A win-win for BOTH Huntington AND MU!!!!!!!!

[elginherd]

Great post Coal.
I wish that the leadership of this state would realize & had realized that all the extraction industries are boom or bust & temporary.

[herdfan129]

The N3 company email was from 2017 and said they were hoping to make a decision by the fall....has there been an update with this? Would really love to see 140 good jobs come in to the the downtown business district of Huntington.

Overall, Huntington is on the rise. It's just the local media gives more attention to the bad headlines. As others have said, the new/updated hotels downtown, the new school of pharmacy, the old projects along Hal Greer being torn down, city finally purchasing the old ACF lot, all the abandoned houses/buildings that have been torn down (many more to go) etc etc.

I do agree with svherd though, the city needs to stop catering to these junkies and run their butts out of town. As for the transients, I will help pay for their bus ticket back to wherever they came from. Get rid of them. We don't want them here, we don't need them here, they contribute nothing to our city. If our city leadership would just crack down on this one issue then I would be extremely happy about the direction the city is moving in.

[svherd]

Great post Coal.
I wish that the leadership of this state would realize & had realized that all the extraction industries are boom or bust & temporary.

That’s the problem in a nutshell. Should have diversified the states economy 50 years ago. The northern part of the state realized this and is doing much better than the southern part.