WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Rep. Nick J. Rahall (D-WV) announced today that the Bluefield Technology Transfer and Community Development Center, operated by the Bluefield State College Research and Development Corporation, has been selected to serve as the Southern Anchor point for the Connected Technologies Corridors program.

The Congressman made the official designation during a ceremony at 3 p.m. Wednesday at the Bluefield State College Research and Development Building.

"This is an exciting development for the CTC program and I commend Bluefield State College for their dedication to bringing the latest technological opportunities to businesses in our area," Rahall said.

The Technology Transfer and Community Development Center houses a small business incubator, space for light industrial activities and office space for companies locating in Bluefield.  The facility has conference rooms, an auditorium and training rooms.  To assist companies needing broadband high-speed Internet access, the facility has direct access to an optical carrier with high transmission speeds. This, coupled with the planned optical carrier being run through Tazewell, Mercer and Bland counties, provides companies in the area with a tremendous level of access and competitive advantage.

Dr. Albert L. Walker, President Bluefield State College and President of Bluefield State College Research and Development Corporation, applauded the designation.

 "The designation of this facility represents a significant step by Bluefield State College, Bluefield State College Research and Development Corporation, the Connected Technologies Corridors, the I-77 High Technology Corridor and several other partners in creating a synergy between local government, higher education and the business community designed to stimulate economic, educational, and research success in the Bluefield State College service area," Walker said.

Norm Kirkham, executive director of the Connected Technologies Corridors program, agreed adding:

 "The technical capacity of this wonderful building makes it ideal as the southern anchor of the CTC initiative. This is a clear indication of the strong partnership between Bluefield State College, its Research and Development Corporation, Congressman Rahall and the CTC Board of Directors. The bandwidth available at this building is remarkable and this capacity needs to be heavily marketed. Mr. Gerald James and Bluefield State are to be commended for this project."

  This designation is just one of the many innovative things happening in Southern West Virginia creating excitement and momentum that will carry the area into the future. For instance, Concord College is rapidly closing in on completion of construction of the Rahall Technology Center, which will provide another platform for innovation and regional economic development.

Concord University President Dr. Jerry Beasley thanked Congressman Rahall for his leadership and expressed his support for a regional approach to technology development.

"We are grateful for the Congressman's leadership," Beasley said. "We feel the regional approach just makes sense. We look forward to the Rahall Technology Center opening after the first of the year. We welcome inquiries from new or existing businesses looking to expand to this new facility and offer attractive incentive packages for these types of businesses. And we appreciate the help to date from the Mercer County Development Authority and the WV Development Office."

The Connected Technologies Corridors (CTC) materialized from Rahall's desire and efforts to harness the technological resources of southern West Virginia to optimize the potential for the region's economic future. The seed funding for this start-up economic development initiative is being provided by the Benedum Foundation, Verizon West Virginia and Frontier Communications.

"Technology, as many know, is one of the three Ts that I see as keys to economic advancement in West Virginia," Rahall said. "Combined with work in the areas of transportation and tourism, technology successes will go a long way toward unlocking the economic promise of our region."

The Connected Technologies Corridors Program (CTC) is a collaborative effort of the Greenbrier Valley Economic Development Corporation, 4-C Economic Development Authority, The Development Authority of Mercer County, the McDowell County Economic Development Authority, Webster County Economic Development Authority and the Wyoming County Economic Development Authority, Region 1 Planning and Development Council, and the Region 4 Planning and Development Council.  The new technology organization is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of directors from each of these locally based economic and community development entities.   

 These entities, representing 11 county commissions and more than 50 municipalities, have come together for the purpose of broadband development and deployment, entrepreneurial startups, retention and expansion of technology based businesses, and regional marketing for the 11-county area of southeastern West Virginia and what it  has to offer to the world. 

August 2 , 2006