Publication: CHARLESTON DAILY MAIL
Published: 04/01/2004
Byline: JIM WALLACE DAILY MAIL STAFF

Leaders of an effort to see that West Virginia gets economic development benefits from addressing the nation's homeland security concerns are hoping to enlist industry in their cause soon.

Sen. John Unger, who is setting up a Council on Economic Development in Homeland Security, wants to determine how West Virginia companies could meet national security needs either with products they're already making or with new ones they could make.

The Department of Homeland Security recently put out the word that it's eager to have companies submit proposals like that, so he thinks it's a perfect time for West Virginia to take advantage of that interest.

"Keep in mind that this agency has only been around for one year, and it's ripe," said Unger, D-Berkeley. "It's in a position where it's willing to take ideas. They don't have already preconceived notions."

Jim Juetten, state government affairs coordinator for DuPont, has discussed that subject with Unger and thinks it has merit.

"Sen. Unger has a fairly interesting vision of how West Virginia can really meet the needs of the nation in regard to homeland security," Juetten said. "He's very much a visionary in that respect."

Carl Irwin, program director for the National Research Center for Coal and Energy at West Virginia University, also likes the concept, which includes having higher education research facilities work with companies to develop appropriate products.

"I think it's a very interesting, innovative idea and I think there is an opportunity," he said.

The state should approach that opportunity much like it did with the Industries of the Future, a national program that helps manufacturers be more energy efficient and productive, Irwin said.

West Virginia was the first state to work with Industries of the Future and became a model for other states, he said, and its rural location makes West Virginia a good place to work on homeland security issues.

"We can look at things that are important without some of the urgency that New York City or Washington, D.C., have," Irwin said. "That's sort of our position."

Irwin is not aware of any other state that's taking such an early interest in getting economic development out of addressing homeland security needs. Nor is Juetten, who deals with state governments in Kentucky and Tennessee, as well as West Virginia. He added that DuPont, as a science-based company with 3,000 employees in West Virginia, would like to position its products to contribute to making the nation stronger.

"Clearly, I see that is an opportunity not only for West Virginia but for DuPont as well," Juetten said. "At DuPont, I would look for us to assess what goods and materials we have to address homeland security needs."

DuPont hasn't specifically looked at getting grants from the Department of Homeland Security, he said, but he wants to be part of any dialogue on that subject in West Virginia. "Wouldn't it be great to tap into the innovative ideas that come from companies in West Virginia?" Juetten asked.

Unger sees the state's role in this effort as similar to the way it operates trade offices in Japan and Germany, but instead of promoting what West Virginia businesses can offer in foreign markets, it would promote their ability to meet the nation's homeland security needs.

The Council for Economic Development in Homeland Security he is setting up will be a think tank under the auspices of A Vision Shared, the state's economic development plan. Unger has the support of Senate President Earl Ray Tomblin, D-Logan, who also wants to set up a legislative committee to work on the subject.

Juetten said the next step in the process is to get all the parties from government, industry and higher education engaged in the discussion and prepared "to invest some sweat equity" into making it work.

"West Virginia can be of great value to the nation," he said.

Writer Jim Wallace can be reached at 348-4819 or by e-mail at jimw@dailymail.com.