West Virginia University officials have offered economic support to Upper Kanawha Valley governments if they promise not to bring forth or support litigation that would prevent the university from moving its Institute of Technology from Montgomery.
According to a document outlining a potential agreement between WVU, Kanawha and Fayette county commissions and the towns of Montgomery and Smithers, the university's Board of Governors will provide support, help fund economic development plans and maintain the facilities it will vacate when it moves Tech to Beckley in 2017, if government officials promise not to sue the university.
Kanawha County officials already have agreed not to file a lawsuit against WVU. In an October meeting, county commissioners unanimously decided they would not try to stop WVU Tech's move, after they met with university officials who promised support for the Upper Kanawha Valley. However, commissioners will meet today to consider officially signing the agreement with WVU.
The meeting, which is at the County Courthouse in Charleston, starts at 8:30 a.m.
As part of the agreement, the university, and Upper Kanawha Valley governments that sign on, will create groups that will collaborate in the area. One group would be formed by university officials, while the other would include government appointees.
The university-created group would oversee an economic growth analysis of the Upper Kanawha Valley and an impact study of the WVU Tech move. It also would help develop a comprehensive plan for the city of Montgomery, help secure grant funding for continued services and facilitate WVU health programs in the area.
The university also would provide resources to serve the Upper Kanawha Valley, including stationing an economic development specialist, community development specialist or an extension agent in Montgomery.
According to agreement terms, government officials may not initiate or support litigation, legislation or administrative action that would prevent moving WVU Tech or selling facilities in Montgomery.
Local groups trying to stop the move, as well as a portion of state code that requires WVU Tech to be headquartered in Montgomery, could complicate the move.
If Kanawha and Fayette officials sign the agreement, the university promises to maintain WVU Tech facilities in Montgomery until at least 2025. According to the agreement, this includes providing security, landscaping and maintenance, all of which could be contracted out to the towns of Montgomery and Smithers or third parties.
As part of the agreement, WVU also promises to uphold existing collaborative initiatives with BridgeValley Community and Technical College and Montgomery General Hospital.
WVU's Board of Governors unanimously approved moving Tech to Beckley in September. Part of the reason university President Gordon Gee and Tech President Carolyn Long have for moving the school is its failure to meet enrollment goals and serious structural issues with buildings on campus, brought on by an estimated $100 million in deferred maintenance.
The relocation will happen in two stages. Starting in the fall semester, first-year students will be admitted to the Beckley campus, which was purchased by WVU last year for $8 million. Sophomores, juniors and seniors can choose to complete their degrees in Montgomery, and the school's 15 sports programs will not be moved until after the transition is completed, in 2017.
Reach Samuel Speciale at sam.speciale@wvgazettemail.com, 304-348-7939 or follow @samueljspeciale on Twitter.