Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.
Today is Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026.
…and now for the rest of the stories…on today’s daily304.com!
#1 – From WV ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT – See what’s thriving in West Virginia
West Virginia’s economy has grown beyond its traditional roots in resource extraction, with companies finding opportunities across a wide range of industries.
The West Virginia Division of Economic Development highlights sectors including aerospace, automotive, building products, chemicals and polymers, data centers, defense, energy, food and agriculture, forest products, life sciences, manufacturing, metals and technology.
Automotive manufacturers benefit from a skilled workforce and access to materials including steel, aluminum and polymers. Chemical companies can tap into existing industrial parks, natural gas supplies and shared services. Manufacturers draw on an experienced workforce, while fulfillment and distribution operations benefit from the state’s location and logistics advantages.
Learn more: https://westvirginia.gov/thriving-industries/
#2 – From TRAVEL + LEISURE – Find some real solitude in the Cranberry Wilderness
Want to REALLY get away?
Travel + Leisure recently called West Virginia’s Cranberry Wilderness one of the most peaceful places in the country and highlighted it as a spectacular destination for fall color.
The wilderness covers 47,742 acres, making it one of the largest roadless wilderness areas east of the Mississippi. Elevations range from about 2,400 to more than 4,600 feet, and visitors can explore roughly 70 miles of hiking trails through mountains, streams, waterfalls and swimming holes.
For an easier adventure, the Falls of Hills Creek Trail passes three waterfalls over roughly a mile and a half. The nearby Cranberry Glades Botanical Area offers a half-mile boardwalk through a high-elevation bog filled with unusual plants. And the 4.7-mile Black Mountain Trail offers overlooks of the Williams River Valley and some impressive fall foliage.
No traffic. No crowds. Just a whole lot of Almost Heaven.
Read more:
https://www.travelandleisure.com/cranberry-wilderness-west-virginia-12071248
#3 – From CONCORD UNIVERSITY – Turning summer jobs into career experience
Concord University students have a new opportunity to turn summer work into real-world career experience.
Concord University and the Summit Bechtel Reserve have established an internship pipeline designed to give students hands-on experience in hospitality, tourism, recreation, guest services and large-scale event coordination at the Summit near Glen Jean.
Eligible Concord business students who work 60 days during the summer can receive paid internships, mentorship from experienced staff and managers, letters of completion and reference, and potential scholarship opportunities. Concord will also integrate the program into work-based learning and academic credit options.
The goal is bigger than a summer job. It’s about giving students practical skills, professional connections and experience they can carry into their careers.
Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304.
The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty, and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo.
That’s all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.
