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Medical school outlines 'Greenbrier Valley Biohub' plans, invites county to groundbreaking and forum
Summary
Representatives from the local medical school updated commissioners on enrollment, local economic impact and plans for a Greenbrier Valley Biohub and invited county participation in an Aug. 20–21 groundbreaking and economic forum; no county funding was requested at the meeting.
Representatives from the local medical school briefed the Greenbrier County Commission on campus activity and an economic-development proposal called the Greenbrier Valley Biohub.
Don Smith, speaking for the institution, described current enrollment and employment — roughly 310 employees and more than 800 students last year — and said the school is carrying a $13 million deferred-maintenance project on campus. He described the Biohub as an expansion of the science building intended to create lab and partnership space for visiting researchers and to bolster local economic development. He invited commissioners to a groundbreaking ceremony and a two-day forum scheduled for Aug. 20–21 and said federal and state officials and industry partners would attend.
"We'll be putting ads in the local paper, inviting the public up," Don Smith said. He asked commissioners to consider participating in the groundbreaking and to help promote the event to demonstrate the community's support for economic development.
Commissioners thanked the presenters and noted the potential regional benefit from attracting research partnerships and workforce opportunities. The presentation emphasized local hiring, housing needs and plans to use local contractors on campus construction where feasible.
No formal county appropriation or action was taken at the meeting. Commissioners agreed to receive periodic updates; the school offered to return biannually with reports on progress.
