Gov. Jim Justice signed a bill providing $45 million to Marshall University for its cybersecurity institute.
“Today we’re putting another stake in the sand that will absolutely perpetuate this university beyond good sense,” Justice said during a ceremony today in Huntington.
The funding will go toward a new facility in the 4th Avenue Innovation District of Huntington. There, the building will house state-of-the-art cyber security technology and training programs.
Marshall envisions the facility as a cyber locus, where industry from throughout Appalachia and the country will find training, mentoring and learn the most up-to-date cyber trends.
The funding was allocated by the Legislature during special session earlier this month. Justice signed the bill during a ceremony at Marshall that also included Senate President Craig Blair, House Speaker Roger Hanshaw and others. Also present was the governor’s well-known dog.
“This is just the beginning for a wondrous thing happening here on Marshall University’s campus,” said Marshall’s student body president, Walker Tatum.
Marshall President Brad Smith, former chief executive of Intuit, described a milestone — “a $45 million investment in the future of our children and the future of our state, candidly the future of Appalachia and the United States.”
Smith said the building will amount to 78,000 square feet and 13 advanced labs. “It will train the next generation of cybersecurity experts and help them lead and move into good paying jobs,” Smith said.
Earlier Tuesday, the governor participated in a bill-signing ceremony to provide $12 million in funding for West Virginia volunteer fire departments. The legislation creates a new fund to help support volunteer fire departments in all 55 West Virginia counties.
“It’s another historic day in West Virginia,” Justice said.
Justice appeared at the ceremony at the Point Pleasant Volunteer Fire Department, suggesting that the appropriation is just a start.
“I am telling you that we still do not have a permanent funding source. But I’ve promised you and we’ll find a way to do that without raising taxes,” Justice said.
