Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.  

Today is Saturday, June 8, 2024.

The WV Waterfall Trail continues to grow with the addition of 3 more waterfalls; download your mobile passport, check in at the falls and earn cool prizes along the way…a unique rail bike tour opens in Clay County, showcasing 12 miles of wild and wonderful WV landscape…and a new manufacturing facility is opening in Wood County, bringing more jobs to #YesWV…on today’s daily304.

#1 – From THE INTER-MOUNTAIN – Gov. Jim Justice has announced that the West Virginia Waterfall has surpassed 75,000 participant check-ins. The popularity of the nation’s first statewide waterfall trail continues to grow, with data showing that visitors from all 50 U.S. states and 41 countries are now joining the fun.

As the summer season kicks off, the Department of Tourism is adding three more falls, bringing the total number of stellar stops along the trail to 43. The three new falls are Clear Fork Rail Trail Waterfall in Raleigh County, White Oak Falls in Mercer County and Devil’s Sawmill in Clay.

The trail continues to receive remarkable participation, as more than 10,000 prizes have been awarded to visitors for their adventuring efforts. Visit wvtourism.com to learn more and get your free West Virginia Waterfall Trail mobile passport.

Read more:

https://www.theintermountain.com/news/communities/2024/05/justice-announces-additions-to-wv-waterfall-trail/

#2 – From LOOTPRESS –  A unique rail bike experience is opening today in Clay County. Rail Explorers has announced the opening of their newest attraction, the Elk River Division, on Saturday, June 8, 2024.

This unique rail bike tour offers a 12-mile round trip journey through the scenic landscapes of Clay County, along the historic Buffalo Creek & Gauley Railroad.

Guests will have the opportunity to explore the rich history of the railroad, which began operations in 1904. Today, visitors can explore the past as they pedal through the woods and clear waters of Buffalo Creek. The tour features many different sights, including a wrecked train car, waterfalls, and tall cliffs.

Read more:

https://www.lootpress.com/new-rail-bike-tour-to-open-in-clay-county/

#3 – From NEWS & SENTINEL – A Japanese company is looking forward to starting its work in West Virginia which many local and state officials said will help foster international relationships and provide a base for future development.

The SOMAR North America Corp. production facility will initially employ 25 people with the potential to grow and expand in the future.

The new facility is located within the Polymer Alliance Zone Industrial Park in Davisville, utilizing the 80,000-square-foot former Pactiv building, which was a plastics recycling facility.

SOMAR has a wide range of products and this location will be used to manufacture an epoxy resin product used in the automotive sector for electric motors, motors for electric vehicles and hybrid cars, officials said.

Read more:

https://www.newsandsentinel.com/news/business/2024/06/state-local-officials-tour-site-of-somar-facility/

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.