Gov. Joe Manchin speaks to Putnam Rotarians.

Focus is on U.S. 35, Manchin says

HURRICANE - Building the new U.S. 35 in Putnam and Mason counties is a high priority for West Virginia, Gov. Joe Manchin said Tuesday.

That highway and W.Va. 9 in the Eastern Panhandle top the state's six-year plan for road construction, Manchin said during a meeting of the Putnam County Rotary Club at Sleepy Hollow Golf Club.

"That's where we get the best return on our investment," he said.

Manchin said he considered early versions of the six-year road plan to be "quasi-political," and asked for revisions.

"It came back to me four times that way," he said. "Some of my friends in the political arena were not happy about that."

But the state now is putting "every resource we have to this and [W.Va.] 9," he said. Still, federal funds for highways are scarce, he said.

A 13-mile portion of the under-construction U.S. 35 - which will one day stretch from Henderson in Mason County to Interstate 64 in Putnam County - remains unfunded.

Everyone must come together to find alternative sources of funding, he said.

When he discussed the state's economic development, Manchin told the crowd that Putnam County has led the way in developing a business relationship with Japan. Companies such as Toyota and Nippon Thermostat have located in the county.

Manchin touted West Virginia's budget surplus, saying state officials have "disciplined ourselves" to get the state in financial order since he took office in 2005.

"Every state surrounding us is having budget problems," he said.

His talk also touched on topics including the state's potential in helping solve the national energy problems and the need for preventative healthcare.

The worst thing West Virginians can do is "badmouth" their state, Manchin said. Instead, they must stay optimistic, "take ownership" of their communities and believe in themselves.

"It's all about attitude," he said. "If you don't think you can do something, I guarantee you can't."