CHARLESTON, WV – The West Virginia Economic Development Authority (WVEDA) Board of Directors has appointed Kristian Warner, Sr., as Executive Director.
“This is someone who has dedicated his entire career to making West Virginia a wonderful place to live, work and play,” said Gov. Jim Justice. “Without a doubt, Mr. Warner is the person for this important role. He has been trusted with making vital decisions to ensure our great state is prosperous in even the most rural of places and he will continue to make those decisions as the EDA’s Executive Director. Congratulations, Kris.”
Warner also served as State Director for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development, a position he was appointed to by President Trump in 2017. USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. In this position, last year alone, Warner grew investment to over $469 million, provided water and/or wastewater service to over 18,478 customers, created and/or retained 659 jobs by working with 497 businesses, invested over $23 million in rural community facilities, provided housing assistance to over 5,800 families, and attracted over $50 million to expand broadband in rural West Virginia.
“Kris Warner has more than 30 years of experience in community development and as an entrepreneur in business and real estate,” said West Virginia Department of Economic Development Secretary Mitch Carmichael. “He has spent his career working with the public and private sectors to improve our communities, building a strong economy in our state, and he will be a great leader for the WVEDA.”
The WVEDA was formed in 1962 as a public corporation and government instrumentality under Chapter 31, Article 15, of the West Virginia Code (the Act). WVEDA is administered by a nine-member Board of Directors comprised of the Governor, Tax Commissioner and seven at-large members appointed by the Governor.
Under the Act, WVEDA is charged with the responsibility to develop and advance the business prosperity and economic welfare of the State of West Virginia, by providing financial assistance in the form of loans and direct financing and operating leases to industrial development agencies and enterprises for the promotion and retention of new and existing commercial and industrial development.
For more information about WVEDA, visit EDA.wv.gov.