FAIRMONT, W.Va. – Governor Patrick Morrisey today announced that West Virginia is officially submitting a state-sponsored response to compete for the United States Space Academy, an opportunity that could bring new jobs, investment, and educational opportunities to the Mountain State.
Watch Governor Morrisey’s remarks here.
“West Virginia helped write the history of America’s space program, and now we have an opportunity to compete for a role in its next chapter,” said Governor Morrisey. “This will be a tough competition, but West Virginia has a strong case to make. We are going to fight for every opportunity that can bring good-paying jobs to our state, grow our economy, and help make West Virginia more affordable for our families.”
President Donald J. Trump established the United States Space Academy through Executive Order 14423 on August 28. NASA’s Office of Strategic Infrastructure subsequently issued a national request seeking potential locations for the new Academy.
NASA is seeking a location capable of welcoming an inaugural class of 300 students in 2028 and breaking ground on a permanent campus no later than 2027. The permanent campus would require at least 300 acres, accommodate 1,200 students by 2031, and have the potential to eventually expand to approximately 4,000 students.
Nearly every higher education institution in West Virginia has joined the effort, creating a statewide network capable of supporting the Academy’s curriculum while a permanent campus is constructed and accredited. Marshall University and West Virginia University’s joint grant resource centers are assisting with the state’s submission ahead of the October 26 deadline.
The state enters the competition amid record economic development. In less than one year, West Virginia secured approximately $96 billion in announced private-sector investment and more than 19,000 projected jobs, approximately nine times the level of announced economic development projects West Virginia had previously seen over a comparable one-year period.
“Economic development has to translate into something real for West Virginia families,” said Governor Morrisey. “That means more good-paying jobs, more opportunities for our kids to build their careers here at home, and a stronger economy that helps us keep taxes low and make West Virginia more affordable. Jobs and affordability are what this is ultimately about.”
“We know that it’s not easy to compete on space issues with states such as Florida or Texas, but West Virginia has our own unique space story to tell,” Morrisey added.
The Governor is encouraging communities across West Virginia with potential sites, concepts, or other assets that could strengthen the state’s submission to participate in the effort.
More information is available at wvspaceacademy.com.