Bayer to expand at Institute plant

Bayer Crop Science is increasing production capacity at its Institute plant to meet a growing demand for its Larvin insecticide.

Site leader Nick Crosby says the company plants to hire 24 workers and invest about $3.5 million in one of the plant's two units that make Larvin.

Crosby says Larvin has found a new market niche since the company reformulated it and began marketing it as a seed-treatment product.

Bayer historically has operated one unit for six months, shut it down and then operated the other one. The company now plans to operate both units all year.

Crosby says the changes will boost overall capacity by about 40 percent.

Ex-WVU provost Lang to be 'Brains' fundraiser

Former West Virginia University Provost Gerald Lang, who resigned in the wake of the Heather Bresch scandal, will earn more than $200,000 a year as a fundraiser for the school's "Bucks for Brains" campaign.

Lang will earn $206,580 recruiting donors for the research endowment program, WVU spokeswoman Becky Lofstead said Wednesday.

Lang resigned as WVU's chief academic officer June 30. An investigative panel found that he and former business school dean Stephen Sears were most at fault in the decision to award Bresch, Gov. Joe Manchin's daughter, a degree she didn't earn.

Lang had previously planned to teach, but will now take a professional leave of absence this fall, Lofstead said. Beginning in the spring of 2009, he "will work exclusively on [the Bucks for Brains] project."

Thai House to open bakery in Winfield

The Thai House in Dunbar is opening a bakery and coffee shop in Winfield.

The Thai House Restaurant Bakery and Coffee Shop, located at 3361 Winfield Road across the street from the Putnam County Court House, is scheduled to open Sept. 1.

Bayer Crop Science is increasing production capacity at its Institute plant to meet a growing demand for its Larvin insecticide.

Site leader Nick Crosby says the company plants to hire 24 workers and invest about $3.5 million in one of the plant's two units that make Larvin.

Crosby says Larvin has found a new market niche since the company reformulated it and began marketing it as a seed-treatment product.

Bayer historically has operated one unit for six months, shut it down and then operated the other one. The company now plans to operate both units all year.

Crosby says the changes will boost overall capacity by about 40 percent.

Ex-WVU provost Lang to be 'Brains' fundraiser

Former West Virginia University Provost Gerald Lang, who resigned in the wake of the Heather Bresch scandal, will earn more than $200,000 a year as a fundraiser for the school's "Bucks for Brains" campaign.

Lang will earn $206,580 recruiting donors for the research endowment program, WVU spokeswoman Becky Lofstead said Wednesday.

Lang resigned as WVU's chief academic officer June 30. An investigative panel found that he and former business school dean Stephen Sears were most at fault in the decision to award Bresch, Gov. Joe Manchin's daughter, a degree she didn't earn.

Lang had previously planned to teach, but will now take a professional leave of absence this fall, Lofstead said. Beginning in the spring of 2009, he "will work exclusively on [the Bucks for Brains] project."

Thai House to open bakery in Winfield

The Thai House in Dunbar is opening a bakery and coffee shop in Winfield.

The Thai House Restaurant Bakery and Coffee Shop, located at 3361 Winfield Road across the street from the Putnam County Court House, is scheduled to open Sept. 1.

The shop will open in the General's Quarters Family Restaurant's former location.

Small business startup workshop set for Aug. 13

The West Virginia Small Business Development Center will offer a small business startup workshop from 1 to 4 p.m. on Aug. 13 at West Virginia State Community and Technical College, Cole Complex, Room 112, Institute.

Kevin Twohig, center manager, and Lisa Gasper, business analyst, will conduct the workshop.

Participants will receive the book "Going into Business in West Virginia."

Pre-registration is required at least seven days in advance. Class size is limited to 15; five minimum.

In case of cancellation, workshop will be rescheduled. The fee is $29.

To register, visit www.sbdcwv.org and click on Training and Workshop Calendar or call Dreama Wolfingbarger at (304) 558-2960. Payment may be made at the door.

Stock sale might fund Massey's legal costs

Coal mine operator Massey Energy may use a big chunk of the $850 million it plans to raise in stock and debt offerings to pay legal costs.

In documents filed Wednesday with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Massey listed paying a $220 million judgment awarded to Wheeling Pittsburgh Steel in July 2007 as one potential use for the money. Barring a successful appeal, Massey says it owes about $217 million after figuring in a $50 million appeal bond and $47 million in interest.

Massey said proceeds also will go toward repurchasing $335 million in notes.

Richmond, Va.-based Massey is the nation's fourth-largest coal producer by revenue and operates mines in West Virginia, Kentucky and Virginia.

From staff, wire reports