The university joins other Ohio Valley organizations in supporting the new Web site, www.takemehomeohiovalley.com, developed by the Regional Economic Development Partnership (RED) in conjunction with Direct Online Marketing and Verizon West Virginia.

The site highlights employment opportunities of today's Ohio Valley and encourages former local residents to register with the career site so they can be notified if a new opportunity is coming to the area.

It went live June 24 and was announced at a press conference held at West Virginia Northern Community College.

Wheeling area colleges and universities support the new Web site as a way to keep graduates in the region and to offer alumni opportunities to return home.

The focus in on offering high-paying jobs in areas like health care, banking, education, engineering and others.

RED and Verizon have worked closely for the past few years to develop a comprehensive marketing and recruitment plan for the region, according to Kari Mulhern, marketing coordinator at RED. They believe that in today's global, competitive, knowledge-based economy, successful economic expansion, retention and recruitment strategies require collaborative, agile and innovative partnerships.

"We are promoting this West Virginia career Web site heavily to residents and former residents to let them know about positions available here," said Mulhern. "The new career site is more than just a job board or job site. It's a convenient and user-friendly way to learn about area career possibilities to help families and businesses in our community achieve financial security."

RED collaborated with Bethany College, Wheeling Jesuit University, West Liberty College, West Virginia Northern Community College, and West Virginia Business College on workforce development endeavors. The local educational institutions have agreed to promote this site to their current students and alumni.

"the Web site is the kind of outreach that is vital to any company looking to strengthen its workforce by selecting talent from a rich and diverse group of people," said B. Keith Fulton, president of Verizon West Virginia. "This Web site is a win-win solution for both the businesses looking for qualified employees and those in the community looking for jobs. The site will be a boost to West Virginia's economy."

A high level of confidentiality is built into the site, according to RED spokesperson Mulhern. If a user does not want identifying information such as their name or current employer's name to be seen by anyone visiting the site, then this information can be blockes. The Web stie providers also work with local employers to list their job opportunities free of charge.

In fact, there is no charge to use the Web site for job seekers or employers, and the site already has 100 postings. For more information, please contact Mulhern at (304) 232-7722 or kmulhern@redp.org. RED is a division of Ohio Valley Industrial and Business Development Corporation (OVIBDC), a private non-profit serving Ohio, Marshall and Wetzel counties in the Northern Panhandle of the Mountain State.