WISE OPENS NEW I-77 WELCOME CENTER

June 14, 2004

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Gov. Bob Wise today joined other state and local officials to officially open the new I-77 Welcome Center.

“Welcome centers are important because more than 90 percent of the people who travel to our state do so by car,” Wise said. “Every day, visitors drive into West Virginia for vacations, for getaways and for business. Every day, they need directions, information or help with reservations. The staff at this center can help.”

Similar to the center on I-68 near the Maryland border, the 74x141 foot building with cut-stone exterior is on a landscaped 7.5-acre site. It features an octagonal display area promoting the artistry of state glass-blowers and a theater area for movies on state tourism destinations. In addition to a vending area, a map display area and an information desk, manned by state tourism personnel, visitors will find a touch-activated computer screen for information about West Virginia. Both men’s and women’s rest rooms include diaper-changing areas.

The center is located just south of Exit 185 at the junction of W.Va. 14 and 31.

West Virginia Division of Tourism • 90 MacCorkle Ave., SW • South Charleston, WV 25303

304-558-2200 or 1-800-CALL-WVA • FAX: 304-558-2459 • www.callwvanews.com