Associated Press Published

Montgomery Votes Against WVU Tech Relocation Agreement

WVU Tech in Montgomery, West Virginia

Montgomery City Council members voted against an agreement that offers economic support from West Virginia University if the city promises not to sue over the relocation for WVU Institute of Technology from Montgomery to Beckley.

The Charleston Mail-Gazette reports the city’s five council members voted against the agreement Tuesday.

Councilman Fred Lockard says his vote was based on fiscal reasons. He says Montgomery has about $1 million in bond debt from a sewer upgrade the city made to accommodate the WVU Institute of Technology. He says if the institute relocates, residents could be left with the debt and the city could go bankrupt.

WVU Senior Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and Public Strategy Rochelle Goodwin says the university will continue to work to reach an agreement.