The Eastern Panhandle outperforms other regions of West Virginia, but what does its future look like?

West Virginia University economists will present the latest updates on the regions economic performance at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 5, at the Martinsburg Holiday Inn. The conference is free and open to the public.

Henry Kayes, president of Centra Bank, will open the Eastern Panhandle Economic Outlook Conference. George Hammond, director of the West Virginia Economic Outlook Project, will examine the outlook for the region, including job trends, income and population.

A panel discussion with leaders of the regions industries and businesses will follow. Panelists are Tom Witt, director of the WVU Bureau of Business and Economic Research and moderator; Ken Lowe, president of Ken Lowe Management Co.; David Levine, executive chairman of Butterfly.net Inc.; and David DeMille, vice president of manufacturing for ESSROC .

Jay Coats, dean of the college, will give closing remarks.

The free conference is sponsored by the WVU Bureau of Business and Economic Research in the College of Business and Economics and Centra Bank. The event is co-sponsored by Gateway New Economy Council, Region VII Workforce Investment Board, and the economic development authorities of Berkeley, Jefferson and Morgan counties. Additional underwriting support is offered from The McLaughlin Economic Outlook Fund.

For more information, call 304-293-7831 or e-mail patricia.bohom@mail.wvu.edu