Judge Refuses to Stop WVU Tech Move to Beckley

A Kanawha County Circuit Court judge has refused to grant an emergency motion to stop West Virginia University from moving WVU Tech from Montgomery to Beckley. The lawsuit claims the move violates a state law requiring WVU Tech’s headquarters to remain in Montgomery. The Register-Herald reports Judge Louis Bloom on Friday said he did not believe waiting to rule on the legality of the move until a full hearing in May would cause irreparable harm to Montgomery and its residents. Charleston Attorney Jeffery Wakefield represents the Board of Governors. He argued the hearing should be held after the 2016 Legislative session because two bills the Legislature is considering could eliminate the requirement for WVU Tech to be headquartered in Montgomery.