Dr. Matt Harridge, the newly appointed secretary of the Department of Commerce, appeared before the Joint Committee on Government Finance on Jan. 7 and described his initial priorities in the job. Harridge said he had been in the role about two weeks and is “learning a lot as I go.”

“My overall goals are to make it more effective, more efficient, and … hopeful that we can energize it as well,” Harridge said, adding that there is “a lot of opportunity right now in economic development within the energy sector.” He told the committee he is a native West Virginian and said he looks forward to working with the legislature.

Committee members offered general support and said they looked forward to constructive cooperation. Harridge did not announce specific programs or funding changes during his introductory remarks.

Why it matters: The Department of Commerce coordinates economic development programs and incentives; a new leader who signals interest in energy‑sector development could influence project recruitment and grant priorities in the coming months.