West Virginia Governor Unveils New Official State Web Site at http://www.wv.gov

Gov. Joe Manchin III today announced the official launch of the state of West Virginia’s new and improved Web site located at http://www.wv.gov .

This Web site is the first nationwide to offer an education portal designed to improve access to the state’s many education resources. In addition, new features of the site include an innovative design reflecting the wild and wonderful mountain state; enhanced information and online services; live help access; and a new Google search.

The state’s new site is focused on improving access to government services for businesses and citizens in the state. “As governor of West Virginia, one of my top priorities is to simplify how citizens and businesses may interact with government agencies,” said Governor Manchin. “The state’s new service-oriented Web site will save our citizens time and money by finding what they need online rather than waiting in line at a government office.”

The new education support portal is the result of the work of the 21st Century Jobs Cabinet, which was formed in 2006 to focus on promoting a seamless education system that connects every level of education from early childhood to graduate study. It encompasses job training and lifelong learning – enhancing and supporting the state’s job creation and economic development efforts.

“Currently, students, parents and our workforce who are interested in furthering their education have to hunt for information across several Web sites,” said First Lady Gayle Manchin, who serves as co-chair of the 21st Century Jobs Cabinet. “By adding this education feature to the state’s new Web site, it is easier for citizens to locate and utilize the numerous educational offerings available across the state.”

The new Web site was built without using taxpayer dollars by leveraging an innovative public-private partnership between the state and West Virginia Interactive, a subsidiary of eGovernment firm NIC. Additional services are slated to be released in the upcoming months to further streamlining citizen access to government services and saving taxpayer dollars.

About WV.gov

WV.gov is the official Web site of the State of West Virginia ( http://www.wv.gov ) and is the result of an innovative public-private partnership between the state and West Virginia Interactive. West Virginia Interactive works with government agencies to build and manage interactive online services and is a subsidiary of eGovernment firm NIC (NASDAQ: EGOV).

About NIC

NIC manages more eGovernment services than any provider in the world. The company helps government communicate more effectively with citizens and businesses by putting essential services online. NIC provides eGovernment solutions for 2,900 state and local agencies that serve more than 69 million people in the United States. Additional information is available at http://www.nicusa.com .