Public Advocacy Landscape in 2021

Promoting and Advancing Petroleum Marketing, Retail Grocery, and Convenience Stores in West Virginia

Driving Local Business and Community Growth Across West Virginia

Our Purpose and Commitment

OMEGA is a West Virginia-based organization dedicated to supporting and advancing the business interests of the state’s petroleum marketing, retail grocery, and convenience store industries.

As a network of over 225 locally owned businesses, OMEGA actively promotes cooperation, advocates for favorable legislation, and provides education and resources to its members. With over 50,000 employees, OMEGA members significantly contribute to the state’s economy, generating more than 10% of all state taxes and supporting local communities through scholarships, charitable donations, and civic involvement.

OMEGA is committed to fostering industry growth while serving West Virginians with essential services like fuel, food, and convenience.

who frontpage

member frontpage

Join a Community that Champions, Connects, and Elevates!

Your Essential Connection in West Virginia

OMEGA offers three types of membership: Convenience Store Members, Petroleum Marketer Members, and Grocer Members, all of which play a vital role in providing fuel, food, and essentials across West Virginia. As a liaison with state and national agencies, OMEGA works closely with organizations like NACS, PMAA, FMI, and the N.G.A. to advocate on behalf of its members.

We keep members informed through newsletters, legislative updates, an online resource hub, and educational seminars. Additional member benefits include access to the Encova Workers’ Compensation Discount Program and participation in our annual Trade Expo and fundraising efforts for children’s charities. OMEGA is here to support, advocate, and enhance the success of our industry members.

While 2020 has presented a once in a lifetime challenge for the food industry, FMI’s public policy team in conjunction with our members, state association leaders and others in the industry have been able to tap into experience and connections to ensure that our members are able to keep the essential supply of food and household supplies available, safe, and affordable. We have compiled many of the 2020 accomplishments into our End of Year report, with the caveat that much work is still ongoing.

<p>By: Jennifer Hatcher, Chief Public Policy Officer, Senior Vice President, Government and Public Affair, FMI </p> <p><img src="https://www.fmi.org/images/default-source/blog-images/looking-back-moving-forward.tmb-large-350-.png?sfvrsn=9662af21_1" data-displaymode="Thumbnail" alt="Looking Back Moving Forward" title="Looking Back Moving Forward" style="float: right; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px;" />While 2020 has presented a once in a lifetime challenge for the food industry, FMI’s public policy team in conjunction with our members, state association leaders and others in the industry have been able to tap into experience and connections to ensure that our members are able to keep the essential supply of food and household supplies available, safe, and affordable.</p> <p>We have compiled many of the 2020 accomplishments into our <a href="https://www.fmi.org/docs/default-source/gr/fmi-2020-government-relations-report.pdf?sfvrsn=a39a444d_2" title="FMI 2020 Government Relations Report">FMI 2020 Government Relations Report</a>, with the caveat that much work is still ongoing.</p> <h5><strong>1. Ongoing COVID-19 Work </strong></h5> <p>FMI will continue our efforts as we prepare for the impact of caseload spikes and a transition in government leadership in the White House and in several congressional committees. FMI continues to host weekly COVID-19 government affairs calls until something more frequent is needed.</p> <h5><strong>2. Liability Relief</strong></h5> <p>We are working not only federally, but also with a number of states either on legislation or executive orders. FMI does not believe our economy, schools or health system can return to normal without it.</p> <h5><strong>3. Vaccines and Pharmacy</strong></h5> <p>There is nothing like the effort our <a href="https://www.fmi.org/industry-topics/pharmacy">supermarket pharmacy</a> members are going through or preparing for to get Americans vaccinated quickly with different types of vaccines and most with multiple doses that must be administered during different windows of time. We are so appreciative for the help of our pharmacy leads in helping us design appropriate advocacy. </p> <h5><strong>4. Importance of SNAP and Feeding Assistance </strong></h5> <p>Certainly, SNAP and feeding programs are an area that gets daily attention and that will continue. Increasing our retailers’ ability to adopt online SNAP and Pandemic EBT are top of mind now as well as emergency allocations, litigation and waivers and other maneuvers that may be necessary over the months ahead. </p> <p>While we do not anticipate discussions moving much past COVID-19 and the economic recovery over the next few months, FMI’s government affairs team is working now on initiatives for the future and intend to engage on infrastructure, <a href="http://www.agclimatealliance.com">incentive-based climate change initiatives</a>, <a href="https://www.fmi.org/industry-topics/corporate-social-responsibility/sustainability">sustainability/recycling</a>, <a href="https://www.fmi.org/industry-topics/pharmacy">PBM reform/DIR fees</a>, <a href="https://www.fmi.org/industry-topics/payments">interchange fees</a> – particularly with the increase in online and mobile payments - and any<a href="https://www.fmi.org/industry-topics/tax-reform"> tax</a> legislation that is contemplated.</p> <p>While 2020 has been an extraordinary year, your FMI team continues to work each day with all levels and branches of government to help your teams ensure the availability of an abundant, safe, affordable supply of food and household items during this challenging time.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.fmi.org/government-affairs/priority-issues" class="button">FMI Government Affairs</a> </p>

Read full article on FMI

Menus

Some of the main menus of the template are now set via the template parameters saving you having to set up menu modules for each menu. From this section you can choose what menus you would like connected with these pre assigned menu areas of the template.

Copyright Information

Enter the copyright information that will appear in the footer area of your template.

Supporting West Virginia Communities

OMEGA members play a vital role in West Virginia, supporting communities through substantial tax contributions and a wide-reaching presence across the state. With over 55% of the population living in border counties, our members are dedicated to serving both local and regional needs. Beyond business, we’re proud to give back, having contributed over $3.1 million to children’s charities since 2003, reflecting our commitment to making a positive difference.