CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- State Senate President Earl Ray Tomblin's gubernatorial campaign on Wednesday defended the use of tax credits and other incentives to attract businesses to West Virginia -- and noted that the company founded by Republican challenger Bill Maloney was lured out-of-state by such incentives.

"The danger of Maloney's stance to economic development is clear in the actions of his former company -- Shaft Drillers International -- that relocated to Pennsylvania when Gov. Ed Rendell offered them tax incentives to move," Tomblin campaign spokesman Chris Stadelman said.

This summer, Shaft Drillers moved its headquarters and more than 100 employees from Morgantown to a business park in nearby Greene County, Pa., after receiving more than $2.1 million in incentives from Pennsylvania.

During the campaign, Maloney -- who sold his interest in the mine drilling company in 2006 -- has said he opposes using tax credits and incentives to recruit businesses, saying it amounts to the state "picking and choosing winners and losers."

Tomblin, in a campaign statement Wednesday, said incentives have helped West Virginia attract major business investments to the state, including the Toyota engine plant in Putnam County and the Macy's distribution center in Berkeley County.

"Tax and job-training incentives have been a key part of bringing companies such as Toyota, Cabela's, Amazon and Macy's to West Virginia," said Tomblin, who is acting as governor. "I'm proud to have played a part in creating those jobs by lowering business taxes and supporting competitive incentive programs, but Bill Maloney would eliminate those programs, which would make it virtually impossible for West Virginia to compete with other states."

Maloney campaign spokeswoman Michelle Yi said it is not surprising Tomblin favors what she called giveaways to large corporations.

"Of course Earl Ray wants to carve out giveaways to special interests. He's been doing that his entire career," she said. "Instead of handing out tax breaks to insiders, Bill Maloney would cut taxes for everybody. That's the right thing to do."

Tomblin said eliminating economic development tools such as incentives and job-training packages would "make us economy killers."

Also Wednesday, Tomblin picked up an endorsement from the Charleston Regional Chamber of Commerce.

The chamber -- which said in its release that it "speaks out for the policies and reforms that help create jobs, promote government efficiency, stimulate growth for communities and enhance the overall quality of life for West Virginians" -- picked Tomblin because his "vast experience in government and private business makes him an ideal choice to lead our state," said Chamber Chairman Mike Basile.

Tomblin and Maloney are the two major party candidates in the Oct. 4 special election, along with three third-party or independent candidates also on the ballot.

Reach Phil Kabler at ph...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-1220.