Gov. Jim Justice made three economic development announcements at the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce’s annual business summit.
“I want to absolutely always, every single last one of us, run through that finish line — run through the finish line,” Justice said as he started making the announcements.
The largest is $126 million investment by Babcock & Wilcox, a global leader in energy and environmental technologies, in Mason County. The investment will focus on the deployment of their BrightLoop low-carbon hydrogen technology, which the company characterizes as a pioneering approach to hydrogen production.
State officials say the development will initially create 28 high-paying jobs, with potential for future expansion as the company continues its innovative efforts in the energy sector.
Next, HandCraft Services, a leading provider of medical linen and apparel products, will be investing $59 million to open a new facility in Berkeley County. State officials say that will result in 220 jobs. The money will go toward the construction of two new plants. Plant 1 is expected to open in 2025 and Plant 2 is slated to open in 2026.
Ward Hackett, distribution manager at at HandCraft, briefly addressed the crowd at the business summit and described the company as a family-owned and -operated business serving more than 140 hospitals from Maryland to South Carolina.
“When we were looking at a location to build a new plant, we looked at a handful of different spots and it became quickly apparent that the Berkeley County area, Martinsburg area of West Virginia was going to be the right spot for us,” Hackett said, describing state economic development officials going the extra mile to recruit.
“And really we’re just excited to get going. We’re going to start moving dirt next week and start washing laundry next year. We’re excited to be a part of the West Virginia community.”
The third business announced for state development is Prime 6, which produces high-performing charcoal and wood logs. The business, which was featured on television’s “Shark Tank,” will establish a new manufacturing facility in Buckhannon. The $35 million investment is expected to create 75 jobs in the region. Prime 6’s new facility is set to begin operations in the coming months, with job openings to be announced soon.
Riki Franco, founder and chief executive at Prime 6, spoke to the West Virginia Chamber gathering via video message. “I’m excited to bring my company to West Virginia,” Franco said.
“When we landed in West Virginia, we realized the team there had a completely different approach to bringing both innovation and being pro-business to make sure companies are successful here in the state.”
Also appearing by video message was businessman and television personality Kevin O’Leary, sometimes called “Mr. Wonderful.” Of Prime 6, he said, “I fell in love with them on ‘Shark Tank.’ It is the classic company that is the essence of entrepreneurship.”
O’Leary said that as Prime 6 expanded, it needed a place to call home. “One great place to do business is West Virginia. Why? Great leadership.
“Jim Justice as governor and the entire team there — I’ve met personally; I flew there myself — they get it. Why? They’ve run businesses. They’ve made payroll before. They know what it takes to do that. These are not politicians. These are leaders.”