KINGWOOD, W.Va. — The Preston County Economic Development Authority has announced the purchase of the former Spirit Energy site in Hazelton for future economic development.
PCEDA Executive Director Robbie Baylor said the site was the former TAZ Sawmill site that was purchased by Spirit Energy during the pandemic. The 41.8-acre site, including a 15,000-square-foot building, is considered ideal for light to medium manufacturing once some infrastructure improvements are completed.
“We saw the potential for that site for industrial development,” Baylor said. “It’s right along the interstate; it’s already been prepared; it’s flat, but it does need some infrastructure updates.”
The property was acquired through the state Department of Environmental Protection’s Abandoned Mine Lands Economic Revitalization (AMLER) program. The nearly $4 million from the AMLER program will also be used to make the required infrastructure improvements.
“I think we certainly want a company that’s going to come in and create jobs with benefits and above-average wages,” Baylor said.
Efforts are underway now to expand commercial and industrial development and bring good-paying jobs to the community. Strong interstate access gives any potential business lower transportation costs and streamlined access to larger markets, suppliers, and the available workforce.
“We have had quite a bit of interest in the building already,” Baylor said. “We are talking to a couple different companies about some opportunities.”
While recruiting continues, efforts to extend public utilities to the site are ongoing. Sewer capacity on the site will be added, and natural gas access will be added.
“Through the acquisition of the property and the utility development, we received an abandoned mine land reclamation grant,” Baylor said.
Baylor said the 41-acre site is flat, has great access, and once utilities are added, it will be ready to serve as an employment center for the county.
“Through that grant we are going to upgrade the sewer system, which is not at the site now, and natural gas, which is not at the site yet,” Baylor said.