POINT PLEASANT, W.Va. — Mason County continues to be the big recipient of manufacturing jobs. The coal technology company Frontieras North America is the latest to break ground on a new facility.
The Frontieras site is just down the road from the Nucor West Virginia plant that is past the midpoint of construction.
Mason County Commission President Rick Handley told WMOV Radio at Thursday’s Frontieras groundbreaking that his county is the place to be.
“They’re going to hire some people around here and we’re just looking forward to more people being hired and more people going to work. That’s the thing—jobs, jobs, jobs,” Handley said.
State Senator Eric Tarr, R-Putnam, said a unique time has come to his senatorial district.
“I was talking to them (Frontieras) about how opportune the timing is for them to invest in West Virginia, because it is like a gold rush in District 4 anymore for all the investments coming in across a bunch of different industry sectors,” Tarr said.
Point Pleasant Mayor Amber Tatterson said with the jump in development comes the increasing need for infrastructure improvements. She said the local economic development authority has a plan and now they need to execute it.
“Infrastructure improvements are needed when you’re bringing in this type of industry,” Tatterson told WMOV. “The city itself is seeking some grants to upgrade our infrastructure along with our utilities.”
Handley said the development of Nucor and other businesses has already started to bring former residents back to the area.
“I can tell you quite a few people that are back home wehre had to leave Mason County to find jobs elsewhere, now they are coming back,” Handley said.
Handley and Tatterson both said they are excited about how Nucor, Frontieras and others can provide places to land for students in the Mason County school system.
“Students can hopefully be able to get the skills that they need in our career center and stay right here in Mason County,” Tatterson said.
Handley agreed.
“Those people in colleges taking chemistry, technology classes can come back and be part of Frontieras,” Handley said.
Frontieras uses a process by which coal is cracked and the molecules are used to produce a variety of products.