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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Gov. Joe Manchin today released the latest “Open for Business” report documenting the state’s economic progress. The June 2010 report highlights projects and related announcements from businesses both large and small that will assist with the creation of new jobs and the preservation of existing jobs.
New iron salts plant to be built in Marshall County
PVS Technologies announced that it will construct a facility to produce iron salts at the PPG Chlor-Alkali and Derivatives plant on the Ohio River near Natrium. The new plant is expected to be operational before the end of 2010. PPG will supply services and materials such as chlorine to the PVS plant. Iron salts are used to treat drinking water and wastewater. The PPG Natrium plant employs 525 workers.
New power plant to generate 100 jobs in Monongalia County
The $2 billion Longview Power plant now under construction in Maidsville is expected to create a total of 100 full-time positions by the end of 2010. The positions will support pre-start activities this year and commercial operations in 2011. Positions to be filled include mechanics, operators, technicians, administrative support personnel and supervisors. The 695-MW coal-fired electrical power generating plant will use advanced technology proven to operate with higher combustion and environmental control efficiencies. Once commercial operation begins, Longview is expected to be among the cleanest, most efficient, and most technologically advanced coal-fired power plants in the United States. The power plant is owned by Longview Power LLC, which is owned by GenPower Holdings L.P. For up-to-date information on Longview Power employment opportunities, visit www.longviewpower.com.
MATRIC and Notre Dame University selected for $2.6 million emissions grant
The Mid-Atlantic Technology Research and Innovation Center (MATRIC) and Notre Dame University have been selected to receive a grant worth $2.6 million over three years from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy (ARPA-E). Notre Dame and MATRIC are partnering on the research and development of a novel carbon dioxide capture system that may potentially reduce the cost of controlling greenhouse gases by a factor of 10. MATRIC, which is based in the South Charleston Technology Park, plans to use its labs and large-scale pilot plants as part of the research project. The Department of Energy received 540 applications for the clean-energy grant money. MATRIC was the only West Virginia organization to receive a grant under the program.
Berkeley County firm honored as Employer of the Year 2009
Choice Staffing was honored as “Employer of the Year 2009” at the 55th Annual Awards Dinner of Horizon Goodwill Industries. The award is given to an employer who has demonstrated concern for people with disabilities and other special needs, and has provided opportunities for vocational rehabilitation and employment through Goodwill. Choice Staffing, an employment placement firm, is based in Martinsburg. Goodwill provides or is developing services throughout 17 counties in Maryland, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Virginia.
Putnam County leads marketing mission to Japan
The Putnam County Development Authority and the West Virginia Japan Office participated in a 10-day marketing mission to Japan in May. The mission’s agenda included visits with executives of Toyota, Diamond Electric, Nippon Thermostat and other companies with operations in Putnam County. Also, the team met with companies that are considering possible investment projects in the United States to encourage their consideration of Putnam County and other locations in West Virginia.
Taiwan Ambassador visits West Virginia
Taiwan’s chief representative to the United States, Ambassador Jason Yuan, visited Charleston to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Taiwan-West Virginia relationship. Gov. Joe Manchin and Ambassador Yuan hosted a reception celebrating the occasion and participated in a ribbon cutting ceremony in the West Virginia Culture Center for an exhibition of the works of Taiwan’s prominent photographers.
Development Office promotes state’s industries at expos in U.S. and abroad
The West Virginia Development Office (WVDO) has participated in several major industry events recently.
- Xylexpo, Italy: The West Virginia European Office, in cooperation with the Hardwood Alliance Zone (HAZ), participated in the Xylexpo trade show in Milan, Italy, May 4-8. Representatives of HAZ and the WVEO met with Italian companies interested in expanding their operations into West Virginia and promoted West Virginia hardwood exports to a global audience.
- Biomass Show, U.S.: WVDO exhibited at the Biomass Show in Minneapolis.
- AISTech, U.S.: The WVDO exhibited in AISTech 2010 (Association for Iron & Steel Technology) in Pittsburgh to promote West Virginia as a location for the iron and steel processing and related suppliers. The show included 428 exhibitors and more than 6,500 attendees.
- SAMPE, U.S.: The Development Office participated in SAMPE 2010 in Seattle to promote West Virginia as a location for the composites industry.
WVEDA approves $5.1 million for three business loans
The West Virginia Economic Development Authority (WVEDA) approved loans totaling $5,106,985 for three businesses during its May meeting:
- Family Aluminum LLC; $3,275,000, to finance acquisition of the former Precision Coil Inc. equipment. The start-up manufacturing firm anticipates having up to 52 employees after one year.
- Aluminum Services Inc.; WVDO exhibited at the Biomass Show in Minneapolis.
- Braxton County Development Authority; $131,985, for a partial build-out of the second floor of the Braxton Technology Center. The technology center is located near Flatwoods, Braxton County.
Export recognition awarded to 36 West Virginia firms
Gov. Joe Manchin presented the Governor’s Commendation for International Market Entry to representatives of 36 West Virginia businesses. The award honors companies that have successfully exported to a new country in the past year. The governor’s award is based on the tradition of displaying the first dollar a business earns. The Governor’s Commendation for International Market Entry frames currency from each new country to which the recipient business began exporting in 2009. In 2009, West Virginia exports totaled $4.8 billion. Commendations were handed out to:
- Berkeley County
- DSI Underground Systems, Inc. of Martinsburg; Austria, Russia
- Power-Sonix, Inc. of Martinsburg; Brazil, Jordan
- Braxton County
- GTR Labs, Inc. of Gassaway; Vietnam, Bolivia, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Yemen, Chile, India, Australia, Portugal
- Cabell County
- Guyan International of Barboursville; Chile, Argentina, Kenya, Uruguay
- Rubberlite, Inc. of Huntington; Malaysia, Italy
- Star Technologies, LLC of Huntington; Sweden, France
- Fayette County
- Blue Smoke Salsa of Ansted; Bermuda
- The Robbins Company of Oak Hill; Dominican Republic, Malaysia, Mexico
- Grant County
- Allegheny Wood Products of Petersburg; Hong Kong, Ireland
- Hancock County
- United States Gypsum Company of Weirton; Greece
- Harrison County
- MSES Consultants, Inc. – Corrosion Products Division of Clarksburg; Canada, Mexico, Colombia, United Kingdom, Hong Kong
- Jackson County
- J&M Industrial, Inc. of Millwood; Panama, Guyana, Russia, Lithuania
- Jefferson County
- Schonstedt Instrument Company, Inc. of Kearneysville; Brazil, Portugal, Turkmenistan
- Kanawha County
- ConveyWeigh, LLC of South Charleston; Ecuador, El Salvador, Panama
- Cyclops Industries, Inc. of South Charleston; Singapore, Argentina, The Netherlands
- ICL-IP Clearon Corp. of South Charleston; India
- Preiser Scientific, Inc. of Saint Albans; Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru
- Logan County
- Eastern Mining & Industrial Supply, Inc. of Chapmanville; Australia, China
- Ludowici Innovative, Inc. of Chapmanville; Australia
- Marion County
- Backbone Security of Fairmont; Bangladesh, China, Indonesia, Pakistan, Poland, Serbia, Spain, United Arab Emirates
- Middletown Manufacturing, Inc. of Fairmont; Malaysia, Germany, Saudi Arabia, China
- T&T Pump Company, Inc. of Fairmont; China, Hong Kong, Colombia
- Marshall County
- IMI-Fabi, LLC of Benwood; Russia, India
- Mason County
- ICL-IP America, Inc. of Gallipolis Ferry; Qatar
- Mineral County
- Howell Automotive of Keyser; Ghana, Malawi
- Monongalia County
- Shaft Drillers International of Morgantown; Brazil
- Morgan County
- Pritchard Amps of Berkeley Springs; Australia, France
- Ohio County
- Touchstone Research Laboratory, Ltd of Triadelphia; Japan, Czech Republic, Brazil, United Arab Emirates
- Putnam County
- Clark International Logistics of Poca; Paraguay, Colombia, China, The Netherlands, Ecuador, Lebanon, Cameroon, Turkey, Bolivia, Peru, Tanzania, Philippines, Guyana, Bahamas
- Eagle Research Corporation of Scott Depot; Vietnam
- Raleigh County
- The Gentlemen’s Quarter of Beckley; Brazil, India, Italy, New Zealand, Portugal, Russia, Spain
- Mining Controls of Beckley; Austria, Canada, Mexico, Colombia, Latvia, Indonesia, Australia, Ireland, Germany, Madagascar, Chile, Peru, Israel, United Kingdom, Ukraine, Brunei, Zambia, Ethiopia
- Upshur County
- AFP Logs and Lumber, LLC of Buckhannon; Hong Kong, Portugal, South Korea
- Wood County
- Batteries Direct of Parkersburg; Italy, Argentina, Hong Kong
- Kreinik Manufacturing Company of Parkersburg; Venezuela, Singapore, Russia, Czech Republic
- Rolling Ridge Woods, LLC; Japan
# # #
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 4, 2010
CONTACT:
Jama L. Jarrett, (304) 558-3702
Catherine Zacchi, (304) 957-9340
To receive the Open For Business Report by e-mail each month,
contact catherine.m.zacchi@wv.gov.
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In This Issue
New iron salts plant to be built in Marshall County
New power plant to generate 100 jobs in Monongalia County
MATRIC and Notre Dame University selected for $2.6 million emissions grant
Berkeley County firm honored as Employer of the Year 2009
Putnam County leads marketing mission to Japan
Taiwan Ambassador visits West Virginia
Development Office promotes state’s industries at expos in U.S. and abroad
WVEDA approves $5.1 million for three business loans
Export recognition awarded to 36 West Virginia firms
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