Area development officer reflects on his Canada business trip

WEIRTON -- An area development official has returned from a business mission to the Great White North in an effort to attract more industry to the Ohio Valley.

Patrick Ford, executive director of the Business Development Corp. of the Northern Panhandle, recently was in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, where he was part of a five-person delegation representing West Virginia at the Global Petroleum Show, considered to be North America's leading energy exhibition and conference.

Spending three days -- June 12-14 -- at the conference, Ford said the delegation met with approximately 40 potential prospects, coming away with four strong leads for possible business opportunities in the region, representing a potential $45 million in investments.

Ford said he recognized multiple similarities between that region of Canada and the Ohio Valley, noting types of industries and opportunities for future development.

"They are enjoying, in Alberta, the same opportunities for national and international investment as we are in the Northern Panhandle," Ford said. "It was really exciting to share our ideas and collaborate."

The trip took place at a time when tariff announcements were being made by both the U.S. and Canada, creating concern in the relationship between the two nations. Ford, however, said it didn't freeze any discussions of business.

"It was almost like an ice breaker," Ford said. "It gave us something to talk about."

Ford said he feels the Ohio Valley is primed for opportunity from Canada, and he was able to showcase some of the benefits of doing business in the region, including its geography, population, $35 billion in infrastructure, and proximity to the Ohio River, rail service and the Pittsburgh International Airport.

"We are right in the center of one of the largest natural gas reserves in the world," he said.

Ford also noted he went to the conference, with copies of a marketing magazine, published by The Weirton Daily Times and Herald-Star, listing available properties, testimonials from area officials and information about past and ongoing projects.

"We were able to proudly showcase the assets of the Northern Panhandle to these prospects," Ford said.

Currently, 19 Canadian companies operate in West Virginia, with four in the Northern Panhandle. That includes two companies -- Chrome Deposits and Bidell Gas Compression -- in Weirton.

While in Calgary, Ford said the delegation had the opportunity to meet with the president of Bidell and the chief executive officer of its parent company Total Energy Services Inc., and to learn more about the companies' plans for the future.

"We wanted to take a look at their operation in Calgary," Ford said, explaining it gave the delegation a better idea of what Bidell may have in mind for its Weirton operations. "It was quite impressive."

In addition to Ford, the West Virginia delegation included West Virginia Development Office representatives Todd E. Hooker, deputy director of business and industrial development; Matthew K. Borror, manager of business retention and expansion; Brad Sergent, manager of business development; and Sean D. Hill, special projects manager.

Ford expressed his appreciation to the state officials in allowing him to be a part of this latest business mission.

"Our relationship with them has been instrumental in developing all of our international leads," Ford said.