File photo DISAPPOINTMENT – This sign, located outside of Gate 13 leading into the former tin mill of Cleveland-Cliffs is among the re

WEIRTON — Days after Cleveland-Cliffs announced it was halting its investment in a planned transformer manufacturing facility in Weirton, area officials continue to react, expressing disbelief and frustration.

Cleveland-Cliffs officials made the announcement Wednesday evening, as part of their report on the company’s first-quarter financial results, noting the loss of more than $450 million during the first three months of the year. The stoppage of the transformer facility plans was joined by the company idling several of its other facilities in Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Michigan, and Illinois.

Cleveland-Cliffs Chairman, President and CEO Lourenco Goncalves visited Weirton last July to announce plans for the transformer facility, which was to include a total investment of $150 million and create approximately 600 jobs.

A portion of that investment – $50 million – was to be provided through an incentive package from the State of West Virginia.

According to Del. Pat McGeehan, R-Hancock, no funds from the incentive package had been disbursed, as Cleveland-Cliffs had not signed a document confirming any collateral for the loan.

McGeehan said that caused him some concern but when he contacted Cleveland-Cliffs officials earlier this year, “I was told everything still was on schedule.”

McGeehan said more recently, he was told the project was being dropped because a prospective partner company had backed out, something he said leaders of Cleveland-Cliffs had assured wouldn’t prevent it from moving forward.

“None of these reasons for them scrapping this project make any sense to me,” he said.

McGeehan said he could “understand economic conditions affecting the plant’s future but not Cleveland-Cliffs’ continued insistence it was on schedule.”

He said the company gave false hope to laid off local steelworkers who could have been among an estimated 600 union workers employed by the transformer plant.

McGeehan said the $50 million allocated for the new plant remains in an account, untouched, and he has asked Gov. Patrick Morrisey to reserve it for other economic development in the Northern Panhandle.

“I don’t know if that’s going to happen, but I think at least a portion of it will be. I’m going to press for that,” he said.

State Sen. Ryan Weld, R-Wellsburg, also maintained the participation of a partner in the transformer project hadn’t been a concern previously for the steelmaker.

Weld said upon hearing news of Cleveland-Cliffs’ decision, “I’m extremely disappointed but not surprised.”

He criticized the company for closing multiple local manufacturing facilities, including the Mountain State Carbon coke plant in Follansbee and indirectly, Trivium Packaging plant, through the termination of a lease agreement for property occupied by the Weirton facility.

Weld said, “That’s their legacy in this area, leaving unemployed workers, closed factories and vacant land.”

He said it’s possible for the former Weirton Steel property eyed for the transformer plant to be developed by others, calling it “some of the most marketable property in the state.”

“The best thing Cleveland-Cliffs can do is sell this property and get out because they have done nothing but hurt this area with their decisions,” he said.

Weirton Mayor Dean Harris noted he was contacted by United Steelworkers Local 2911 President Mark Glyptis shortly before Cleveland-Cliffs made the announcement, saying, while he is disappointed by the news, he also is trying to remain optimistic about the possibility the project could be reinvigorated.

“It’s disappointing, but it’s a project that could resurface,” Harris said. “We’re still optimistic that plant will still come into Weirton. It will just take longer than anticipated.”

Harris has also pointed to opportunity for other potential developments, through both the Half Moon Industrial Park area where the transformer facility was to be located, as well as sites in the north end of the city.

Hancock County Commission President Eron Chek, when asked Thursday, expressed disappointment, but expressed optimism for a chance of growth in many aspects of the economy in the future.

“I am hopeful there will be a better business environment soon, nationally and locally,” she said.

State Del. Jimmy Willis, R-Brooke, said he, too, is hopeful for more opportunity to benefit the community.

“Hopefully they (Cleveland-Cliffs) will be willing to sell the property so another business can come into this area and create jobs,” Willis said. “I look forward to working with companies willing to come to West Virginia and keep their promises.”

Willis said he hopes Cleveland-Cliffs can resolve its financial issues and do better for other communities in which it operates.