Trending
"We are here today, because we are here today, together."
Those words from Form Energy CEO and co-founder Mateo Jaramillo speak volumes about what it takes to bring forward-looking economic development to West Virginia. During Friday's groundbreaking for the company's new facility in Weirton, Jaramillo talked about a project that began with five co-founders and has blossomed into an effort that includes 500 colleagues.
"They are amazingly talented and we have worked incredibly hard developing our product, building our market, to be here today," he said, also thanking the company's investors, customers and suppliers, as well as their families and the communities of which they have become a part.
But Jaramillo also knows the company has the bipartisan support of U.S. Sens. Joe Manchin and Shelley Moore Capito; Gov. Jim Justice; U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm; West Virginia Economic Development Secretary Mitch Carmichael; state Sen. Ryan Weld; state Del. Mark Zatezalo, legislative leaders; and elected officials from Weirton and Hancock County.
Weirton Ward 1 Councilman Tim Connell talked to Granholm about the many generations of his family who had worked in the local steel mills and are now able to witness new growth there.
"It is so moving to be here and be a part of that," Granholm said. "This is just the tip of the iceberg."
It will be, if we can continue to put such a team effort into bringing these exciting new large employers to our region
As Manchin pointed out, bringing this kind of growth to West Virginia is "not political. It's not Democrat or Republican, it's about West Virginia."
The project, which will cover 55 acres in the Frontier Crossing development, land where steel once was made by the Weirton Steel Corp., represents a $760 million investment that is expected to create 750 jobs. The 800,000-square-foot manufacturing facility will produce iron-air batteries, a new technology that will be able to store electricity that can be used for hundreds of hours. Production is scheduled to begin in 2024.
Naturally, the project has attracted some naysayers, politicians who appear to be more interested in earning a few political points than in working to improve the region.
They must remember that they will, eventually, have to answer to the voters.
What is happening in the Northern Panhandle is the result of a strong team working for the region. Because of that, Weirton, and the surrounding area, is able to look forward to a brighter future.
It's a tribute to those who have made the development happen and who continue to set the stage for what is hoped to be more such efforts in the future.