NITRO, W.Va. –Employees at West Virginia American Water, both new and experienced, now have the opportunity to receive training in Nitro that includes classroom instruction and hands-on learning.

Company officials, local officials, and community members gathered Friday afternoon for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the company’s new distribution training facility in Nitro.

The facility, located at 135 Main Avenue, features modern classrooms and hands-on training environments in Nitro.

Scott Wyman, president of West Virginia American Water, said the opening was a very proud moment for him.

“Great facility, great timing, great location for us, so very proud,” Wyman said.

The company purchased the building from its previous owners and worked with the city of Nitro to obtain permits and complete construction to refurbish the building.

Wyman said the facility will benefit both current employees and future workers at West Virginia American Water.

“Not only for our employees, but we have some interns coming through the company now, just to show them what happens in the water business, be a great opportunity bring them through here, see the kind of behind the scenes how it works, and see maybe water might be something they want to pursue,” he said.

Nitro city councilman Joe Murphy said he hopes the facility also reaches students at Nitro High School.

“Having companies like this offer training services right near our school is awesome,” Murphy said. “So, I’m hoping they develop a great relationship with the school and there going to go over there and help get the kids down here and get them interested into different trades, so yeah definitely excited about that.”

The safety of the company’s employees is the primary reason for establishing a training facility like this.

However, Scott Wyman said the facility is also intended to help ensure the company provides reliable water service to customers.

“In turn we also get the ability to be a little bit more efficient with our work, make sure it’s done properly, so it lasts longer, it cost a lot of money to invest in water infrastructure so we want to make sure it’s done right the first time, so that all plays into the big picture,” he said.

The company provides water to 14 million customers across 14 states and 18 military installations.

Murphy said it is great to have a facility like this, especially because of its focus on safety.

“Safety and training of any business or entity is vital, so having them invest in the training, and also having them do it here in the City of Nitro, is great for the city of Nitro,” he said.

Wyman said it was amazing to have the support of the city of Nitro because of the relationship they have built over the years.

“Mayor Casebolt, his staff, the city of Nitro in total, wonderful to work with, we not only appreciate for what they helped us get done here, but really more importantly for the partnership that we’ve had with them over the years, whether it was through the water stuff we worked on, whether it was for the water acquisition we just did, didn’t really matter, the city has always been a good partner,” he said.

The Virginia Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.