Experts Say Location Driving Manufacturing Momentum in West Virginia

picture by: Joselyn King

Native manufacturing leaders participated in an financial panel dialogue Thursday hosted by the Wheeling Space Chamber of Commerce on the Wheeling Island Lodge-On line casino-Racetrack. Pictured from left are moderator Josh Jefferson, president/CEO of the Regional Financial Growth Partnership; Beri Fox, CEO of Marble King; Nathan Lord, president of Shale Crescent U.S.A.; Rebecca McPhail, president of the West Virginia Producers Affiliation; and Joe Eddy, retired president/CEO of Eagle Manufacturing.

WHEELING – Representatives of the manufacturing and power sectors took middle stage Thursday to provide their ideas on the way forward for the nationwide and native economies.

Two panel discussions have been a part of the 2022 Financial Outlook Convention sponsored by the Wheeling Space Chamber of Commerce.

Josh Jefferson, president and CEO of the Regional Financial Growth Partnership, moderated the producers dialogue and famous “there appears to be some momentum” at current with producers wanting to maneuver to West Virginia.

He requested the panel what may be driving companies’ choices to return to the Mountain State.

Beri Fox, CEO of Marble King, mentioned geography performs a task. She defined that through the pandemic, producers got here to appreciate simply how a lot they depend on different producers to get their merchandise. And the supply of things wanted sometimes takes a shorter path to the extra centrally situated West Virginia.

“Along with an aggressive method by the state Financial Growth Workplace, we’ve a business-friendly legislature that works hand-in-glove with financial improvement officers to ensure West Virginia turns into increasingly aggressive for financial improvement and job development,” she mentioned. “The manufacturing trade has been a beneficiary of that.”

In manufacturing, it’s all about “location, location, location,” continued Joe Eddy, retired president/CEO of Eagle Manufacturing.

The “4 Rs” – rivers, rails, roads and assets — are equally vital, he added.

“(West Virginia) is the one place on the planet the place you possibly can construct your manufacturing facility on high of your pure assets, your power, and your uncooked supplies in the midst of the most important market on the planet,” Eddy added.

Nathan Lord, president of Shale Crescent U.S.A, mentioned producers have merely crunched the numbers and decided “they will make more cash in West Virginia.”

“We do manufacturing higher than wherever else on the planet,” he mentioned. “The equation for producers is, are you able to find the place your feedstock is? And might you find the place your prospects are?

“In case you can find in the identical location for each, you’ll have an amazing benefit over your opponents.”

He famous producers in Europe and Asia are also paying 10 to fifteen occasions extra for gas than these within the U.S.

“And within the U.S, it’s even cheaper in West Virginia and Pennsylvania,” he mentioned.

Rebecca McPhail, president of the West Virginia Producers Affiliation, famous through the power producers dialogue that power producers usually are seen as “the unhealthy guys” by the general public. She requested them how they will persuade the general public that America is the proper place to supply power and the ensuing completed items.

“We’re an energy-producing state, and we don’t should apologize for that,” mentioned Charlie Burd, government director of the Gasoline and Oil Affiliation of West Virginia. “The US counts on us on a regular basis to supply pure fuel liquid that will get shipped in several instructions.

“In case you like your cellphone, thank that shale producer on the Mark West facility in Doddridge County.”

Greg Kozera, director of promoting for Shale Crescent U.S.A., mentioned it’s straightforward for these in power to talk with one another.

“We’ve to weigh in to these individuals who could also be much less snug with the thought,” he mentioned. “These are the parents who want the message. Not simply us. We’ve to weigh into issues, and inform the reality.”