Riley Moore, a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives for West Virginia's 2nd District, visited Weirton, WV, on Wednesday to discuss the ongoing plans for a transformer manufacturing facility in the region. Moore, who was elected in 2022 after serving as West Virginia's state auditor, is a strong advocate for economic growth in his district and has worked to secure state investments for local projects.

The new facility, part of Cleveland-Cliffs' initiative, will be located within one of the company's facilities in the Half Moon Industrial Park. The project is expected to create approximately 600 jobs and is slated to begin operations in 2026, with a $150 million investment.

During his visit, Moore, who previously secured a $50 million state investment to support the project, expressed his optimism for the area's future despite the idling of the Weirton tin mill. He highlighted the potential for economic growth and emphasized that the facility would be "state-of-the-art" and provide high-paying jobs to the community. Moore also pointed out that the new facility could attract additional manufacturers to the region, fostering further industrial growth.

Mark Glyptis, president of USW 2911, expressed gratitude toward Moore for his ongoing support throughout the project and reassured workers that a previous agreement for laid-off employees from the tin mill would ensure their opportunities in the new facility.

Moore also discussed his introduction of the U.S. Reciprocal Trade Act, aimed at improving the U.S.'s ability to address foreign trade barriers. He stated that the bill would create reciprocity in trade agreements, benefiting U.S. manufacturers.

The visit underscored Moore's commitment to revitalizing the local economy and his belief that the new facility will be a catalyst for future growth.

Source: weirtondailytimes.com