Smart Investments in the Mountain State Continue to Return Positive Results
From The Governor’s Desk
A weekly column by Gov. Joe Manchin
Charleston, WV (HNN) -- This past week, I had the opportunity to take part in a pair of announcements that reminded me that businesses are taking West Virginia seriously by making smart, long-term business investments here.
The nation’s largest independent natural gas company, Chesapeake Energy Corp. and Italy-based automotive parts producer, Allevard Sogefi, have both established themselves firmly and guided progressive business ventures since locating in West Virginia a few years ago. Both have recently added more depth to their operations by increasing their investments.
Chesapeake just recently opened a regional field office in Jane Lew, W.Va., while Allevard Sogefi committed to building their new automotive fuel filters manufacturing plant at its current site in Prichard, W.Va. Sogefi’s announcement will provide an additional 65 jobs and is an investment totaling $7 million by 2010.
In 2005, I visited Chesapeake Energy’s headquarters in Oklahoma City. As a result of that visit, a partnership between the company and the state of West Virginia has evolved, resulting in good-paying jobs with benefits. Since 2005, the company has made Charleston the site of its Eastern Division headquarters, which will soon include a state-of-the-art facility, based on an eco-friendly design.
Chesapeake employs over 400 West Virginians directly and 3,000 indirectly. Their company’s success has enabled many of our state residents to remain right here at home to pursue their careers.
We have a similar relationship with Sogefi. In 2006, I joined our West Virginia Development Office in traveling to Europe to Sogefi’s headquarters. There, we continued to establish a sound relationship with Sogefi leaders and as a result, they have latched on to West Virginia and gained a solid understanding of what we offer. Since first locating to West Virginia in 2004, Sogefi’s investment in the state has totaled more $25 million at its Prichard operations.
What West Virginia has acquired with the presence of Chesapeake Energy and Sogefi is two economic engines, representing two different industries, originating from two different locations geographically, yet both have been able to find one similarity here in the Mountain State – growth.
These are just two examples of companies that our state has partnered with to offer opportunities for West Virginians. Our state has continued to prove that it is suited to attract business, yield positive returns for willing investors, even during slumps in the national economy. Chesapeake Energy and Allevard Sogefi each have shown faith in West Virginia’s workforce and in return they have gained the commitment of West Virginia. This state will continue to advance by meeting businesses at the table and proving that the Mountain State will be a dependable partner, every step of the way.