photo by: Craig Howell

State Treasurer Larry Pack, right, was in Weirton Monday, meeting with area officials to learn more about the ongoing economic development and the needs of the local communities. Listening is Weirton Area Chamber of Commerce board member George Kondik.

Two months into his time as state treasurer, Larry Pack is making it a point to visit every corner of West Virginia in order to better understand the needs of its people and communities.

Pack, elected to the post in November to succeed now-U.S. Rep. Riley Moore, R-W.Va., was sworn in as West Virginia’s treasurer Jan. 3. Monday’s visit to Weirton was part of an ongoing tour of West Virginia, with an opportunity to meet with local officials and business leaders, see economic development efforts first-hand and learn of plans for the future.

“To do a good job, you have to get around the state,” Pack said during a meeting with members of the Weirton Area Chamber of Commerce’s board of directors at the Lauttamus Event Center.

Earlier in the day, Pack met with representatives of the Business Development Corp. of the Northern Panhandle, and toured WVU Medicine Weirton Medical Center and Form Energy.

A retired businessman with experience in finance and senior living, Pack previously served in the House of Delegates before joining the administration of former governor Jim Justice in 2022 as a senior advisor, and then acting cabinet secretary for the Department of Revenue.

Through those roles, Pack was involved in drafting aspects of the financial incentive package involved in Form Energy coming to West Virginia. Monday’s visit gave him time to see the progress with his own eyes.

“It’s one thing to hear concepts of a project. It’s another to walk the floor,” Pack noted.

While meeting with the local officials, Pack confirmed Nucor Steel still plans to have an operation in the Northern Panhandle, saying his understanding is locations in either Hancock or Brooke counties are being considered. The facility, once constructed, has been proposed for use in loading and offloading materials to be transported on the Ohio River to and from the Nucor mill currently under construction in Mason County.

“I think they want a northern post because it will help them in Mason County,” he said.

Upon questions from those in attendance, he also said he sees continued opportunities for investment in coal, natural gas, and steel in West Virginia under the administration of President Donald Trump, adding during Justice’s time as governor, priorities included job creation, tourism, and infrastructure, and, he believes, Gov. Patrick Morrisey will continue with those goals.

While explaining inflationary costs ate into the funding available for projects through the Roads to Prosperity program, the treasurer said improvements to the state’s roads will continue, adding state officials also continue to look at options for the replacement of the Market Street Bridge connecting West Virginia and Ohio.

“With all the growth that’s going on, it needs to be focused on,” Pack said.