photo by: Joselyn King

West Virginia House Finance Committee Chairman Vernon Criss, R-Wood, left, Weirton City Manager Michael Adams and Brooke County Commissioner A.J. Thomas provide updates on development happening in their communities.

WHEELING — Weirton “is economically on fire,” with development also happening in nearby Brooke and Ohio County, local officials told West Virginia lawmakers Monday.

Weirton City Manager Michael Adams, Brooke County Commissioner A.J. Thomas, and Josh Jefferson, president and CEO of the Regional Economic Development (RED) organization spoke before the West Virginia Legislature’s Joint Standing Committee on Finance Monday at Oglebay Park’s Wilson Lodge. The Legislature has been holding its interim sessions in Wheeling, and these conclude today.

Adams acknowledged Form Energy’s arrival in Hancock County is the focal point of economic development in his area. The manufacturer of large iron-air batteries to power electrical plants has invested $760 million into the project, with the state contributing an additional $215 million and $75 million from the federal government.

When in full operation, Form Energy expects to employ about 750 people.

Adams cited data from West Virginia University suggesting the state’s investment in the project “would be paid off in six years” through tax revenue streams created.

“To quote my kids, Weirton is economically on fire,” he continued. “It’s going to be the tide that rises all of us.”

Adams talked about development on Three Springs Drive, which he described as economically quiet for the past two decades.

“Within the past three or four years, we’ve had a natural change come to that area,” he said.

A Walmart Supercenter, Chipotle, Aldi, Big Lots, Dunkin’ Donuts and a Primanti Brothers restaurant are among about 45 new businesses that now call Three Springs Drive home, according to Adams.

“When you get regional and national chains coming to town, something good is happening,” he explained. “They all trust each other’s demographics.”

Thomas told the lawmakers that over the past decade public investments have increased in neighboring Brooke County.

Among the larger recipients of Brooke County funding have been Brooke Glass in Wellsburg at $687,000 in public funds; Eagle Manufacturing, $535,000; and Diversified Energy in Follansbee, $30 million.

Thomas said return on the government investments is likely “a few years down the road,” but that it was a good use of oil and gas revenue dollars coming into the county.

Jefferson talked about downtown Wheeling’s $32 million Downtown Streetscape project, WVU Medicine’s commitment to building a cancer center on the old Ohio Valley Medical Center campus, and West Liberty University’s partnership with Marshall University to establish an aviation school at WLU.

Jefferson said RED may focus on regional development, but the organization is happy when any development group in the state is successful.

“When there is a success in the state, we should all celebrate,” he told the lawmakers.