×
X logo

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox.

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)

You may opt-out anytime by clicking "unsubscribe" from the newsletter or from your account.

Chinese Plan Is Wonderful News

We West Virginians have had our hopes raised so many times, then seen them dashed, that some may still have their guards up over the announcement Thursday that China will invest $83.7 billion in our state.

Slice it anyway you want, however. Put any spin you desire on it. Come up with all the cynicism you can.

Still, the announcement is the best news we in the Mountain State have received in decades.

Chinese officials plan to be part of the shale gas and chemical manufacturing revolution that already has begun in our area.

It is known that our area probably will enjoy benefits from the Chinese plan soon. Two gas-fired power plants, one in Brooke County and the other in Harrison County, appear to be on Beijing’s agenda. That $1.3 billion investment could begin in as little as six months.

From there, the sky may be the limit. There are all sorts of possibilities — virtually all of them very good — for West Virginia. Ethane storage hubs and cracker plants, along with associated chemical manufacturing facilities, are potential gains for us.

Thursday’s announcement was made in Beijing, as part of President Donald Trump’s visit to China. Investment planned for our state is included in a $250 billion package.

The inside details of how West Virginia landed such an enormous share of that total have yet to be released. There are clues, however.

One of them is that more than a year ago, Trump promised Mountain State residents he would not forget us. Clearly, he did not.

Gov. Jim Justice, who has a personal relationship with Trump, deserves credit.

State Commerce Secretary Woody Thrasher led a team that made the details work for Chinese officials.

West Virginia University played an important role.

So did you and your fellow West Virginians. Rest assured that Chinese officials would not be plowing that much money into our state without believing a hard-working, capable, eager workforce is available here.

Thursday was a big, big day for the Mountain State. The announcement came at a good time, too.

On Thanksgiving Day, we will have much for which to be grateful.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

Starting at $4.73/week.

Subscribe Today