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West Virginia just finished a productive legislative session that saw a fix for the state's Public Employees Insurance Agency, a much-needed restructuring of the state's Department of Health and Human Resources and, most importantly, a $760 million tax cut that will see more of your hard-earned money stay in your pocket.
Another highlight came when lawmakers looked to how they could partner with Form Energy on a new battery manufacturing plant in Weirton that could create 750 jobs and return life to a large portion of the former Weirton Steel property.
Providing hundreds of millions of state dollars to Form Energy -- state taxpayers will put forth nearly half the company's $760 million total investment -- led to much discussion during the session, with Delegate Pat McGeehan, R-Hancock, questioning the investment due to what he saw as concerns with Form Energy's investors and also its renewable energy focus. McGeehan also recently questioned whether Form had any investments in the failed SVB Bank.
This has led state Sen. Ryan Weld, R-Brooke, to ask why McGeehan or any other lawmaker would question any new development in the state -- particularly one that's been vetted as well as Form.
"The people of Weirton, the people who are going to benefit from this, they are extremely excited about this prospect, and they are extremely excited for the people of Form to come to town and establish their business there," Weld said. "That sometimes gets lost in all of this debate. …"
He's right. Whether you agree or disagree with how Form is being funded, lawmakers voted overwhelmingly to move on this project. That can't be forgotten.
But McGeehan does have a right to ask questions -- and the question he posed to Form on SVB Bank does seem appropriate, given the state's commitment to the project. However, at some point, we need to welcome this company our region with open arms, as West Virginians always do.