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West Virginia is fortunate to have (for now) elected representatives in Washington, D.C., who have not only the experience and connections, but the willingness to find support for projects that will propel our region into a more prosperous, cleaner future.
U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., was in Ravenswood recently for the announcement of more than $100 million for Constellium Ravenswood. U.S. Department of Energy Under Secretary for Infrastructure Senior Advisor Brian Anderson was there, too, in addition to state and community officials.
To be clear, that $100 million includes selection to begin negotiations for up to $75 million for the federally funded Industrial Demonstrations Program. That project would build a much cleaner-burning SmartMelt furnace for manufacturing aluminum products to the site in Ravenswood.
Another $23 million will come from a bipartisan appropriations package passed by Congress to renovate and re-open closed casting units at Constellium.
Other plans for the potential $75 million include a training and wellness center for Constellium's employees and their families, including on-site childcare, as well as reinvesting in the local Ravenswood/Jackson County community, according to Constellium CEO Jean-Marc Germain.
"This area now will be the world's low carbon, green energy, aerospace hub," said state Department of Economic Development Cabinet Secretary Mitch Carmichael. "It just feels so good to be a part of this and to look out and see you workers and know you'll make us so proud ... You will make this plant shine and it will be such a great testament to the workers and the workforce and what's occurring in our county and our state and our nation."
Such investment and innovation will be good for all of us who live along the Ohio River.
The key now is how other communities follow the lead of what's been happening in Ravenswood to help turn their economies around.
Also, how wonderful it would be if more of our elected officials -- not just in Washington, D.C., but in Charleston -- had such a vision.
It's going to take more than nonsense talk to forge a new future.