PHOTOS: Capito Makes Economic Development Stops in the Northern Panhandle

NORTHERN PANHANDLE, W.Va. - U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), a leader on the Senate Appropriations Committee, today made several stops in the Northern Panhandle focused on economic development and community revitalization.

First, Senator Capito traveled to Wheeling, W.Va. where she met with representatives from the Regional Economic Development (RED) Partnership group for a working lunch focused on the economic impact of federal funding in RED's three counties. Following the lunch, Senator Capito joined members of the Community Impact Network, Inc. to visit and tour the ongoing construction site of the Newbridge Academy for Kids, a project Senator Capito secured a Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) award for in FY24.

"I enjoyed the chance to sit down with the leaders of RED, who are dedicated to bringing exciting economic development opportunities to our Northern Panhandle. One of the projects we have worked together to establish is the Newbridge Academy for Kids, which will create jobs and provide child care for over 200 children in West Virginia. I look forward to our continued work together in the future," Senator Capito said.

"It was great to host Senator Capito in Wheeling today. We appreciate the opportunity to touch base with her on the projects we're working on that have benefited from federal resources and thank her for being such a strong champion for West Virginia. We look forward to continuing our work together to further economic development in the Wheeling area," Valerie Piko, Regional Economic Development Partnership Program Development Manager, said.

Next, Senator Capito traveled to Wellsburg, W.Va. where she met with community leaders about CDS funding for current and future projects, and discussed how this type of funding can encourage growth in the area.

"I worked to secure funding that invests in commercial and retail revitalization efforts in downtown Wellsburg with the hope that this can attract more investments in the future. It was great to visit the ongoing construction efforts and hear additional ideas from our local leaders," Senator Capito said.

At the end of the day, Senator Capito traveled to Weirton, W.Va. where she visited Form Energy's new facility and received an overview of their product.

"Investing in American energy is vital to the future success of our nation, and efforts like those at Form Energy are playing an important role. It was great to visit the facility today, as construction continues, to hear from leaders about the impact this will create in communities across our Northern Panhandle. By embracing new technological capabilities made possible by Form Energy, West Virginia will continue to be an energy state well into the future," Senator Capito said.

"We are thrilled to have Senator Capito visit Form Factory 1 for a tour and update on our progress. Thanks to the support from Senator Capito and other fantastic federal, state, and local leadership, since breaking ground just last year, we have nearly finished constructing the factory, started installing manufacturing equipment and trialing new manufacturing lines, and have begun building battery cells and ramping up our new Weirton manufacturing workforce. We are extremely grateful for her commitment to reinvesting in American infrastructure and manufacturing through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and for her continued push for commonsense permitting reform to allow new energy resources to be built swiftly and responsibly. Senator Capito is a valued leader in bringing forth a renewed vision of American manufacturing, innovation, and energy security, and we are proud to work together with her to continue to benefit West Virginia," Mateo Jaramillo, Co-founder & CEO of Form Energy, said.

Photos from today's visits are included below:

U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) tours the construction site of Newbridge Academy for Kids in Wheeling, W.Va. on Monday, July 1, 2024.

U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) visits with community leaders in Wellsburg, W.Va. on Monday, July 1, 2024.

U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) tours the construction site of Form Energy's Weirton facility in Weirton, W.Va. on Monday, July 1, 2024.

# # #

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.