Bryce Custer, one of the leading commercial realtors in the Appalachian Basin, commented on the decision by Jupiter Aluminum to expand in Beech Bottom.
Jupiter’s decision will give a boost to investments along the Ohio River. This move is more evidence that the appeal of the Ohio River Valley and the Appalachian Basin.
Here’s the news.
A major step has been taken to bring manufacturing back to Beech Bottom.
“There was a time when people questioned the future of steel in the Ohio River Valley,” said Pat Ford, executive director of the Business Development Corporation (BDC).
On Monday, it was announced that Illinois-based company Jupiter Aluminum is expanding its operations in Beech Bottom.
The manufacturer is investing money to renovate 140,000 square feet in the Beech Bottom Industrial Park.
The investment is a big deal for those in the village, who were devastated by the closure of the Wheeling Steel Corrugating Plant at the same location years ago.
“Their investment in our town is only going to lead to bigger and better things. There’s a lot of work that’s going to be done on the mill now, so that’ll allow even further economic development in this area,” said Beech Bottom Mayor Becky Uhlly.
The BDC bought the property in 2012.
Right now, two thirds of the plant is occupied by value-added steel companies.
Jupiter Aluminum recycles aluminum scrap into coils for building and construction, and its officials said that they are happy to expand in West Virginia.
“It’s a small community, but it’s a manufacturing community. It’s been a manufacturing community for a long time. The ability to work in shifts, to work in plants – the people here know it,” said Paul-Henri Chevalier, president of Jupiter Aluminum.
The move is poised to benefit the company and the Ohio Valley.
“They’re investing in the building that will allow us to repurpose a third of that building, over 100,000 square feet, for new value-added metals and energy companies that we are currently talking to to locate in that facility,” Ford said.
The BDC has received an EDA grant for $2.6 million.
The grant money will be used for improvements to the inside and outside of the building, in order to attract new businesses in the future.