Gov. Jim Justice announces new development projects at W.Va. Chamber of Commerce meeting
August 28, 2024
West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice was one of several key political figures campaigning at the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce’s annual meeting at the Greenbrier Hotel Wednesday.
Justice, a Republican U.S. Senate candidate used the podium at his family-owned hotel to announce new development projects.
In a speech to state business leaders, Justice discussed three initiatives, the largest being a $135 million investment from Babcock and Wilcox into a Mason County hydrogen production facility.
In addition, the governor announced a $59 million Handcraft Service health care line plant in Berkeley County and with the help from Shark Tank, a $35 million Upshur County Prime 6 plant producing charcoal and wood logs.
While the financial issues of his business empire, including the Greenbrier Hotel, have been a major news item, Justice spoke about saving the state from bankruptcy during his time in office.
“Bankruptcy was tough and we were right on the verge,” he said. “Don’t you think for one second in the whole world that this state was absolutely not bankrupt. Today we’re going like great guns like you can’t possibly imagine.”
Two rivals for Justice’s current job of governor – Attorney General Patrick Morrisey and Huntington Mayor Steve Williams – also spoke.
Morrisey, a Republican, indicated his focus would be to make West Virginia more attractive to surrounding states while Democrat Williams stressed his success in bringing Huntington back from major drug and money problems.
The meeting, dubbed “Uniting Business, Igniting Prosperity,” continues through Sept. 30 at the Greenbrier.
Story by Bob Aaron, WCHS