Gov. Jim Justice, at right, handed a pen used to sign House Bill 2882 to Weirton Mayor Harold “Bubba” Miller on Friday, while Form Energy CEO Mateo Jaramillo watched. HB 2882 provides $105 million toward Form Energy’s plans to construct a battery manufacturing facility in Weirton. (Photo by Craig Howell)

WEIRTON — In the shadow of what once was the open hearth of the former Weirton Steel Corp., Gov. Jim Justice signed a bill Friday afternoon which promises new opportunities, both for the property and the community of Weirton.

Justice, joined by officials from Form Energy, local legislators, representatives of Weirton’s municipal administration, the county commissions of Hancock and Brooke counties, and his English bulldog, Babydog, signed House Bill 2882, through which $105 million in surplus tax dollars will be appropriated to the state Department of Economic Development and to be put toward Form Energy’s plans to construct a new iron-air battery manufacturing facility on 55 acres within the Frontier Crossing development.

“There’s been lots and lots and lots of people who have put in a lot of licks to make this become a reality,” Justice said, reflecting on the contributions of generations of steelworkers to the Ohio Valley and the nation, but also looking forward to the future opportunities to be brought by the new manufacturer.

“I know your pride and love for your history has not changed,” he said. “Today, we are landmarking a new day to where this community will thrive beyond belief.”

Noting the state’s history in coal, steel and other heavy industries, Justice said West Virginia can continue to hold firm with its traditional economy, but shouldn’t turn its back on new opportunities, diversifying its economy and being willing to embrace new technologies.

Gov. Jim Justice, at right, signed House Bill 2882, dedicating $105 million toward a planned project by Form Energy to construct a battery manufacturing facility on property once owned by Weirton Steel. Form Energy CEO Mateo Jaramillo, at left, looked on. (Photo by Craig Howell)

“This technology here is unbelievable,” Justice said. “That’s all there is to it. It’s our job to embrace and it’s our job to move forward in every way.”

Form Energy’s proprietary iron-air batteries are designed to store energy created by the wind and solar power industry. The batteries contain iron pellets that rust, creating oxygen which then reverts the rust back to iron, allowing the batteries to charge and discharge. The batteries can store electricity for 100 hours allowing reinforcement and reliability to the nation’s power supply.

Company officials have noted plans call for a total investment of $760 million into the site, and the eventual creation of 750 jobs.

Weirton was selected from a slate of 500 locations across 16 states.

“We are honored to pick up the legacy of this location, this historic location, and carry forward the tradition of manufacturing on this phenomenal site,” Form Energy CEO Mateo Jaramillo said. “We’re not going to cede our ground on energy to anybody in the world, and we’re going to manufacture in the United States again.”

He pointed to the site, with its manufacturing history and infrastructure as major selling points, saying the area is “ready to bloom again,” as well as the people of the community as making the decision to locate in Weirton an easy one.

“The motto of the town of Weirton is ‘Success in Unity.’ That’s how we see this project going forward. We’re going to be together. We’re going to have our roots deep here in the town, deep here in the region, deep here in the state. We’re committed to the long haul. We’ll give every last breath we have to the success of this facility.”

Jaramillo, following the bill signing, explained earth moving for the project will begin almost immediately, with advertisements seeking some early hirings already underway.

“We expect to be producing within two years,” he said.

Among those on stage with the governor and Jaramillo were Weirton Mayor Harold Miller, Del. Mark Zatezalo, state Sen. Ryan Weld and state Sen. Laura Wakim Chapman.

Zatezalo, R-Hancock, reflected on some of his own personal connections to the site.

“My grandfather poured steel on the open hearth floor, right here where we stand. My father, in true American dream fashion, became the superintendent of the open hearth,” Zatezalo said. “Now, I come full circle, to start the regeneration of Weirton right at that spot. It’s just a big day for me.”

Weld, recalling comments he made on the Senate floor concerning the funding through HB 2882, noting future generations of Weirtonians will be able to look back at the community’s past, but also toward its future, with pride.

“I think that starts today. This is the mark of the beginning of the revitalization of what we see here today,” Weld said.

Weld, who grew up in Weirton, pointed to the importance for him of having the opportunity to fly back to the Ohio Valley from Charleston with the governor to witness the bill being signed

“I can’t even put it into words,” he said.

In addition to the $105 million provided through HB 2882, the state previously announced an appropriation of $75 million. An additional $110 million has been promised by the state once the project has been completed. Form Energy has put forward $350 million of its own for the project.