West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey, left, shakes hands with PowerFlo Solutions founder Jim Vuksic after the Washington County, Ohio-based company announced a $20 million investment in the old Hino Motors facility in Williamstown to build electrical components for data centers. (Photo by Steven Allen Adams)

WILLIAMSTOWN – Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced that a Washington County company will expand its reach across the Ohio River and breathe new life into the former Hino Motors facility outside of Williamstown to contribute components to the data center industry.

In a press conference Wednesday afternoon in the 240,000-square-foot facility that once built semi-trucks, Morrisey said Reno, Ohio-based PowerFlo Solutions will be using the site to build power distribution units designed for use in data centers.

“They’re going to be working on the critical electrical infrastructure that powers data centers, artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies that are transforming the global economy,” Morrisey said. “As data centers are getting built, you also want to have that strength of the components, the parts that are used for those data centers. This is a good example of that. And that’s why we’re really excited about it.”

The company will invest $20 million in the old Hino Motors facility and is projected to create between 120 and 200 new jobs.

“What we’re trying to do is just keep jobs here, so we don’t have to leave the area to go to work and support a family,” said PowerFlo Solutions founder Jim Vuksic. “I don’t really see a difference between here and across the river. I (happen) to live in Washington County. I worked over here as well. … We have some pretty good ideas on how to take this thing forward and we’re bringing on partners to do it.”

The state facilitated the expansion by making an additional 11-acre parcel available at a discounted price, approximately $75,000, to support future growth.

“Today is another exciting day for West Virginia,” said Department of Commerce Secretary Matt Herridge. “We’re going to welcome today new investment, new manufacturing and new jobs to our state. And none of this happens by accident, folks. It takes leadership, it takes commitment, and it takes competing for every opportunity, and a governor who is determined to make West Virginia the best place in America to invest and to build and grow.”

Since October, West Virginia has secured approximately $13 billion in private sector investment, part of a cumulative $14.4 billion investment portfolio – including federal investments – aimed at creating more than 14,600 jobs. Since taking office in January 2025, Morrisey has been trying to leverage the state’s energy resources to make West Virginia a hub for high-tech manufacturing.

Morrisey emphasized a shift away from “flashy headlines” and “corporate welfare” toward a focus on economic fundamentals, including site readiness, improved infrastructure, growing the number of megawatts of energy produced by the state, improvements in broadband connectivity and workforce development.

Speaking Wednesday, Morrisey said he believes the PowerFlo Solutions manufacturing facility could spur other companies wishing to serve the data center industry to come to West Virginia, where there are several data center projects on the drawing board.

“One of the things you always look at when you’re investing and you’re growing in a particular industry (is) you look at the supply chain logistics,” Morrisey said. “One thing we’re talking about here is if these components are used for advanced manufacturing and technology centers and data centers, that if they’re going to be located here, it helps a lot to have these companies close to where these (components) are being built.”

Lindsey Piersol, executive director of Wood County Economic Development, said she looks forward to the company’s success and growth.

“It’s always a great day when we can activate a vacant building and turn it into quality, well-paying manufacturing jobs,” she said. “We’ve been working with PowerFlo Solutions to find a building for some time, and we’re ecstatic that they have chosen Williamstown as a production site.” 

Steven Allen Adams can be reached at sadams@newsandsentinel.com.