Gov. Jim Justice — surrounded by lawmakers, state officials, and representatives of BHE Renewables and Precision Castparts Corp. – signed a bill last year paving the way for the companies to build on the former Century Aluminum site in Ravenswood. (File Photo)

RAVENSWOOD — New life for a long-shuttered aluminum manufacturing site in Ravenswood will mean new life for the region, local officials said.

Last September, BHE Renewables and Precision Castparts — both owned by Berkshire Hathaway — announced the purchase of more than 2,000 acres at the former Century Aluminum site in Jackson County to build a modern titanium melt facility powered by a first-of-its-kind solar energy micro-grid. The project represents a $500 million investment.

“Titanium products from the new PCC facility will be used by the aerospace industry and other customers,” said Alicia Knapp, president and CEO of BHE Renewables at the time of the announcement. “As a Berkshire Hathaway Energy company, I would tell you we are uniquely qualified to deliver this project and we’re excited to be partnering with Precision Castparts and with the State of West Virginia to deliver this project and truly revitalize Jackson County.”

Products made at the former Century Aluminum site would also be used by other Berkshire Hathaway companies, such as PCC’s Timet Facility in Jefferson County, Ohio. Timet builds parts for aircraft, officials said.

Ravenswood Mayor Josh Miller, speaking for himself and not any of the involved parties, said the project is very exciting in terms of what it means to the community and its future.

The micro-grid system, utilizing solar renewables, is going to be one of the first of its kind in the world.

The new operation being right next to Constellium Aluminum will also make the area a hub for the aerospace industry.

“It is going to be one of the leading aerospace locations, if not ‘the’ leading aerospace locations in the world,” Miller said.

The mayor said the permitting process is done and construction is imminent at the site.

“This is something that is going to happen quickly,” he said.

Local officials have been working on infrastructure at the site, including water and sewer.

Miller said the last time something of this magnitude came to the area was when Kaiser set up a manufacturing operation in the mid-20th Century and officials are learning from the challenges that created so they can address things now.

Many people were affected by the shutdown of Century Aluminum at the site in 2009.

Miller had a number of family members impacted by the shutdown of Century who lost their jobs.

“Those were secure and well paying jobs and it devastated this whole area,” he said. “It led to me coming back and wanting to help this city regrow.

“An announcement like this now, we have to start preparing for the next 10, 20, 50 years and even 100 years. It has changed our way of thinking. It is a breath of fresh air for everybody.”

Mark Whitley, executive director of the Jackson County Development Authority, said this will bring about employment opportunities in the area once construction begins and through permanent jobs once the plant is up and running.

“All sectors of our community are very excited, everyone from the school districts to the muncipalities to the city of Ravenswood,” he said. “They are all working together to try to plan for the future opportunities this presents.”

Officials are looking at a wide spectrum of planning projects, Whitley said, adding people are also addressing infrastructure needs and more. “We are looking at how we can take advantage of these opportunities to be even more appealing to folks who will be moving into the area as a result of this happening,” Whitley said.

Miller was told the first phase of the operation, once it was up and running, will include around 200 jobs with an average salary of around $70,000 a year with benefits.

“Everyone who sees that number knows what a big deal that is in this area,” he said.

This announcement coupled with the recent announcement of the NuCor project nearby in Mason County is creating a sense of enthusiasm in the area, officials said. The North Carolina-based steel manufacturer is investing $2.7 billion on a electric arc furnace facility. The project is expected to create as many as 1,000 new construction jobs over two years, with 800 full-time jobs once the furnace is completed.

“This will present more opportunities than we have seen in a number of years,” Whitley said. “Historically, Jackson County has been economically sound. It is even more so now with these opportunities.”

Miller said both projects can have a domino effect on the area that can lead to other opportunities as he thinks this could be the start of a new manufacturing era in the U.S.

“We can lead the way,” he said.

There will be challenges whenever there is growth and success, Whitley said, adding local officials are working to make sure the area is ready.

Miller said the local economy has seen ups and downs, but the county has been able to weather the storm. However, this announcement has brought a lot of hope to the local area.

“It makes us feel a whole lot more secure and it also something to be very proud of,” he said.

Both men continue to credit Constellium as an important part of the community that has helped the county with its employment and contributions to the community.

“Constellium is still one of the largest employers in West Virginia contributing greatly to our community and we don’t want to forget them,” Whitley said.

Officials are looking back at the Kaiser era and what were the challenges then that they can address now, everything from zoning regulations to housing needs .

“We are trying to prepare for long-term growth,” Miller said. “We want the people coming here to work to live here in Ravenswood, Ripley and Jackson County as well as Parkersburg and Wood County.

“It is a very exciting time and we are going to do everything we can to make sure we are ready for all of this.”