(Editorial - Graphic Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection)

International partners have proved to be crucial to any momentum West Virginia’s economy has maintained over the past several decades, and among the most solid has been Toyota Motor North America. This month, the company announced the largest share of investment in its planned expansion of hybrid vehicle manufacturing in the United States will be right here in the Mountain State.

Its Buffalo, W.Va., manufacturing facility is expected to receive a $453 million boost that should create approximately 80 jobs. Other investments in this round will go to Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee and Missouri.

Here, the money will increase the plant’s ability to assemble 4-cylinder hybrid-compatible engines, six-generation hybrid transaxles and rear motor stators, beginning in 2027, according to Toyota.

“Customers are embracing Toyota’s hybrid vehicles, and our U.S. manufacturing teams are gearing up to meet that growing demand,” said Kevin Voelkel, senior vice president of manufacturing operations. “Toyota’s philosophy is to build where we sell, and by adding more American jobs and investing across our U.S. footprint, we continue to stay true to that philosophy.”

It is heartening that Toyota knows the workforce capable of “gearing up” to the necessary degree works in Putnam County.

“We’re proud of our plant’s continued growth and honored to help lead Toyota’s transition into a mobility company,” Alivia Luikart, a Toyota West Virginia team member, said. “Our future is bright, and it’s rewarding to know that our company has faith in our ability and trusts our team to drive Toyota forward.”

Here’s hoping that growth will only continue; and that other large employers will be inspired by how much Toyota trusts West Virginians to get the job done.