WEIRTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Governor Jim Justice and Cleveland-Cliffs have announced a significant $150 million investment to reopen the recently closed steel plant in Weirton.
This investment is expected to create 600 jobs in Brooke and Hancock counties.
The plant, which was shut down in February, will be repurposed to produce steel for electric grid transformers.
Governor Justice praised the initiative, highlighting the swift action taken to support those affected by the closure and the efforts to position West Virginia as a leader in the production of vital infrastructure components.
“Today is a monumental day for Weirton and the Northern Panhandle,” Governor Justice stated. “We were never going to sit on the sidelines and watch these jobs disappear. After the closure of the facility in February, we mobilized an Economic Development Task Force and a Workforce WV Quick Response Team to support those affected.
“Now, we’ve forged a new deal that positions West Virginia at the forefront of strengthening our nation’s grid. I extend my deepest appreciation to Lourenco Goncalves and the entire Cleveland-Cliffs team for ensuring the continuation of this operation.”
Lourenco Goncalves, Chairman, President, and CEO of Cleveland-Cliffs, highlighted the critical role of distribution transformers in maintaining and expanding the electric grid.
“These transformers are in short supply, and that shortage stifles economic growth across the country. Our vision for Weirton is to develop a center of excellence for transformer manufacturing that will provide good-paying, middle-class jobs to skilled Steelworkers and service our country’s electrical infrastructure needs.”
The total investment includes a $50 million grant from the State of West Virginia, approved by the West Virginia Economic Development Authority.
This support, along with the infrastructure and skilled workforce available in Weirton, underpins the project’s potential for significant growth.
House Speaker Roger Hanshaw and Senate President Craig Blair also expressed their support for the investment.
Governor Justice’s deployment of an Economic Development Task Force and a Workforce WV Quick Response Team following the plant’s closure helped pave the way for this new venture.
These teams worked to attract new business solutions and provide affected workers with training and certification programs.
