Charleston, WV - Gov. Jim Justice today announced that his administration has
entered into an agreement with the China Energy Investment Corporation for them
to invest up to $83.7 billion on a number of shale gas development and chemical
manufacturing projects in West Virginia.
Today’s announcement is the culmination of months of intense
work by the Governor, the Trump Administration, State Commerce Secretary Woody
Thrasher and other members of state government.
Since taking office in January, Gov. Justice directed Sec.
Thrasher to travel to China on two occasions to negotiate on this deal as well
as hosting officials from China in West Virginia twice in recent months.
“I want to thank President Donald Trump, Energy Secretary
Rick Perry, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, State Commerce Secretary Woody
Thrasher, and the many others who have been involved in making this historic
investment in West Virginia become a reality,” said Gov. Justice.
This is a continuation of Gov. Justice’s promise to bring
jobs and prosperity to the Mountain State. It also continues a 10-month winning
streak that includes a rebound in the coal industry, expansion of the Toyota
Manufacturing facility in Putnam County and Hino Motors in Wood County, the establishment
of the West Virginia Great Barrel Company in Greenbrier County, and the
overwhelming approval and passage of the Road Bond Referendum that will create
tens of thousands of new jobs in West Virginia.
“We have had a complete turnaround in West Virginia in 2017.
Just think, we started with a $500 million dollar deficit and now the jobs are
coming back and where there was despair there is now real hope. All of these
things have created a momentum to bring prosperity and goodness to the people
of our state,” Gov. Justice added. “While this is a great day for West Virginia
we truly believe there are thousands of more great days to come.”
A Press Conference has been scheduled for Monday, November 13,
2017, at 11:30 a.m. in the Governor’s Reception Room at the State Capitol to
provide more details on today’s announcement.