FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Saturday, December 24, 2022
CONTACT: Jordan Damron, [email protected]
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West Virginia Week In Review
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Gov. Justice announced Thursday that Form Energy, Inc. (Form Energy) will partner with the State of West Virginia to build its first iron-air battery manufacturing facility on 55 acres of property in the northern panhandle of West Virginia, along the Ohio River, in the city of Weirton. The new battery manufacturing plant is expected to create a minimum of 750 new full-time jobs and will represent a total investment of up to $760 million.
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At an event Tuesday announcing the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources new K-9 Program, Gov. Justice made a surprise announcement of a $6,000 pay raise for all WVDNR Police officers. The wage increase will take effect immediately and will apply to all active WVDNR Police officers and new hires going forward. It will be paid for through an already-funded special revenue account.
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On Thursday, Gov. Justice declared a State of Emergency for all 55 West Virginia counties due to the winter storm event forecast to hit the state. The National Weather Service predicted heavy snow, freezing rains, dangerous wind chills, and strong winds beginning, Thursday, December 22, 2022, continuing throughout the week and into the coming holiday weekend.
Gov. Justice also issued an updated proclamation declaring Friday, Dec. 23, 2022, as a full-day state holiday for public employees.
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Gov. Justice on Tuesday announced the launch of a new K-9 program for the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Section. During a ceremony at the State Culture Center in Charleston, Gov. Justice and WVDNR officials introduced the program and its six canines. Each of the WVDNR’s six districts will receive one K9, which will be utilized for search and rescue and human tracking, article searches and wildlife detection and evidence recovery. The dogs, which are German short and wire haired pointers and labrador retrievers, are trained in search and rescue.
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The West Virginia National Guard has coordinated with the Office of First Lady Cathy Justice and Communities In Schools (CIS) to help staff the organization for pickup and delivery of 8,000 Christmas gifts for CIS Case Managed Students in 36 counties across West Virginia.
“This is the second year that we have done this initiative, and it has been personally rewarding for everyone that has volunteered,” First Lady Justice said. “The Governor and I sincerely thank everyone involved, especially WVNG Adjutant General William Crane and Senior Master Sgt. Brandon Layman.”
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A memorable day on the job site of one of Gov. Justice's Roads to Prosperity projects, the main span of the old Donald M. Legg Memorial Bridge was lowered onto a barge for removal today, December 21, 2022. The section was lowered using strand jacks, the same method used to raise the Nitro WWI Memorial Bridge main span. It was lowered onto barges and transferred for recycling. Following the dismantling of the old Donald M Legg Memorial bridge, a new one will be constructed in its place to carry eastbound traffic.
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One of the most significant projects in Gov. Justice’s Roads to Prosperity program is coming to the finish line. Motorists using Interstate 70 in the Wheeling area should expect to see orange barrels begin to disappear as work on the $215 million I-70 Bridges Project comes to a close. Minor work still needs to be completed on the project including painting and concrete repairs which will occur below the bridges. Once the project is completely finished, Gov. Justice and DOT leadership will hold a public ribbon-cutting ceremony to commemorate the completion.
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