Regional Focus
COMPILED BY JENNIFER JETT PREZKOP
US Methanol Hosts Groundbreaking for Liberty One Plant
US Methanol representatives and federal, state and county
officials have broken ground on Liberty One, the company’s
first methanol production facility in the U.S.
The Liberty One plant is slated to begin methanol production
in the second half of 2018. When operational, the plant will
produce 200,000 tonnes per year of methanol on the 11-acre
area that sits at the western end of the Institute Plant near Route
25. Liberty One will provide approximately 50 permanent po-
sitions at an average salary of $65,000 plus benefits.
Hawk Knob Named Finalist in National Competition
Hawk Knob Hard Cider and Mead, West Virginia’s first
cidery, has been selected as a first-round winner and finalist
in the national Rural Entrepreneurship Challenge through the
National Farm Bureau.
As a first-round finalist, Hawk Knob competed against 471
other companies to win $15,000, which they received at an
award ceremony in Washington, D.C., in October. They will
now compete for an additional $25,000 in January against the
other three finalists in Nashville, TN.
Toyota to Invest $115.3 Million in West Virginia Plant
Toyota has announced it will invest $115.3 million to add
a hybrid transaxle product line to its facility in Buffalo, WV.
These hybrid transaxles will be the first built outside of Japan.
“Toyota Motors has again made a substantial investment in
our state by bringing this hybrid transaxle manufacturing line
to Putnam County,” says Governor Jim Justice. “West Virginia
men and women excel at their craft, and Toyota clearly recog-
nizes this. We are excited they continue to expand their pro-
duction and workforce here.”
Hines Wins Innovator of the Year Award
Allegheny Science & Technology President and CEO Arria
Hines has been named the winner of the 2017 Innovator of
the Year Award by Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP).
The Innovator of the Year Award recognizes a WIPP member
who has effectively leveraged technology for innovation and
success in business.
“I am very excited to receive the 2017 Innovator of the Year
Award,” says Hines. “I am also very honored to be involved
with an organization that gives women business owners such
a special platform that allows policymakers, experts and the
media to hear what we need to thrive in today’s business world.”
Solvay Technology Solutions to Double Manufacturing
Capacity in Pleasants County
With the assistance of state and local economic develop-
ment agencies, Solvay Technology Solutions has committed to
doubling its manufacturing facility at Willow Island in Pleas-
ants County, WV. The $70 million investment is expected to
create as many as 40 new jobs over the next two to three years.
“We are pleased Solvay concluded that West Virginia is the
best place to expand their operations,” says Commerce Sec-
retary Woody Thrasher. “We know they studied many other
possible sites, and like many other companies, they determined
West Virginia is the right place to do business. “
Simpson Dental Associates Employee Receives Top 25
Women in Dentistry Award
Simpson Dental Associates of Charleston is celebrating its
fourth employee, Jessica Proctor, being selected for the Top 25
Women in Dentistry by Dental Products Report, a major national
dental magazine. Proctor is a Cad Cam expert, implant special-
ist and implant parts expert. Her vast knowledge of Cad Cam
design and manufacturing has made her a leader in her field.
“Having one employee selected to this elite group of women
is quite an honor,” says Dr. Mark Simpson, president of Simpson
Dental Associates. “To have four women selected over the last
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