The company initially announced its intention to build its first factory on a 1,024-acre former strip mine in the Upper Kanawha Valley in 2016 . Delays in the environmental remediation of the site and political opposition to ammunition production created some roadblocks for the team , but Pearlson did not waver from Ranger ’ s commitment to the Mountain State . Before the 2016 announcement , the duo extensively researched several states before selecting West Virginia as the company ’ s home .
During Ranger ’ s exploration of potential sites in Alabama , Kentucky , North Carolina , Tennessee and Texas , offers from these states ranged from significant tax incentives and grants of land to loans , direct investment and rebates on income taxes paid by employees . West Virginia declined to compete . However , the Ranger team ’ s assessment of each region was not solely monetary .
“ The needs of employees and the communities in which we engage are a key part of the equation ,” says Pearlson . “ In the Upper Kanawha Valley of West Virginia , Ranger found an excellent site for purpose-built facilities , a workforce ready and willing to work and a deep sense of community . We can have a tremendous positive impact here . In the end , West Virginians , not the government , won us over . There is no better place on Earth to find good-natured , hard-working and enthusiastic people to help build a world-class operation . Texas doesn ’ t need it , Kentucky could use it , but West Virginia ’ s Kanawha Valley deserves it .”
While the stall in breaking ground may have caused other business-minded people to look elsewhere , Pearlson decided that in addition to proceeding with the development of Ranger ’ s original mountaintop manufacturing site in Quincy , he would also acquire the former high school building in the city of Montgomery , which will serve as the company ’ s first factory and later as its secondary site .
Kanawha County Commission President Kent Carper has been working with the Ranger Scientific team since 2016 . While some people discounted the idea that this type of manufacturing facility could be successful in West Virginia , Carper has been a vocal supporter .
“ Everybody is so busy looking at what was done 50 years ago instead of what needs to be done for the next 50 years ,” says Carper . “ Anyone who knows anything about venture capitalism
“ There is no better place on Earth to find good-natured , hardworking and enthusiastic people to help build a world-class operation . Texas doesn ’ t need it , Kentucky could use it , but West Virginia ’ s Kanawha Valley deserves it .”
and entrepreneurship knows it is always a risk . This project will create jobs , and that means for the first time in a very long time , new manufacturing is coming to Fayette and Kanawha counties . This is the type of thing we need to do to diversify the economy . I am more than willing to tell everyone I told you so . We can ’ t be afraid to say yes to good news .”
Putting Down Roots
Pearlson and Ryan could have operated Ranger Scientific from anywhere in the world . The powerful draw of West Virginia ’ s beauty and her people are illustrated by the fact that they both now reside in the Upper Kanawha Valley . While their commitment to putting down roots and creating jobs in a community devastated by the decline in coal is admirable on its own , they haven ’ t stopped there .
Pearlson formed the Kanawha Champions Foundation in 2018 and the Kanawha Valley Trust in 2020 in an effort to help revitalize Montgomery and surrounding communities . The purpose of these entities is specifically to endow communities in the region with educational and economic development resources .
Since 2018 , Pearlson has contributed to many projects aimed at enhancing economic opportunities and dealing with economic hardships without fanfare . The Kanawha Champions Foundation paid to build a state-of-the-art , ultra-high-definition television broadcast studio ; outfitted a theatre craft shop ; initiated a ground-breaking literacy campaign with a large grant to cover all costs and personnel ; and provided numerous laptops , high-power computer servers , printers and football equipment to Riverside High School .
The foundation has also donated food , clothing and funds to the Upper Kanawha Valley Sports and Activity Center in London and the Union Mission in Kanawha City , specifically focusing on the immediate needs of people impacted by homelessness , unemployment and the COVID-19 shutdown in Clay , Fayette , Kanawha and Nicholas counties .
The Kanawha Valley Trust has partnered with BridgeValley Community and Technical College to invest in vocational training and academic tracks for student veterans , and through its
The City of Montgomery .
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