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West Virginia

West Virginia is marketing itself to a wide variety of industries, including aerospace, electrical equipment, general industrial equipment, high-technology, industrial and analytical instruments, metalworking equipment, material moving equipment, packaging and machinery, pharmaceutical preparation, plastics, sporting and athletic goods, transportation equipment, value-added wood products and warehouse distribution.

In June, Molecular OptoElectronics Corp. (MOEC) announced it will be opening a manufacturing facility in Marion County. The company chose to locate along what has been dubbed the 1-79 High Technology Corridor.

Also in June, Pratt & Whitney Engine Services revealed plans to construct a new hangar at Benedum Airport that will significantly upgrade the company's fly-in jet engine and repair service capabilities. The $2 million, 17,000-sq.-ft. (1,580-sq.-m.) facility will more than triple current hangar space at Pratt & Whitney's facility in the Mid-Atlantic Aerospace Complex.

"The availability of affordable fly-in service with state-of-the-art overhaul support will make our engines more attractive to aircraft operators," says Gilles P. Ouimet, president and COO, Pratt & Whitney Canada.

General Woods and Veneers Ltd. planned to open a 120,000-sq.-ft. (11,150-sq.-m.) manufacturing facility in Spencer in August that will employ 120. Headquartered in Montreal, Quebec, General Woods and Veneers was attracted to the state because of its proximity to veneer log sources and its abundant labor pool.

"The availability of an existing facility in Roane County also was a factor, allowing us to expedite the operation of our newest facility," says Steven Elefant, president of the company, which qualifies for state incentives and is eligible for training funds through the Governor's Guaranteed Work Force Program.