WEIRTON — Gov. Patrick Morrisey continues to have high hopes for the future of the Northern Panhandle.

A week after announcing millions of dollars in planned investments and expansions for two Hancock County industries, Morrisey made an unannounced visit to the area Thursday to meet with representatives of several local businesses and discuss continuing growth opportunities.

“There’s a lot going on in this area,” Morrisey said during a sit-down with The Weirton Daily Times. “We’re excited about the Northern Panhandle.”

During this year’s Governor’s Energy Summit, held Nov. 13 in Charleston, Morrisey announced a series of planned investments in manufacturing and energy operations throughout West Virginia. Among them was a $7 million capital investment plan — which includes $1 million in a performance-based loan from the state — at Bidell Gas Compression to expand its Weirton manufacturing facility.

The Business Development Corp. of the Northern Panhandle is receiving a $3.2 million loan to purchase a 19,000-square-foot building, which will be leased to Bidell as part of the expansion.

The project is planned to create 80 new jobs at the site.

In addition, Ergon plans a $400 million investment at its Newell facility, creating 25 new jobs. Ergon also is partnering with the state’s new Powering Our Workforce through Energy and Revolutionary Technology program — a collaboration involving higher education institutions in West Virginia focusing on building an energy and workforce supply for the state’s future.

Also pointing to progress at Form Energy, with more than 400 employees reportedly on the job in Weirton, Morrisey said one of his main focuses for West Virginia has been on economic development and growth in the state’s energy sectors.

As he met with representatives of Bidell, Ergon and individuals with other potential opportunities Thursday, the governor says he sees more announcements for the region on the horizon.

“We have a lot in the hopper,” Morrisey said. “They’re good and I think there will be more of them.”

Unlike previous administrations, though, Morrisey says his approach is to make certain all details are worked out and ready to go before celebrating.

“I try not to make announcements unless they’re real,” he said, acknowledging there are some occasions where projects are announced and then don’t pan out.