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The Weirton area received more good news late last week with the announcement Premium Guard Inc. would be locating a new operation in the community.
As part of its plans for growth, which includes expanding its market into Canada, the Memphis-based company, which manufactures, automotive filters and other parts and accessories, has decided to set up shop in the Upper Ohio Valley, moving into a facility once home to the rue21 distribution center on Park Drive.
This is good news for two major reasons. One, it fills space which has been vacant for the last several months, thus ensuring a once-bustling facility does not sit empty for too long. Secondly, the announcement comes with the promise of the creation of 100 new jobs.
The company says it plans to be up and running by July, and it seems activity already is taking place at the site in preparation for its operations to begin. The hiring process also is set to begin soon, company officials have said.
According to the Business Development Corp. of the Northern Panhandle, which announced the company's plans, this represents a $3 million investment in our community.
The effects, though, will be felt in many other ways for a long time.
While getting the warehouse facility ready to begin operations, there is no doubt, local businesses will benefit, whether that be the need for work by local contractors, the rental of rooms at area hotels for those out-of-town guests involved with the project, dining at area restaurants, and more.
Then, once the jobs are filled, that means area residents, or others coming to our area for work, will not only be working, but also going themselves to shop at our stores, visit our restaurants, have children in our schools, make use of our parks, etc., thus continuing an increased investment in our area.
We've had more than our share of bad job news over the years, so it's good to see good news continuing.
The Three Springs Drive area of Weirton continues to see growth, and we look forward to more.
We welcome Premium Guard to the Upper Ohio Valley, and hope they call our area home for many years to come.