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Thursday was a milestone day for Form Energy as the company raised the final steel beam for its initialy construction of Form Factory One.
I want to thank Form Energy for including me in the day, and to help chronicle this phase in the development of the manufacturing facility. The hope continues that this project will be the first of many coming to Weirton in the next several years as our area continues its work to build for its future.
It was interesting to watch the ceremony, because, quite frankly, it's been such a rare occurrence in Hancock and Brooke counties.
The last such event I attended was when The Grande Hotel was being built at Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack and Resort.
We've obviously had some large businesses come to our area in recent years, but most of the manufacturers have renovated existing structures for their operations. The notable exceptions have been Pietro Fiorentini, which held groundbreaking and ribbon-cutting celebrations. The area now known as the Three Springs Industrial Park could be considered as well, although its early stages built off of what had been the Weirton Steel Research and Development Facility.
I drive through the area where Form Factory One is being built on a fairly regular basis these days, typically on my way to or from New Cumberland. It's been amazing to see from a distance, and even moreso to be standing almost right next to the structure and see as crews are working on those beams and walls.
I was fortunate to be on site last July when the first beams were going up, and now, just shy of seven months later, to see the last one has been a reminder of what can be accomplished through hard work, cooperation and a common goal.
I look forward to continuing to see the development, as well as the day Form Factory One officially opens for operations.
The day also served as a reminder that I need to invest in a pair of work boots, especially if there is going to be as much development in that area as people are hoping.
Form's President and COO Ted Wiley invited me to walk a bit closer to the structure, both to show me some of the work and to get away from the noise surrounding us at the time. Unfortunately, we both realized a little too late how thick the mud had gotten in the area as it became a little difficult to walk.
I needed some new dress shoes anyway.
All kidding aside, this really is exciting to see in our community. For so many years, I've heard residents feel a lack of hope for the area and express frustration on how few opportunities they have seen.
Form has held two hiring events in Weirton, as well as a few closer to Pittsburgh, and company officials have said they have seen a tremendous response. In fact, the first Weirton hiring event, held in January, had so many people sign up, they immediately scheduled one which was held Thursday afternoon. That one, also, was full, which was why there was little promotion for it.
They seem to be happy with the pool of applicants showing up, which should be a good sign when it comes to filling the hundreds of jobs being planned.
It's taken some time, just as we knew it would, but things are happening here. There are opportunities coming, and hope is returning.
(Howell, a resident of Colliers, is managing editor of The Weirton Daily Times, and can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com or followed on Twitter/X @CHowellWDT)