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It's amazing what can happen in a year.
I was looking back through a few files in recent days, and realized this weekend (May 26, to be precise) marks one year since the ceremonial groundbreaking for Form Energy's Form Factory 1 facility.
It was, without a doubt, one of the biggest economic development events Weirton has hosted in some time, with Form Energy representatives joined by local elected officials, company stakeholders, U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm and many more.
To see the changes of that site over the last several months has been an experience, and one many of us will remember for years to come. Where vacated facilities once stood has been leveled out, and now features a new structure which is set to open in the coming months and provide jobs for area residents.
In December, there was another ceremonial groundbreaking. Not nearly to the scale of Form Energy, Park Place can provide just as much relevance and importance in its own way. This long-planned development will serve as the home of retail establishments as well as some residential space, and could kick off additional growth for the Three Springs Drive area.
Fanti USA opened its facility in the Half Moon Industrial Park, and, from what I've been told, there already is discussion of expansion.
Not everything has been good, of course.
Cleveland-Cliffs opted to idle the tin mill in Weirton, pointing to a decision by the U.S. International Trade Commission. As a result, hundreds of residents were faced with the decision to either transfer to other Cliffs' facilities, retire or look elsewhere for work.
This affects those workers and their families. There also will be an effect felt in our communities, as there is the possibility of fewer children in our schools and less activity for our local businesses.
The same is true for the effects of the bankruptcy of rue21, which had a distribution center in Weirton. I still don't know exactly how many people had been working there, but it, also, will have a negative effect.
It seems as if every time we seem to finally be heading in the right direction, we hit a stumbling block of some sort which sends us back several steps.
I have no doubt, though, we will recover in some way and continue on the journey forward.
Those examples are some of the major items, noticeable by many in our region. Much more has happened which may not be immediately noticeable, but the effects can still be felt.
Everything changes within the passage of time.
Businesses don't always stay in operation. People come and go in one way or another. Clubs and organizations see changes in their membership and activity. Long-standing community events may no longer be held.
Such changes may be in the works for years before coming to fruition, and others happen more suddenly.
From generation to generation, it is interesting to take a look back to compare to today.
There are people who continue to work to make a difference in our area. It may be something like encouraging a younger group of individuals to get involved in the goings-on of their community, or to organize a new festival. There also are those who put their efforts toward attracting new businesses, in the hope of helping to create new jobs for our residents.
I don't know where we will be at this time next year. None of us do, for certain. All we know for sure is things will be different from where they are today.
(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)