U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito is astounded by the changes seen in north Weirton in the last few years.
Capito, R-W.Va., was in the city Monday to visit Form Factory 1, receiving a tour and update on development of the facility constructed to manufacture iron-air batteries on property once used in the making of steel. It was part of a series of stops in the Northern Panhandle.
“What a great investment,” she said of the facility which has been under construction for the last year. “It’s such an uplifting feeling.”
Her visit to Form Energy was part of a swing through the Northern Panhandle that included stops in Wheeling and Wellsburg to talk economic development. She was in Wheeling Monday afternoon for a lunch with the Regional Economic Development Partnership, focusing on the impact of federal funding in RED’s coverage area.
In Wellsburg, she talked with community leaders about Congressionally Directed Spending and how it can encourage growth in the area.
As part of the Form Energy tour, Capito was able to learn about the engineering, testing and assembly of the batteries developed by the company, which are designed to provide 100 hours of power storage, as well as its quality control procedures.
According to Mateo Jaramillo, CEO and co-founder of Form Energy, much of the primary construction on the first phase of Form Factory 1 is complete, and “dress rehearsals” are ongoing as the company has begun to bring manufacturing personnel on site to begin early-stage building of the battery components.
“It is reaching that stage of maturity,” he said, adding production will be ramping up through the rest of the year.
The company previously announced plans to begin an expansion of Form Factory 1 sometime in 2025, allowing for increased production and the need for increased employment. The announced goal of Form Energy is to have approximately 750 employees located in Weirton.
Jaramillo offered his appreciation to Capito, as well as to state and local officials and the people of Weirton, saying the assistance over the last year has helped in the drive to get Form Factory 1 up and running.
“We wouldn’t be able to do that without the support of the community,” Jaramillo said.
Even while under construction, Form Energy has been taking orders for its batteries from companies and utility providers across the country.
“The product is selling itself in many ways,” Capito said. “It will be really interesting to see.”
Of particular note was the different facets of manufacturing at Form Energy, which she said uses more aspects of robotics and artificial intelligence than in the facilities residents of the area are used to. She said the work being done by Form Energy can serve as an example for other existing and future manufacturers in the state and beyond.
By embracing new technological capabilities made possible by Form Energy, West Virginia will continue to be an energy state well into the future,” Capito said.
In Wheeling, along with her lunch with RED representatives, Capito also stopped by Newbridge Academy for Kids, a new childcare center in downtown Wheeling being built by Newbridge Church.
“I enjoyed the chance to sit down with the leaders of RED, who are dedicated to bringing exciting economic development opportunities to our Northern Panhandle,” Capito said. “One of the projects we have worked together to establish is the Newbridge Academy for Kids, which will create jobs and provide child care for over 200 children in West Virginia. I look forward to our continued work together in the future.”
“It was great to host Senator Capito in Wheeling today,” RED Development Manager Valerie Piko said. “We appreciate the opportunity to touch base with her on the projects we’re working on that have benefited from federal resources and thank her for being such a strong champion for West Virginia. We look forward to continuing our work together to further economic development in the Wheeling area.”