WEIRTON — Following a recent investment of Congressionally directed spending into planned development in the city, U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito was in Weirton, Wednesday, to see some of the progress first-hand.
Capito, R-W.Va., and her staff spent part of Wednesday morning meeting with representatives of the Frontier Group of Companies, the City of Weirton, and the Brooke-Hancock-Jefferson Metropolitan Planning Commission, hearing about plans for the Frontier Crossings development.
Capito, along with U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and U.S. Rep. David McKinley, R-W.Va., were able to arrange a combined $4 million in Congressionally directed spending for the construction of a planned industrial access road through the former steel site.
“I’m really excited about what I’m seeing in Weirton,” Capito said while touring the property.
The senator noted continuing efforts from Congress to invest in the nation’s infrastructure, including passage last year of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which was supported by Capito, Manchin and McKinley, explaining such programs are vital to economic development in West Virginia.
“Infrastructure is critical,” Capito said. “We realize outdated infrastructure is not going to attract new investments. We have to modernize.”
Rob Zuchlewski, chief operating officer of the Frontier Group of Companies, explained the company has put in a lot of work in the last five years to rehabilitate its property in Weirton to prepare it for future business opportunities, and has received support from Capito throughout that time.
“She’s been very engaged in the entire process,” Zuchlewski said. “We’re fortunate to have the senator here to show her the improvements.”
Capito was essential in securing $300,000 in seed money for the project, according to Pat Ford, business development director of Frontier, which allowed for some early planning and market analyses for Frontier Crossings.
“Sen. Capito has been with us since day one,” Ford said, noting those analyses have helped in ongoing efforts to attract new businesses, which, he said, amount to an anticipated $1.2 billion in investments from business prospects.
Construction of the planned access road, which Ford explained will be for both public and private use, will be key in attracting those prospects.
“They all say the same thing, ‘It’s a beautiful site, but how do we get there?'” Ford said.
Of the Congressional spending designated for the road project, $3 million was awarded to BHJ, with $1 million going through the City of Weirton. Ford expressed appreciation to the two entities for their cooperation in the efforts.
Capito explained additional help for Frontier Crossings could be coming, noting there are two grant applications filed and her office is lending its support in order to obtain those funds.
“We expect to keep working on this project,” she said.