Gov. Jim Justice, alongside Sen. Shelley Moore Capito and Shark Tank’s Kevin O’Leary, broke ground on Prime 6’s new manufacturing facility in Fairmont. The $35 million investment is expected to create 75-100 jobs in North Central West Virginia.
Prime 6 is known for its innovative approach to upcycling wood waste, turning it into high-quality products for the hospitality industry. Its charcoal alternative products are USDA certified, meeting industry standards for excellence.
The woman-owned business is relocating its headquarters from Asia to West Virginia. This move will not only strengthen Prime 6’s operations but also support the wood industry throughout the Appalachian region, contributing to local economic growth and job creation.
“I’ve had countless conversations with Kevin and the team at Prime 6 about bringing their manufacturing facility to West Virginia, and it’s truly an honor to be here today, seeing it become a reality,” Justice said. “We faced some challenges with Prime 6’s location that could have derailed this entire thing. But we knew we weren’t going to let that happen. We got tougher, we worked harder — that’s the West Virginia way. What Prime 6 will find here is a community of dedicated workers, skilled craftsmen, and good-hearted folks. We’ll never forget the investment you’ve made in our Fairmont community, and that’s what makes West Virginia the place to be. We are truly humbled you believe in West Virginia, Fairmont, and our communities. Thank you to Kevin, Prime 6, and everyone in this room who has helped lead us to this incredible milestone.”
“What a great day for West Virginia, Marion County, and Fairmont,” Capito said. “It’s wonderful to welcome ‘Mr. Wonderful’ to Wild and Wonderful West Virginia again. About a year ago, we started this conversation about Prime 6, discussing the vision and possibilities for the future of our state. Now, here we are, seeing it come to life in a building that’s been lifeless for quite some time.”
“The key to success is building strong relationships around good policy and effective leadership, and West Virginia has both,” O’Leary said. “When I first met Gov. Justice, I knew right away he got business. We shared the business of all the incredible things West Virginia has to continue building its economy. Gov. Justice made it very easy to make West Virginia a place to invest in. Work is just getting started, but Prime 6 has an exciting future ahead here in Fairmont.”