Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) toured the industrial site in Millwood, where TIMET is constructing a titanium melt facility.

The senator was joined on the tour by representatives from TIMET, its parent company PCC Castparts Inc., and Berkshire Hathaway (BHE) Renewable Energies, which will supply the solar microgrid system to power the facility.

“Around 50 percent of our market is aerospace, 35 percent structures and 15 percent in other areas,” Steve Wright, president of PCC Metals Group, said.

As she toured the site, the senator had several questions about the titanium process, how the microgrid would work, employment and any issues the companies faced.

The solar panels will be placed on acreage across the road from the TIMET facility.

“All of our resources will go towards TIMET,” Alicia Knapp, CEO and President of BHE Renewables, said. “As the additional property is developed, we will look into expanding that capacity.”

BHE Renewable will supply the majority of the energy, and AEP will be utilized to meet any remaining needs.

One challenge that company officials spoke to Capito about is the 15 percent tariff on the import of sponge (which got its name from its original look), the raw material TIMET uses. The product is not produced domestically and so must be brought in from outside the United States. This means that TIMET and other manufacturers must pay 15 cents more on the dollar for the material.

“That is something we’re trying to address,” Capito said. “We need to make sure that the source of their raw materials doesn’t disadvantage a company’s ability to compete here in the United States and worldwide. We also need to make the permitting process easier. The problem wasn’t as difficult here, but it took far longer than necessary down the road at Nucor.”

The senator has co-sponsored legislation to remove the tariff.

“Thank you for your investment in our state,” Capito said. “I think this shows that West Virginia is ready to innovate. What a great thing for an energy state to have a renewable energy facility here. It proves that we are ready, coupled with our traditional coal and natural gas resources, to be part of economic growth.”

TIMET will eventually have 200 employees. According to Hannah Hesson, TIMET human resources officer, there are 39 currently employed, some of which are in training at the company’s Morgantown, Pennsylvania, facility for the processes to be used at the Millwood site once operational in the expected second quarter of 2025.

Capito praised Jackson County and the surrounding area for supporting both TIMET and BHE Renewable.

“If you don’t have people pitching in from all sides, this doesn’t work,” she said.

TIMET’s General Manager Alun Davies concurred.

“Nowhere else would you find the interest and welcome we’ve received here,” he said. “It’s been a very good experience.”

BHE Renewables, the BHE Foundation and TIMET stress that they want to be equal partners with the county.

Donations of money and time have been made to various projects. Some of those include the solar lights at Ripley High School (TIMET), Veterans Park playground Ravenswood (BHE Foundation), and WVU Medicine Jackson General Hospital expansion (BHE Renewables). TIMET employees recently had a successful program with fourth and fifth graders at Cottageville Elementary.

A humorous moment came when Patrick Pettey, director of technology and quality, pointed out a change that will happen once the plant is operational.

“You won’t find any ballpoint pens here,” he said. “If any loose piece would get in the product, then it’s compromised and unusable. We’ll be vigilant.

The BHE Renewables site is being prepared for a three-phase microgrid project.

“We’ll develop these to match TIMET’s energy needs as it develops and operates its facility,” Knapp said.

After her tour, Senator Capito expressed her admiration for the teams making the progress possible.

“I’m excited with what I see, and I’m impressed with how fast it’s gone,” she said.