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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) made stops last week in Kenova, Barboursville, Cross Lanes, Charleston, Apple Grove, Point Pleasant, and White Sulphur Springs during the U.S. Senate’s state work period. During the visits, Senator Capito met with local leaders, visited several businesses, and highlighted economic development opportunities across the state.
On Monday, Senator Capito made multiple stops in Cabell, Wayne, and Kanawha counties where she met with community leaders in Kenova and Barboursville, followed by a tour of an equipment company in Cross Lanes. During the visits, Senator Capito discussed economic development, future infrastructure projects, and the impact the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) will have on businesses and communities in West Virginia.
First, Senator Capito met with Barboursville Mayor Chris Tatum to discuss the need to upgrade the village’s current wastewater collection system and future economic development initiatives in the region. Senator Capito also met with local leaders in Kenova to discuss ways to strengthen and improve the community, infrastructure projects, and tourism.
“I enjoyed the opportunity to meet with community leaders in both Barboursville and Kenova and discuss a range of issues, including critical infrastructure projects that are important to the growth of the communities and help create economic development opportunities, attract new private investments, and improve the lives of its residents,” Senator Capito said.
Senator Capito then traveled to Cross Lanes, W.Va. to visit Leslie Equipment Co. where she toured the facility and met with the leadership team to discuss a range of issues, including the benefits of the new bipartisan infrastructure law. Leslie Equipment is an award-winning John Deere dealer, and has experienced positive impact on business as a result of the IIJA, which Senator Capito helped author.
“Improving West Virginia’s infrastructure has always been a top priority, and the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will help achieve this goal. I’m thrilled to see the impact this legislation is already having at Leslie Equipment, which has been an innovative leader in sales and product support for development opportunities across the Kanawha River Valley for over 45 years. I am thankful for the leadership of their president, John Leslie, and for his invitation to see their operations in Cross Lanes,” Senator Capito said.
For more on this and other stops Senator Capito made in on Monday, click here.
On Tuesday, Senator Capito addressed small businesses at the Meta Boost event in Charleston, W.Va. Following this event, Senator Capito traveled to Point Pleasant and Apple Grove, W.Va. where she met with local leaders to discuss potential economic development in the region, toured the future site for Nucor Corporation, visited APG Polytech, and attended the reception prior to the 76th Annual Mason County Chamber of Commerce Dinner.
First, Senator Capito addressed small businesses at the Meta Boost event co-hosted by the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce in Charleston, W.Va. In 2011, Meta launched the Meta Boost initiative to help educate small business owners about the tools that can help them find success on the platform.
“In West Virginia, we know how important small businesses are,” Senator Capito said. “In store, online, or through some combination of the two, West Virginians rely on small businesses to deliver quality goods and services, and to provide a great experience while doing so. The resources Meta can provide our small businesses are invaluable in helping them attract customers, increase online sales, gain exposure, and grow their businesses. In short: The Meta Boost program can help our small businesses make an even bigger impact, and I thank them, along with the Chamber of Commerce, for the work they do every day that truly makes West Virginia a better place.”
Senator Capito later traveled to Point Pleasant and Apple Grove, W.Va. where she met with local leaders to discuss potential economic development in the region and toured the future site for Nucor Corporation. In January, Nucor announced that West Virginia would be the location for their new multi-billion dollar steel mill facility, which will create thousands of new direct and indirect jobs and will be responsible for significant additional opportunities and investments in the region.
“Nucor’s future presence in West Virginia is welcome news, and will have a major impact on our state’s economy,” Senator Capito said. “I enjoyed the opportunity to not only see the future site of Nucor, but also meet with members of the leadership team to discuss the impact this development will have in the region. As I’ve said before, I’m incredibly proud of this announcement for a number of reasons, but primarily because it shows what we can achieve when we work together at the federal, state, and local levels for solid, long term successes.”
After touring the Nucor site, Senator Capito visited APG Polytech, a plastic manufacturing company that supports 180 jobs in Mason County. Senator Capito also attended the reception prior to the 76th Annual Mason County Chamber of Commerce Dinner where she met with community leaders and small business leaders from across Mason County.
For more on these visits, click here.
On Wednesday, Senator Capito made two stops in Greenbrier County, addressing a coal leadership summit, followed by a tour of Mountain Steer Meat Company.
First, Senator Capito spoke at a coal leadership summit at The Greenbrier to address coal advocates, industry leaders, and elected officials from across West Virginia and the country.
“West Virginia is proud to power our country, and the world with coal,” Senator Capito said. “Unfortunately, since the Biden administration is working overtime to make the United States less energy independent, we must take it upon ourselves to take a united approach in defending miners, employers, and coal communities across our state. This summit is a great opportunity for us to come up with solutions and strategies that stand up for West Virginia coal now and in the future.”
Senator Capito then visited Mountain Steer Meat Company to tour their facilities and meet with owners James Tuckwiller and Frank Ford.
“Farming is oftentimes a family business, and that’s the case with Mountain Steer Meat Company,” Senator Capito said. “During the pandemic, the Tuckwillers and Fords, two local families, came up with an innovative approach to improve and grow the meat processing business right here in Greenbrier County. It was a pleasure to tour their facilities and I’m looking forward to seeing their operations expand and serve the surrounding area for years to come.”
For more on these visits, click here.
On Thursday, Senator Capito visited CityNet’s Charleston facility and data center for a tour and discussion with company leadership and employees.
“CityNet is an example of a West Virginia company that is leading the way on a critical issue like broadband,” Senator Capito said. “As we bring dollars into our state for broadband deployment through the bipartisan infrastructure law, we want to make sure our local internet service providers have the tools and support they need to deliver high-speed internet access, especially in hard-to-serve areas. It was great to catch up with Jim Martin and Chris Morris, meet with employees, and see how their operations are helping connect communities across West Virginia.”
Based in Bridgeport, W.Va., CityNet provides advanced network communications and technology solutions for consumers, businesses, enterprise organizations, and wholesale customers in West Virginia. They currently have approximately $150 million in broadband projects underway.
For more on this visit, click here.
Additionally, on Sunday, Senator Capito attended the State Memorial Services for West Virginia native Hershel “Woody” Williams, the last surviving World War II Medal of Honor recipient. Following the ceremony, Senator Capito joined the West Virginia delegation in announcing that Woody will lie in state at the U.S. Capitol.
For more on the announcement, click here. And click here to read Senator Capito’s full statement on Woody’s passing.
Photos from the events are included below:
U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) meets with Kenova Mayor Timothy Bias in Kenova, W.Va. on Monday, June 27, 2022.
U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) meets with Barboursville Mayor Chris Tatum in Barboursville, W.Va. on Monday, June 27, 2022.
U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) visits Leslie Equipment in Cross Lanes, W.Va. on Monday, June 27, 2022.
U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) delivers remarks at the Meta Boost event in Charleston, W.Va. on Tuesday, June 28, 2022.
U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) meets with local leaders from Mason County in Point Pleasant, W.Va. on Tuesday, June 28, 2022.
U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) tours the future Nucor site in Apple Grove, W.Va. on Tuesday, June 28, 2022.
U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) attends the reception for the Annual Mason County Chamber of Commerce Dinner in Point Pleasant, W.Va. on Tuesday, June 28, 2022.
U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) speaks at a multistate coal summit at The Greenbrier on Wednesday, June 29, 2022.
U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) tours Mountain Steer Meat Company in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va. on Wednesday, June 29, 2022.
U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) tours CityNet’s facilities in Charleston, W.Va. on Thursday, June 30, 2022.
U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) attends the State Memorial Services for Hershel “Woody” Williams” in Charleston, W.Va. on Sunday, July 3, 2022.
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