West Virginia gives $50M toward Cleveland-Cliffs reopening Weirton plant

(The Center Square) – West Virginia plans to grant Cleveland-Cliffs $50 million toward operations of its Weirton facility.

The company announced it was closing the facility in February.

The reopening will lead to 600 anticipated jobs in Brooke and Hancock counties to produce steel for electric grid transformers.

The $50 million incentive was approved by the West Virginia Economic Development Authority, chaired by Gov. Jim Justice, on Monday.

“In addition to saving these important jobs, this deal shows our commitment to energy independence,” Justice said. “By making these high-demand transformers right here, we're cutting down on our need for energy from other countries and making our grid stronger. Just as important, this not only helps keep our current mining jobs but will also create new ones in our state.”

The West Virginia Economic Development Task Force and a Workforce WV Quick Response Team were both mobilized to assist after the announced closure, leading to the deal to reopen the plant.

"The Northern Panhandle was faced with a serious challenge with the loss of hundreds of jobs when Cleveland-Cliffs idled its Weirton operations earlier this year,” Senate President Craig Blair, R-Berkeley, said in a statement. “Fortunately, the ability to adapt and change direction presented the opportunity to reopen this location and save these jobs. We are grateful to all of the people who dedicated countless hours to this effort, and we are excited to see the great things that will grow from this investment."