WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. – Gov. Jim Justice took the stage at his family’s Greenbrier resort on Wednesday to announce a series of high-profile corporate investments totaling $219 million in the state of West Virginia.
His public remarks in White Sulphur Springs came one day after the resort’s scheduled opening. auctioned because the Justice family defaulted on the loans for the property. Justice and his family reached an agreement to repay the loan by October, but financial problems remain and the health insurance of Greenbrier employees could cut off next month.
The Republican governor, who has been additional family debts The company, which has sales of more than one billion dollars, made no mention of the financial chaos in his speech at the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce’s annual meeting and economic summit.
“This road started off pretty damn rough, but today we’re celebrating in this great state in ways we couldn’t imagine,” said Justice, who is running for a seat in the U.S. Senate. “What I wanted is right here and now – for Toby and Edith to be so much better and so much happier.”
Justice was warmly received by the Chamber and praised his tenure as governor, which focused on Improving roadsReduction of state Income tax and economic investments.
He told the crowd that the three recent companies would create hundreds of jobs across the state.
Prime 6, a manufacturer of firewood for barbecues, will open a recent factory in Upshur County. The $35 million investment is expected to create 75 jobs.
The company started on the TV competition show “Shark Tank”.
In a video announcement, Shark Tank host Kevin O’Leary, known as “Mr. Wonderful,” praised Justice and West Virginia.
“Not all states are the same… A great place to do business is West Virginia. Why? Great leadership,” O’Leary said. “Governor Jim Justice and the whole team, they got it… They run businesses. They paid salaries. These are not politicians, these are leaders.”
Justice also said that HandCraft Services, a medical laundry and apparel company, will invest $59 million to open a recent facility in Berkeley County, creating 220 recent jobs.
“We will begin hauling dirt next week and laundry next year. We are excited to be part of the West Virginia community,” said Ward Hackett, the company’s vice president of business development.
In addition, energy and environmental technology company Babcock & Wilcox (B&W) will invest $125 million in Mason County to develop low-carbon hydrogen production, which is expected to create 28 well-paying jobs.
“Today we are doing great things that you cannot imagine,” Justice said.
In addition to the financial problems plaguing Greenbrier, Justice is facing a mountain of debt due to unpaid mine safety violations at his family’s mining companies, Non-payment of a $35 million COVID-19 relief loan in 2021 and more.
Justice has maintained that none of the financial challenges are legitimate. He said they political attacks due to its Race for the US Senate.
