Governor Patrick Morrisey joined Frontieras North America on April 2 for the groundbreaking of a new advanced coal reformation facility in Mason County, West Virginia. The privately funded project is expected to generate more than 2,000 construction jobs and over 200 full-time positions once operational.
The initiative aims to strengthen the state’s economy by attracting private investment and creating new opportunities for West Virginia’s coal industry. Governor Morrisey said, “This is exactly the kind of investment West Virginia is competing for and winning. Frontieras is bringing hundreds of millions of dollars in private capital into our state, creating thousands of jobs, and opening new markets for West Virginia coal — all without asking taxpayers for a dime.”
The facility will use technology developed by Frontieras to convert coal into ultra-low sulfur fuels, fertilizers, and industrial carbon products. This approach seeks to create long-term demand for Appalachian coal while expanding its commercial uses beyond traditional power generation and steelmaking.
Frontieras chose West Virginia over other potential sites in Texas and Wyoming due to the state’s workforce strengths, logistics advantages, and business climate. The Mason County location offers access to the Ohio River as well as rail infrastructure and proximity to regional coal supplies.
Since October, more than $12.8 billion in private investment has been secured by West Virginia with almost 11,000 projected jobs created. Including public sector investments such as Broadband Equity Access Deployment funding and the Rural Health Transformation initiative brings those totals up to $14.3 billion in investments with approximately 12,000 projected jobs.
“This project is about building the future of energy right here in West Virginia,” Governor Morrisey said. “We are creating new opportunities for our coal industry, growing our economy, and proving West Virginia can compete and win.”
U.S. Sen. Jim Justice (R-W.Va.) serves on several committees focused on community development and economic vitality; he ran on a platform emphasizing job creation according to the official website. Justice has also championed youth programs through his office according to his official biography.
