The Port of West Virginia plans to build up their operation in Brooke County, bringing hundreds of jobs with it, and are looking for support from the state to help reach their goal.
Mitch Carmichael, cabinet secretary of the state Department of Economic Development, was in Follansbee Wednesday, meeting with the leadership of the port and touring their facilities along the Ohio River.
The Port of West Virginia, formerly known as Empire Trimodal Terminal, is operated by Empire Diversified Energy, a Florida-based business providing logistics and services for the energy industry. The company purchased the property in late 2020 and recently completed the purchase of the former Koppers property in Follansbee.
Frank Rosso, chief executive officer, explained, with work being done to develop two ethane crackers in the region, the proximity to various modes of transportation, and more, the company feels the Follansbee site is perfect to serve as an inland public port operation.
“We’re the epicenter of everything going on”.
CEO, Frank Rosso
