The NUCOR steel plant in Mason County is expected to be an economic driver for the entire region.
Speakers from the city of Huntington, the Cabell County Commission and the Mason County Development Authority briefed members of the Joint Standing Committee on Finance Monday on development they are already seeing for the region from the NUCOR plant.
The plant itself is expected to be a $3 billion investment in the region with thousands of jobs as well as ancillary jobs and businesses not directly connected to the plant but supporting employees like grocery stores and restaurants. Millions of dollars are also being spent to upgrade infrastructure for water, sewer, roads and bridges.
John Musgrave, executive director of the Mason County Development Authority, noted it is nice to collaborate with a company that works with the local community.
“They not only are active in Point Pleasant and Mason County,” he said. “But down in Huntington and Cabell County, taking advantage of Putnam County and down into Kanawha County.”
A big issue facing the region is housing for the workers with approximately 1,000 contractors coming in to build the plant and nearly that number working there full-time when it is operational.