米国ウエストバージニア州　経済開発省 List of Products and Services

This document summarizes the locational advantages and basic information about the manufacturing industry in West Virginia. It includes a wealth of information such as access to natural resources, low turnover rates in manufacturing, the highest homeownership rate in the nation, high business survival rates, low disaster risk, strategic locations close to major markets, and robust support for the manufacturing sector. We also feature testimonials from customers who have chosen West Virginia, so please use this information when considering expansion into the manufacturing industry in the United States. [Contents] ■ Basic information about West Virginia ■ State government service support before expansion ■ State government service support after expansion ■ Locational advantages ■ Japanese companies *For more details, please download the PDF or feel free to contact us.

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As companies globalize, many are considering local production in North America as one of the options they must explore in the near future. However, even when it comes to the United States, some companies may be struggling to determine the criteria for choosing a location, which can hinder their overseas expansion. To provide insights into solving such challenges, we have compiled easy-to-understand examples of companies that have announced their entry or expansion within the last year and a half. We will introduce why West Virginia was chosen as a manufacturing base, not only from Japan but also from Europe, Asia, and within the United States, including reasons for expansion or growth, investment scale, and number of employees. *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.*

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Introducing the case of the Appalachian Hydrogen Hub "ARHC2," which spans the states of West Virginia, Ohio, and Pennsylvania (Headquarters: Morgantown, WV). At ARHC2, hydrogen will be produced from the vast natural gas reserves lying in the Appalachian region. Hydrogen pipelines, multiple hydrogen stations, and CO2 permanent storage sites will be constructed. The reason for selection is its strategic location, being part of a major industrial hub in the United States, a transportation nexus, and rich in natural gas, making it one of the seven regions chosen from 23 finalists. 【Case Overview】 ■ Employment: 21,000 people (18,000 construction jobs / 3,000 permanent jobs) ■ Maximum investment amount: US$925 million ■ Production site locations within WV (10 sites across 5 counties): Kanawha, Brooke, Wood, Mason, Marion ■ Hydrogen production volume: 3 million tons annually for the H2 Hub *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.

• Municipal services and business location

We would like to introduce the case of US Methanol (WV) completing the Liberty One plant. The methanol produced by the company is a very clean fossil fuel due to its high combustibility and high biodegradability. The reasons for their expansion include abundant natural resources, existing infrastructure, an environment that prioritizes economic activity, and already having local know-how, making it competitive as a manufacturing base. 【Case Overview (Partial)】 ■ Location: Institute Industrial Park, WV ■ Investment Amount: $250 million ■ New Employment: 60 people ■ Product: Methanol ■ Product Features: Very clean fossil fuel due to its high combustibility and high biodegradability. *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.

• Municipal services and business location

We would like to introduce the hydrogen project by Fidelis New Energy (TX), which includes the construction of a hydrogen production facility (Mountaineer Gigafactory Project) and a data center complex (Monarch Cloud Project). Both facilities are being built in Mason County, WV. The reason for choosing this location is that "WV is at the forefront of energy and chemical production in the United States. It is a natural choice for our project." The Monarch Cloud Project features the operation of a carbon-neutral data center by utilizing H2PowerCool technology powered by net-zero hydrogen produced at the Mountaineer Gigafactory. [Project Overview (Partial)] ■Investment Amount: US$2 billion ■Planned Expansion Phases: 4 phases ■New Jobs: 800 *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.

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We would like to introduce a case where Helicon Chemical (FL) has entered as a rocket fuel development base. The company develops propellant binders that enhance the performance of missiles, rockets, and military supplies for government and private customers. Their technology enables solutions to the development challenges of existing military equipment and future hypersonic weapon programs, which are priority research and development issues for the Department of Defense. One reason for their entry is that there is limited infrastructure in North America that meets the company's needs, which is available at the Regional Technology Park. [Case Overview] ■ Location: Regional Technology Park, South Charleston, WV ■ Manufactured Item: Improved propellant binder for rockets *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.

• Fuel system parts

Form Energy (MA) has conducted a groundbreaking ceremony for its first battery manufacturing plant, Factory 1. The manufactured product, the iron-air battery, is a new class of battery with a very high cost-effectiveness. It can store energy for several days at one-tenth the cost of lithium-ion batteries. The reasons for choosing this location include that Weirton has historically suitable terrain and infrastructure for the steel industry, as well as expertise in producing excellent products from iron. Additionally, it is close to the existing pilot plant (PA). It was selected from over 500 site candidates across 16 states. 【Case Overview (Partial)】 ■Investment Amount: US$760 million ■Location: Weirton, WV (site of the Weirton Steel Plant) ■Manufactured Product: Iron-air battery ■Site Area: 55 acres *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.

• Secondary Cells/Batteries

We would like to introduce a case where Diamond Electric Holdings (Japan) expanded its business in the automotive and air conditioning markets by establishing a presence in the United States and Mexico. In 2021, the company expanded its subsidiary, Diamond Electric Manufacturing (WV) in the United States, and in 2023, it established a subsidiary in Mexico as a subsidiary of Diamond Electric Manufacturing in the U.S., strengthening the production system from transformer reactor components to control boards. The reason for the expansion is to respond to large new orders from several domestic automobile manufacturers in the U.S. [Case Overview (Partial)] ■ Location: Eleanor, WV ■ Area: 37,000 sqft. ■ Expansion Investment Amount: $3.74 million ■ New Equipment Investment Amount: $18.61 million *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.

• Other Auto Parts

We would like to introduce a case where the biopharmaceutical manufacturer UNDBIO (South Korea) is advancing as a manufacturing base for diabetes treatment drugs. The company produces top-quality insulin through a partnership with West Virginia University. The reasons for this expansion include the high quality of the workforce and the historical and geographical environment. 【Case Overview (Partial)】 ■ Investment Amount: US$1 million/phase 1 ■ Location: Morgantown Business Park, WV ■ Products Manufactured: Insulin, insulin analog formulations ■ New Employment: 200 people within 3 years, ultimately reaching 600 people *For more details, please refer to the PDF materials or feel free to contact us.

• Chemicals

Heavy Iron Oilfield Services, LP (WV) has expanded its oil and gas development services provider base from PA to WV. In a successful case of utilizing a brownfield site from a former ceramics manufacturing location, a soil remediation completion certificate was issued by the WV Department of Environmental Protection in 2018. The reason for the expansion is that Chester, WV, is a geographical center for the company's business area. 【Case Overview】 ■ Location: Rock Springs Business Park, Chester, WV ■ Business Activities: Well testing and flowback services for the oil and gas industry in the eastern United States ■ Background: Established in 2011, primarily focused on shale gas development in the eastern United States, including WV (Marcellus and Utica) ■ New Employment: 75 people, with an additional 25 expected in the future *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.

• Soil testing

Delta Cooling Towers, Inc. will construct its second manufacturing facility in West Virginia. The company's cooling towers feature a seamless, single-piece shell design. The reasons for this expansion include the high quality of the workforce and the business-friendly environment. 【Case Overview】 ■Investment Amount: US$6.7 million ■Location: Barbour County, WV ■Manufactured Product: Cooling Towers ■Site Area: 55 acres ■New Employment: 30 people ■Construction Start: 2023 *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.

• Cooling system

Aurora Flight Sciences is planning to double both its factory building area and employee count over the next five years. The company entered West Virginia in 1990, acquired a building from Northrop Grumman in 2000, and became part of the Boeing group after being acquired in 2017. The main reason for the expansion is the receipt of orders for the production of two successor aircraft to the WhiteKnight Two (commonly known as VMS Eve), which is a jet aircraft for transporting suborbital spaceplanes from Virgin Galactic. Final assembly will take place at Virgin's California facility, with the first flight scheduled for early 2025. 【Case Overview】 ■ Location: North Central WV Airport, Bridgeport, WV ■ Expansion Size: 50,000 sq. ft. ■ Investment Amount: $15 million ■ Increase in Workforce: 200 people *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.

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We would like to introduce a case where TCL Specialties LLC, a subsidiary of the major Indian chemical manufacturer TCL (THIRUMALAI CHEMICALS LTD), is establishing a base for the downstream natural gas industry that produces raw materials refined from shale gas. By utilizing energy generated during the manufacturing process for over 90% of its power consumption, it achieves a very low carbon footprint. The project is planned to proceed through Phase 3. The favorable geographical environment, with double shale gas layers in Marcellus and Utica that yield butane and natural gas, along with its location in a hub where major U.S. clients are concentrated, provides excellent logistics for access to Europe and Latin America, which are reasons for the expansion. [Case Overview (Partial)] - Phase 1 Investment Amount: US$150 million - Location: Covestro New Martinsville Chemical Industrial Park, Marshall County - Phase 1 Construction Start: January 2023 - Production Start: Mid-2024 *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.

• Coating Agent

We would like to introduce the case of SPARKZ(CA) entering the manufacturing of cobalt-free recycled lithium-ion batteries at the company's first manufacturing plant. A suitable location for reengineering the battery supply chain. The workers to be employed have a good knowledge and awareness of labor safety from the coal industry, which is an important factor for battery manufacturing. [Case Overview (Partial)] ■ Location: Taylor County, WV ■ Factory Building: 482,000 Sqft. repurposed former glass factory ■ Number of Employees: Ultimately 350 ■ Battery Focus: Material handling, energy storage-related, EV *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.

• Lithium-ion battery

We would like to introduce a case where Gainwell Engineering established a new base for sales and after-sales service in North America. They have expanded as a base for sales of mining machinery products, spare parts sales, customer support, and parts repair, covering six countries including North America, Canada, and Mexico. The reasons for this expansion include the availability of suppliers, a strong will and enthusiasm among the workforce, and the ease of securing workers from the same industry due to the presence of many diligent mining laborers. 【Case Overview】 ■ Location: Hico, Fayette County ■ Expansion Type: Acquisition of vacant property ■ Employment: 40 people within 3 years *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.

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West Virginia offers a high-profit location for automotive parts manufacturers due to lower business taxes compared to neighboring states, a competitive wage environment, and abundant, low-cost utilities. The state provides tax credits, worker training support, loan programs, and other incentives to attract and promote the development of automotive manufacturing projects. Access to workers is ensured through educational and training programs, providing a stable supply of skilled labor. Additionally, various engineering bachelor's and master's programs are offered at West Virginia University, Marshall University, and other regional institutions. [About the Japan Representative Office of the West Virginia State Government] Our Japan office provides support services after entering the market, including market research, local property introductions, referrals to necessary professionals, and assistance with incentives, tax credits, job training, and recruitment. We offer the latest local information, so please feel free to consult with us. *We are currently publishing an "Automotive Industry Map" summarizing industry trends! Please check it out via PDF download.

• Other Auto Parts

The North American market continues to see business growth for chemical manufacturers. Production is being established closer to North American customers from regions such as Asia and Europe, aiming to mitigate export risks and reduce manufacturing and delivery times, leading to ongoing investments in North America. Our state, home to world-class chemical manufacturers, is also recognized by the American Chemical Society as the birthplace of the petrochemical industry. We are attracting investments from chemical manufacturers in Japan, Europe, and various countries. **Advantages of Expanding to West Virginia** - **Highly Competitive Business Costs**: Business costs, including taxes, salaries, and utilities, are lower than the national average. - **Market Location**: Over 50% of U.S. manufacturing bases are located within an 800 km radius centered around our state. - **Labor Force Support**: Financial support for recruitment and employee training, as well as human resources assistance. - **Investment Incentives**: Tax credits for manufacturing, assistance in finding factory sites and properties, financial support, and other resources. - **One-on-One Support**: Individual project support from staff based in Japan and headquarters personnel. *We offer a chemical industry map and materials introducing the benefits of expanding to our state! Please view them from the [PDF download].* *Chemical Materials 2022 Online Exhibition from October 17 to 28.*

• Chemicals

West Virginia, which resonates with some people through the famous song "Country Roads." But how many know how beneficial it is for automotive manufacturers and their suppliers? The automotive industry is thriving in this state, with major companies, including Toyota, strengthening their investments. There are numerous well-known companies with manufacturing bases, and the location offers advantages such as proximity to assembly plants. **Five Reasons Why Many Japanese Companies Invest in West Virginia** (1) Competitive Business Costs… Business costs, including taxes, wages, and utilities, are lower than the national average. (2) Market Location… It is at the center of the automotive industry corridor running from the Midwest to the South of North America. (3) Workforce Support… Financial support for recruitment and employee training, as well as human resources assistance. (4) Investment Incentives… Tax credits for manufacturing, assistance in finding factory sites and properties, financial support, and other assistance. (5) One-on-One Support… Individual project support from staff based in Japan and staff at the West Virginia headquarters. *Currently, we have released materials introducing the benefits of corporate expansion into West Virginia. Please feel free to view them from the [PDF Download] link below.*

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West Virginia maintains many advantages that have attracted multinational corporations regarding infrastructure and supplies, while structural changes are further enhancing its competitiveness as a center for chemicals and polymers in the world. Chemical industrial parks across the state provide access to various shared services and co-location within the parks, along with excellent infrastructure and existing permits. West Virginia is located about two hours inland from Washington, D.C., and produces the raw materials necessary for the chemical and polymer industries. Together with the concentration of existing chemical plants, it offers companies reliable access to supplies from various sources. [About the Japan Representative Office of the West Virginia State Government] Our Japan office provides support services after entering the market, including market research, local property introductions, introductions to necessary professionals, and information on incentives, tax deductions, workforce training, and recruitment. We provide the latest local information, so please feel free to consult with us. *We are currently publishing an "Industry Trends: Chemical and Polymer Industry Map"! Please check it out via PDF download.

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West Virginia has thousands of skilled production and skilled workers, including metalworking machine operators, metalworking technicians, and machine assemblers. It is a state where labor rights laws (which give workers the option not to join a union) have been enacted, and the manufacturing industry turnover rate is low, falling below the average in all other worker categories (according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics industry report). Community and technical colleges in West Virginia offer courses such as "Advanced Manufacturing and Manufacturing Technology," cultivating a diverse set of technical skills. Additionally, advanced manufacturing technology centers and community/technical colleges across the state provide hands-on experiences and training opportunities for students and current employees. [About the Japan Representative Office of the West Virginia State Government] Our Japan office provides support services after entering the market, including market research, local property introductions, referrals to necessary professionals, incentives, tax credits, employment training, and recruitment. We offer the latest local information, so please feel free to consult with us. *We are currently publishing an "Industrial Trends Metal Industry Map"! Please check it out via PDF download.

• Other metal materials

From 2020 to 2021, West Virginia saw a net migration of over 2,000 people for the first time in decades, making it one of the top states in the nation for population growth. To supply the growing U.S. housing market, many companies from Asia and Europe have established manufacturing plants and logistics hubs, attracting significant investments in the building materials industry from both domestic and international sources in West Virginia. There is a diverse expansion of building materials industries, including insulation, hardwood flooring, kitchen cabinets, windows, doors, paints, coatings, and construction materials. Many of the companies entering the state cite reasons such as "good location," "availability of raw materials," and "low business costs." *There are advantages in tax deductions. 【About the Japan Representative Office of the West Virginia State Government】 Our office in Japan provides support services after entering the market, including market research, local property introductions, introductions to necessary professionals, and assistance with incentives, tax deductions, job training, and recruitment. We provide the latest local information, so please feel free to consult with us. *An "Industry Trends Map" summarizing the building materials industry is currently available! Please check it out through the PDF download.

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West Virginia, one of the 50 states in America, is located in the central eastern part of North America and is an area with a thriving manufacturing industry. When considering expansion into North America, you may start with choosing a convenient location, followed by selecting land and buildings, conducting local market research, obtaining environmental permits, finding housing for Japanese staff, assessing the local living environment, and researching starting salaries. You might be unsure about where and how to begin. We encourage you to take a look at this book, and if you believe that West Virginia is a convenient location for your clients, please consult with us at the West Virginia Japan Representative Office to move on to the next step. [Contents (excerpt)] - About the West Virginia Japan Representative Office - Services and support - Basic information - Features *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.

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Automobile parts manufacturers around the world have discovered that the path to success leads to West Virginia. Companies that supply and support the automotive industry will find a prepared workforce equipped with the skills needed in today’s market. Furthermore, in West Virginia, there is easy access to suppliers of raw materials necessary for the automotive industry, such as steel, aluminum, and chemicals/polymers. Automakers in the state can leverage research and technology resources such as nonprofit centers for alternative fuels, the National Alternative Fuel Training Consortium, and the Robert C. Byrd Advanced Flexible Manufacturing Institute (RCBI). For more details, please download the catalog from the link below.

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Workers in West Virginia are overwhelming other states with their diligent work ethic, as well as their low absenteeism and turnover rates. - The turnover rate in manufacturing is 6%. - Business costs are 14% lower than the national average, which is the fourth lowest in the nation according to the credit rating agency Moody's. - Industrial electricity rates belong to the states with the lowest in the nation, being 12% lower than the national average. - About half of the total U.S. population and approximately 30% of the total Canadian population live within an 800 km radius, allowing for next-day delivery by truck to these areas. - Programs at community colleges and technical colleges are in place to meet business needs. Additionally, the good safety and low cost of living add value to businesses. The cost of living is 86% of the national average. For those interested in more details, please download the catalog from the link below.

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The Appalachian region has been inhabited by Native Americans since ancient times, but European settlement began in the 1700s, primarily by Germans, Scots, and Irish who moved from Pennsylvania and Virginia. West Virginia was originally part of Virginia, but during the Civil War, the western part of the state, which opposed slavery, separated and became independent, becoming the 35th state of the United States on June 20, 1863. After independence, the state benefited from the Appalachian Mountains, and its economy developed due to the mineral resources produced there. The minerals produced at that time included coal, saltpeter, lime, and rock salt, with coal being particularly significant as it could be transported in large quantities by the railroads that developed after the Civil War, supplying the entire nation. Today, in addition to coal, the extraction of natural gas and shale gas is actively taking place, contributing to the state's economy. For those interested in more details, please download the catalog from the link below.

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From the steel Bessemer converters of the 1880s to today's 3D printers, metals have long been an essential component of West Virginia's thriving manufacturing industry. West Virginia has built strong connections between abundant raw materials, a skilled metalworking workforce, and a supportive business environment. The state offers a supply of primary and processed metals, machinery, and other components necessary for metalworking and machinery manufacturing. It is home to over 4,000 regional suppliers of the required materials and thousands of skilled production and craft workers, particularly metalworking machine operators, metal manufacturers, and machinery assemblers. For more details, please download the catalog from the link below.

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Chemical and polymer companies have thrived in West Virginia for generations. Many of the advantages that attracted multinational corporations still exist, but structural changes are further enhancing West Virginia's competitiveness as a global hub for chemicals and polymers. The state is located in the heart of the Appalachian Basin, sitting atop abundant natural gas fields in the Marcellus and Utica shales. Active chemical industrial parks offer the benefits of co-location and shared services, such as existing permits and infrastructure. Additionally, West Virginia is home to numerous nonprofit and federal research institutions in the fields of materials science and chemical engineering. For those interested in more details, please download the catalog from the link below.

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The timber industry in West Virginia generates $3.2 billion annually for the state's economy, providing over 30,000 jobs within the state and offering 12 million acres of forest and 75 billion board feet of timber inventory. West Virginia is the second-best hardwood state in the U.S., with the timber industry being a part of the employer landscape in each of its 55 counties. The manufacturing sector of wood products includes loggers, sawmills, dry kilns, producers of rustic rail fences, veneer plants, manufacturers of furniture parts, kitchen cabinets, and other wooden furniture. For more details, please download the catalog from the link below.

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West Virginia serves as an energy hub for both the national and global economy. The state ranks fifth in the nation for total energy production. West Virginia is the second-largest coal producer in the country and the seventh-largest natural gas producer. Renewable energy sources, such as hydroelectric power and wind energy, account for 4.6% of the state's net electricity generation. West Virginia is located in the heart of the Appalachian Basin, where abundant natural gas is stored in the Marcellus, Rogersville, and Utica shale formations. Its convenient location is ideal for companies looking to be close to natural gas storage fields, gathering lines, and transmission lines. West Virginia was one of the first states in the region to establish clear rules to protect the interests of the environment, landowners, and industry, creating a framework for drilling regulations. For more details, please download the catalog from the link below.

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The architectural products industry in West Virginia boasts a skilled workforce, abundant construction materials, and dedicated support services necessary for the construction industry to build a strong foundation for success. 1. West Virginia, covered by 1.9 million acres of forest, is the third most forested state in the United States. With its abundant timber products, West Virginia has become a major producer of hardwoods. The state also has rich resources such as coal and limestone for cement production. Many coal-fired power plants found in West Virginia are creating opportunities for companies that manufacture wallboard. The West Virginia Wood Technology Center offers training programs in advanced wood manufacturing technologies, preparing the state to support future construction. For those interested in more details, please download the catalog from the link below.

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