BUCKHANNON – The executive director of the Upshur County Development Authority said Thursday the Buckhannon-Upshur area has never been home to a unique company quite like Prime 6.
Yet, at the same time, UCDA director Brandon Tenney said Prime 6 – an innovator in high-performing clean fuels for the hospitality industry featured on the TV show “Shark Tank” – would fit right in with the local economy.
On Wednesday, Governor Jim Justice’s Office announced Prime 6 plans to invest $35 million to establish a manufacturing facility in the former Novelis plant that is expected to generate approximately 75 jobs.
“Given the workforce that we have drawn here, the location just makes sense for a manufacturing firm, and also, there’s a big wood industry in our area, and obviously, that’s going to be a need for Prime 6,” Tenney said. “To have those resources readily available, it just makes sense to have such a great fit.”
Tenney also said Prime 6 is a unique industry that will set Upshur County apart.
“I think it’s an awesome thing to bring them into Upshur County,” he said. “It’s something that not everywhere is going to have, and it’s just, once again, going to set us apart.”
Most importantly, the investment will help recoup some of the 80 jobs when the Novelis plant along Route 20 South officially closed its doors this past June, Tenney said.
“This means a lot to the county, and the impact is going to be huge,” Tenney said. “Seventy-five jobs coming into Upshur County is just an invaluable resource that we absolutely need.”
“The impact of the jobs they’re going to be here, as well as some of the other resources and what they’ll be able to offer, is just outstanding for Upshur County,” he added. “We’re excited to continue working with them and to continue working with the State Department of Economic Development to just continue working on this plan.”
Prime 6 is prioritizing hiring former Novelis employees, too, Tenney said.
Tenney said anyone who lost their job when Novelis closed should email him their resume and contact information to him directly at brandon@upshurda.com.
“Make sure to note that you were a former Novelis employee,” he said.
Prime 6 and Novelis have been in communication as well.
“I know some members of the Novelis team and Prime 6 have already talked, and one of the questions that was asked was about the loss of jobs and who is still available as far as the workforce goes,” Tenney said. “I do know that some of the individuals from Novelis found other jobs, but a big thing Prime 6 is excited for is to try to get those jobs recouped.”
“Anybody who has any questions in regards to that can send their inquiries to the UCDA, and I will get in touch with Riki (Franco, founder and chief executive officer of Prime 6) to show her the workforce that we have,” he added.
According to its website, Prime 6 is renowned for its unique approach to upcycling wood waste, transforming it into high-quality products for the hospitality industry, and the company’s products are all U.S. Department of Agriculture-administration approved.
Tenney explained how Upshur County attracted Prime 6, saying the West Virginia Economic Development Office had inquired about a site with certain specifications.
“They got working on it right away and got Prime 6 in touch with us and the company, and Riki was able to come down for a site visit, and when she came down, she really fell in love with the place,” Tenney recounted. “She loved everything about it. She loved the site, she loved the county.”
“She loved all the resources that were here and the potential ones that are available, so all the credit to [West Virginia Economic Development] Secretary Carmichael and his team, as well as Prime 6, for being open to the location.”
Tenney hopes Prime 6’s location is “just the start.”
“There’s a possibility that this could have a snowball effect,” he said.
