25 Japanese Executives Tour West Virginia Sites as Wood County Seeks New Industrial Investment
Updated
Updated · WTAP · Jul 15
25 Japanese Executives Tour West Virginia Sites as Wood County Seeks New Industrial Investment
3 articles · Updated · WTAP · Jul 15
Summary
A 25-member Japanese business delegation visited Wood County industrial sites this week, giving West Virginia officials a rare chance to pitch the region directly to potential foreign investors.
The tour, organized by the Polymer Alliance Zone, includes leaders from 15 companies across industries and stops at Davisville, WVU Parkersburg’s Technology and Innovation Center, Chemours Washington Works, Hino and a Jackson County site.
SOMAR President Futoshi Sotani helped assemble the group after his company moved into the Polymer Alliance Zone in 2024, saying many Japanese firms were unfamiliar with West Virginia’s advantages.
Wood County put up $15,000 to sponsor the visit, while local officials said any factory commitments could still take months or years even if the meetings build momentum for future jobs.