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

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 hub 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 central area where major U.S. clients are concentrated, provides excellent logistics for distribution to Europe and Latin America, which are the 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.

• Other resource recycling

SPARKZ (CA) introduces its first manufacturing facility for the production of cobalt-free recycled lithium-ion batteries. A suitable location for re-engineering the battery supply chain. The workers employed have a strong 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 ■ Facility Size: 482,000 Sqft. repurposed former glass factory ■ Number of Employees: Ultimately 350 ■ Battery Focus: Material handling, energy storage, EV *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.

• Other Batteries

We would like to introduce a case where Gainwell Engineering established a new base for sales and after-sales service in North America. The company has expanded as a hub 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 and the presence of strong-willed, enthusiastic, and hardworking mining laborers, making it easier for the company to secure workers in the same industry. 【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.

• Drilling Machine

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 promote the attraction and 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, introductions to necessary professionals, and assistance with incentives, tax credits, job training, and recruitment. We offer up-to-date 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.

• Parts and Materials

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 hubs are located within an 800 km radius of our state. - **Labor Force Support**: Financial assistance and human support for recruitment and employee training. - **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 staff. *We offer a chemical industry map and materials outlining the benefits of expanding to our state! Please check the [PDF download] for more information.* *Chemical Materials 2022 Online Exhibition from October 17 to 28.*

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West Virginia, which resonates with some people through the famous song "Country Roads." But how many know how beneficial it is for automotive suppliers? The automotive industry is thriving in this state, with major companies, including Toyota, strengthening their investments. There are advantages such as many well-known companies having numerous manufacturing bases and being located close 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… A central hub on the automotive industry highway running from the Midwest to the South of North America. (3) Workforce Support… Financial support for recruitment and employee training, as well as human support. (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 are sharing materials that outline 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 global center for chemicals and polymers. Chemical industrial parks across the state provide access to various shared services and co-location, along with excellent infrastructure and existing permits. West Virginia is located about two hours inland from Washington, D.C., producing the raw materials necessary for the chemical and polymer industries, and, combined with the concentration of existing chemical plants, 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, referrals to necessary professionals, and information on incentives, tax credits, workforce training, and recruitment. We offer the latest local information, so please feel free to consult with us. *We are currently publishing a "Chemical and Polymer Industry Map" summarizing industry trends! Please check it out through the PDF download.

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West Virginia has thousands of skilled production and technical 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 sector has a low turnover rate, which is below 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 office in Japan offers support services for businesses looking to enter the market, including market research, local property introductions, referrals to necessary professionals, and post-entry support services such as incentives, tax credits, job training, and recruitment. We provide 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.

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Between 2020 and 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 U.S. for population growth. To supply the growing U.S. housing market, many companies from Asia and Europe have established manufacturing plants and logistics hubs, and West Virginia has attracted significant investments from both domestic and international building materials industries. There is a diverse range of building materials industries, including insulation, hardwood flooring, kitchen cabinets, windows, doors, paints, coatings, and construction materials. Many of the companies entering the market 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 entry, 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. *We are currently publishing an "Building Materials Industry Map" summarizing industry trends! Please check it out via PDF download.

• Exterior and paving materials <General>

West Virginia, one of the 50 states in America, is located in the central eastern part of North America and is an active manufacturing region. 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, arranging housing for Japanese staff, assessing the local living environment, and researching starting salaries. You might find yourself wondering where and how to begin. We invite you to take a look at this booklet, and if you believe that West Virginia is a convenient location for your clients, please consult with our West Virginia Japan Representative Office to move on to the next step. [Contents (excerpt)] - About the West Virginia Japan Representative Office - Services and support offered - Basic information - Features *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.

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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 is equipped with the supply of primary and processed metals, machinery, and other components necessary for metalworking and machinery manufacturing. It is the hub of over 4,000 regional suppliers of the required materials and is home to thousands of skilled production and craft workers, particularly metalworking machine operators, metal manufacturers, and machinery assemblers. For those interested in more details, please download the catalog 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 more details, please download the catalog 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 employment 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 components, kitchen cabinets, and other wooden furniture. For more details, please download the catalog below.

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West Virginia functions 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 buried 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, 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 those interested in 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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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, engines, and emissions, the National Alternative Fuel Training Consortium, and the Robert C. Byrd Advanced Flexible Manufacturing Institute (RCBI). For those interested in more details, please download the catalog from the link below.

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Workers in West Virginia are overwhelming those in other states with their sincere 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 third-party rating agency Moody's. - Industrial electricity rates belong to the states with the lowest in the nation, being 12% lower than the national average. - Within an 800 km radius, approximately half of the total U.S. population and about 30% of the total Canadian population reside, allowing for next-day delivery by truck to these areas. - Community colleges and technical college programs are established to meet business needs. Additionally, the good security and low cost of living add value to businesses. The cost of living is 86% of the national average. For 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. Starting in the 1700s, European settlement began, 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, joining the United States as the 35th state on June 20, 1863. After gaining independence, the state benefited from the Appalachian Mountains, and its economy developed due to the mineral resources extracted there. The minerals produced at that time included coal, saltpeter, limestone, 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. If you are interested in more details, please download the catalog from the link below.

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