Governor Morrissey announced that Alcon, a global leader in eye care, will significantly expand its operations in Cabell County. Investment amount: US$81 million Location: Cabell County New jobs: 75 Average annual salary for new positions: US$80,000 Current number of employees at the WV plant: approximately 620 Products manufactured at the WV plant: Intraocular lenses and intraocular lens delivery systems used worldwide in cataract and vision correction surgeries. The plant also exports to overseas markets. Alcon (headquartered in Switzerland) is the world's largest manufacturer of intraocular lenses used in cataract surgeries. "The company has been operating in West Virginia for decades, and this decision reinforces the high confidence in West Virginia's robust infrastructure and excellent workforce." (Governor's statement) [Governor's announcement on March 26, 2026: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_67SjZUFQk]

Full-scale entry into the North American market! We are pleased to announce that Asuene has acquired "Iconic Air," a startup that has grown out of West Virginia University in the United States. ■ Background of the acquisition: Currently, the North American oil and gas industry is facing stricter penalties for greenhouse gas emission violations, making accurate monitoring a top priority. ■ Strategic synergy: By integrating Iconic Air's advanced "methane leak management" and "asset tracking tools" with Asuene's platform, we will be able to provide a world-class environmental data management system that addresses both CO2 and methane. The fusion of ASUENE's expertise and Iconic Air's real-time emissions analysis will promote digital sustainability across North America. [Announced by Asuene on October 23, 2025 / Metro News, October 26, 2025] #Asuene #ASUENE #IconicAir #M&A #Decarbonization #GX #CarbonNeutral #Startup #NorthAmericanExpansion #MethaneManagement #GreenhouseGases #ESG #WestVirginia #SaaS

A plan to increase baseload power generation from 15.9 gigawatts to 50 gigawatts by 2050, tripling generation capacity. Governor Patrick Morrisey expressed optimism about several economic development plans. Speaking at the Energy Summit held in Charleston, Morrisey stated that private sector investments amount to $4.2 billion. The governor emphasized the goal of the "50 by 50 Power Plan," which aims to increase West Virginia's current baseload power generation from 15.9 gigawatts to 50 gigawatts by 2050, more than tripling generation capacity. The governor pointed out the following initiatives: • A $2.5 billion natural gas power plant by FirstEnergy • $1.44 billion for the extension of coal-fired power plants by major utility companies • A $1.2 billion gas-fired power plant by Kindel Energy, Blackstone, and GE Vernova • $70 million for gas well sealing measures from diverse energy sources • A $400 million expansion by Ergon • A $7 million investment by Bidell Gas Compression (November 13, 2025, Metro News)

Governor Patrick Morrisey expressed gratitude for Toyota's announcement of an additional investment of $453 million (approximately 68 billion yen) in its manufacturing plant in Buffalo, West Virginia. This significant investment not only demonstrates a commitment to the local economy but will also create 80 new jobs at the facility. Governor Morrisey stated, "This ongoing investment is a strong testament to Toyota's confidence in our state's economy and workforce. We take pride in seeing Toyota continue to grow in West Virginia." He added, "We thank Toyota for believing in our state's workers, communities, and the shared future we have." Details of the investment: Investment amount: $453 million New jobs: 80 Purpose: Increased production of four-cylinder hybrid-compatible engines, and increased production of the sixth-generation hybrid transaxle and rear motor stator Start date: Production capacity expansion planned for 2027 Toyota West Virginia is a key hub in global hybrid technology, assembling over one million engines, transmissions, and hybrid transaxles annually. (Announcement by the governor on November 18, 2025)

West Virginia will exhibit at Automotive World 2026 in Tokyo. Event Dates: January 21 (Wed) to January 23 (Fri), 2026, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM Location: Tokyo Big Sight, West Exhibition Hall Booth Number: W10-82 Top-level automotive parts manufacturers are already located within the state, and a robust supply chain has been established. The abundance of natural resources necessary for EV battery manufacturing, the vast land available for large-scale factory construction and operation, and competitive electricity supply provide significant advantages for manufacturers. For specific inquiries regarding expansion and investment, a specialized team from the United States, along with Japanese staff, will be available to answer questions on-site. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to hear directly from two automotive parts manufacturers, Diamond Electric Holdings Co., Ltd. and Japan Thermostat Co., Ltd., who are already operating in West Virginia, about their products, technologies, and business activities in the U.S. Why not find your next business growth opportunity in North America, West Virginia? We sincerely look forward to your visit.

According to a survey by the residential news site "Realtor.com," West Virginia has been announced as the state with the lowest property taxes in the nation. The state’s median is just $728 per year, which is about one-fifth of the national median of $3,500. This allows for a dramatic reduction in corporate real estate-related costs. In addition, low energy costs and competitive labor costs enable overall low-cost operations.

Introducing the Shortest Route to Entering the U.S. Market At Chemical Materials Japan 2025, the West Virginia Department of Economic Development will support the expansion of North American business for those in the chemical and manufacturing industries. >>------------------------------------------------------------------------<< Date and Time: November 27 (Thursday) to 28 (Friday), 2025, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM Location: Tokyo Big Sight, South Exhibition Hall Booth Number: C-12 >>------------------------------------------------------------------------<< West Virginia, the birthplace of the U.S. petrochemical industry and an important manufacturing hub certified by the American Chemistry Council. We will directly introduce you to the latest information on its highly competitive investment environment and major industrial parks. We sincerely look forward to your visit! *If you have decided on your visit date and time, please register through the link below for more details and application.