In late August, West Virginia governor Jim Justice announced that a $35 million investment from a charcoal company featured on the TV show ‘Shark Tank’ would be coming to Upshur County, bringing with it 75 much-needed jobs.
But on Tuesday, Justice said that Prime 6, ‘a leading innovator in sustainable wood products,’ would no longer be locating its manufacturing facility in the heart of West Virginia but would instead be headed 45 miles north to Fairmont.
“This investment is a shining example of West Virginia’s growing and strengthening economy, and how our state has caught the attention of the world,” Justice said in a press release issued Tuesday. “Companies from across the globe are seeing the incredible opportunities here and choosing to put down roots in the Mountain State. I couldn’t be happier to welcome Prime 6 and Kevin O’Leary to Fairmont and celebrate this exciting milestone with them.”
O’Leary is one of the ‘Shark Tank’ hosts.
Just a few months ago, Prime 6 was primed to move into the former Novelis plant in Buckhannon, helping replace the significant job losses that occurred when the rolled aluminum products plant closed in June.
“I am extremely proud to welcome Prime 6 to Upshur County and West Virginia,” Justice said at the time. “Wood has always been a part of our rich history, shaping our economy and way of life for generations. Prime 6’s decision to put down roots with their new facility not only carries on that rich tradition but proves we are the best place to be for growing forward-thinking, sustainable businesses. This facility will bring incredible good-paying jobs to the hardest working group of people Prime 6 could invest in.”
However, Justice said unspecified ‘environmental challenges’ led Prime 6 to abandon their plans to come to Upshur County.
“While the original location for the project was announced in Upshur County during the West Virginia Chamber Business Summit, it was ultimately deemed infeasible due to environmental challenges that would have required extensive and costly remediation, delaying progress significantly,” Tuesday’s press release said.
Prime 6 is known for its innovative approach to upcycling wood waste, converting it into premium products for the hospitality industry. All of its products are USDA-certified.
“Our products are crafted through the innovative process of upcycling wood waste, effectively cleaning up waste and significantly reducing the need for tree-cutting for the hospitality industry,” the woman-owned business states on its website. “Our proprietary manufacturing methods ensure emissions-free production.”
The business was launched in 2018, and founders Riki and Oron Franco appeared on the TV show Shark Tank in 2020, where they secured a $200,000 investment from O’Leary in return for a 25% equity stake in the company.
“Prime 6 is thrilled to bring new job opportunities to Fairmont while advancing our mission to create sustainable solid fuel solutions,” Oron Franco, COO of Prime 6, said in the release distributed by Justice.
“This is a sign of the great things to come in Fairmont,” added city manager Travis L. Blosser. “We at the city are still pushing forward with our plans of recreational development and opportunities, but the arrival of a manufacturing facility in our backyard will diversify our opportunities.”
