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July 16, 2005
 
THE MANCHIN REPORT: Celebrating True Economic Ambassadors for West Virginia

[Image: gov-joe-manchin.jpg (5256 bytes)] The Hon. Joe Manchin, Gov.

by Joe Manchin
Governor of West Virginia
 
Charleston (HNN) - Last week, I joined Mr. Kazuo Kato, CEO of K.S. of West Virginia for an important economic development announcement, signaling that West Virginia is officially Open for Business.
 
K.S. of West Virginia and ASKA Corp., another Japan-based company, will invest $10 million to form a new joint venture to be known as A.K. of West Virginia. This new company will specialize in metal stamping of small- to medium-sized precision parts, welding and assembly for the automotive industry, creating 100 new jobs for the Jackson County economy. Construction will begin later this year on this new facility, which will be adjacent to the K.S. of West Virginia manufacturing facility in Ravenswood.
 
Mr. Kato and his family demonstrated their commitment to our state through this new investment, but they further demonstrated their affection and dedication to West Virginia's economic development efforts through a significant economic gift of $100,000 to the West Virginia Economic Development Corporation, part of the West Virginia Council for Community and Economic Development. I thank the Kato family for believing in West Virginia's workforce and for being a tremendous partner in our state's economic development efforts.
 
The history of our state's trade relationship with Japan is well documented, and Sen. Jay Rockefeller has played a very instrumental role in the development of this relationship. During my trade mission to Japan with Senator Rockefeller last month, we met with Mr. Kato to discuss his West Virginia investments and offered our support for his company. It was during that meeting, Mr. Kato discussed this joint-venture project in Jackson County, and we were very pleased.
 
K.S. of West Virginia provides parts for the assembly of oxygen sensors at another one of our state's important Japanese business partners, NGK Spark Plug's Pocatalico facility. NGK Spark Plugs Mfg (USA), Inc., West Virginia's first stand alone Japanese company, is a state-of-the-art manufacturing, inventory and distribution company that is dedicated to providing all customers with the finest products and services possible. With its steadfast workforce, NGK's West Virginia facility's productivity record is second to none -- ranking as one of the company's most productive plants in the world.
 
This just shows what we, working together, can accomplish -- creating jobs, providing great products and bettering our state, while setting high business standards. On behalf of West Virginia, it is truly a privilege to have both of these outstanding facilities located in the Mountain State, and I look forward to them experiencing many more years of success. In fact, mid-July marks the 10th Anniversary of NGK Spark Plugs Mfg (USA), Inc., commemorating its extraordinary growth and unwavering dedication to producing quality products.
 
Again, I thank the K.S. of West Virginia and ASKA Corp. and NGK Spark Plugs Mfg (USA) for investing in West Virginia, while raising the standard for quality customer service.
 

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