Weirton-Steubenville area ranked 3rd in construction job growth

The Weirton-Steubenville Metropolitan Area — Brooke and Hancock counties in the Northern Panhandle and Jefferson County, Ohio — ranked third in the nation in construction growth, according to a report by the Associated General Contractors. AGC found a gain of 16 percent, or 300 jobs, between November 2015 and November 2016, for the Weirton-Steubenville area. The report said the percentage increase from 1,900 to 2,200 construction jobs was less than only three other markets — Boise City, Idaho; El Centro, Calif., and Albany, Ore. Pat Ford, executive director of the Business Development Corporation of the Northern Panhandle, said the area's strong construction job growth “(sends) a message across the country that the Ohio River Valley is one of the best places for businesses to grow and create new opportunities.” “By creating strong partnerships and making strategic investments, we have been able to diversify our economy, increase investments, and stabilize the unemployment rate,” Ford said. Ford said new construction — in Weirton, the Three Springs Business Park, Village at Colliers Way, Three Springs Drive, and Penco Road, Eagle Manufacturing in Wellsburg, the Beech Bottom Industrial Park, Ergon and Mountaineer Casino in Newell, Rock Springs Business Park in Chester and Franciscan Square in Steubenville have contributed in large part to the construction gains. “The Ohio River Valley is one of the best places in the region to get a good job, BDC Chairman William D'Alesio said, adding BDC has been focused on creating partnerships “that encourage economic opportunities and position our tri-county area as a great place for business.” http://www.theet.com/statejournal/weirton-steubenville-area-ranked-rd-in-construction-job-growth/article_2bc313f8-82c0-5050-ba48-054c343f4bcd.html