A positive economic impact in the region
We are proud to be a positive and contributing member of the Jefferson County community. For starters, the economic impact of a new manufacturing facility in West Virginia goes well beyond the fences of the ROCKWOOL factory.
According to the West Virginia Manufacturer’s Association, manufacturing employs approximately seven percent of the workforce and for every $1.00 spent in manufacturing, another $1.40 is added to the economy. That figure makes manufacturing provide the highest level of downstream economic benefits of any sector.
Based on our own experiences in North America and around the world – and independent expert economic modelling – we can say that the new manufacturing facility will generate local employment, revenue for local business, and additional household income and taxes for municipal projects.
Don't have time to read the full page right now? No problem. For your convenience you can download a PDF version of our Community and Economic Impact Fact Sheet and get the information you need.
New local employment
The Ranson facility represents a $203 million investment in the community, in addition to the approximately $64 million in payroll over the next 10 years for the new direct manufacturing jobs created across all trades (from the production line to management and supervisors). All but a small handful of these positions that have requirements for specialized skills are expected to be filled by area residents.
For every direct job we hire for at the plant, there’s typically an additional job created in service, technical, trucking, and manufacturing of raw materials jobs – an estimated $5 million annually in local economic activity, largely due to an increased demand for services. For starters, the economic impact of a new manufacturing facility in West Virginia goes well beyond the fences of the ROCKWOOL factory.
New opportunities for local businesses
Around 90 percent of our business is local meaning that we produce close to our customers and we are dedicated to building supplier relationships and sourcing products and services from businesses across Jefferson County and the region.
This includes opportunities for full-time and seasonal contracts that will be provided across areas such as catering and food services, cleaning, landscaping, maintenance and trade services, and waste removal, among other areas. For more information and to submit an application for your business, visit our vendor and supplier application page.
A new source of tax revenue
Our new Ranson facility is contributing to a broader tax base to support publicly-funded activities and priorities in the county. Under the sale-leaseback agreement with the West Virginia Economic Development Authority, ROCKWOOL has promised to make at least $2,752,600 in voluntary contribution payments during the first ten years of operations. Beginning in year 11 of factory operations, we will be paying approximately $1 million annually.
Our tax dollars, including B&O taxes, will be utilized to support such public services as the Ranson Police Department and Parks & Recreation. In addition, roughly 75 percent of the property taxes collected for Jefferson County are distributed to the Jefferson County Board of Education – representing approximately 40 percent of the school system’s budget. There is also a portion that is used by the State of West Virginia as part of the General Revenue Budget.
Manufacturing and production job opportunities at ROCKWOOL
In Ranson, we have jobs in operations, engineering, maintenance and trades, and site leadership.
Working at ROCKWOOL
We are a market-leading, global company with a proud 80-year history of innovation. Our products have a positive impact on global challenges like climate change and urbanization, and so can you. When you join ROCKWOOL Group, you become part of a global market leader in sustainable solutions to some of the world’s biggest challenges.
Are you up for the challenge? We’re looking for talented individuals just like you.
Supporting local suppliers
As the facility gets up and running, we’ll be looking for local suppliers to support a variety of needs, including catering and food services, cleaning, freight, landscaping and snow removal, and waste removal.
Supporting local programs, charities and causes
ROCKWOOL North America has made philanthropy and corporate social responsibility an integral part of our mandate since opening our first manufacturing facility and North American headquarters in Milton, Ontario, Canada in 1988. Our employees are also very engaged with volunteering for causes near and dear to them as well, which we fully endorse.
In Jefferson County, we’re continuing that legacy. We're proud to be an active member of the community and are pleased to invest in infrastructure and programs that support the wellbeing and prosperity of the local area, home to many current and future employees of the Ranson facility.
We strongly believe in the importance of good stewardship of community relationships and have already partnered to date with a number of local organizations in the area including:
For more information, download our ROCKWOOL Corporate Social Responsibility Fact Sheet.
Resources
Supporting information about involvement from ROCKWOOL both within Jefferson County, WV and in other communities where we operate.
Corporate Social Responsibility in Jefferson County Fact Sheet
Apr 2, 2019: ROCKWOOL helps promote fire safety with donation to Jefferson County Fire and Rescue Association