Oceanetics to Double Staff at Pineville Plant With State Aid

West Virginia’s manufacturing sector is receiving a targeted boost in Wyoming County as state officials finalize support for a major industrial expansion. Governor Patrick Morrisey announced on Wednesday that the West Virginia Infrastructure and Jobs Development Council will assist the John D. Rockefeller Industrial Park to facilitate this growth.

The primary benefit of this agreement is the creation of 25 new full-time positions for Oceanetics. This addition will expand the company’s current workforce from 20 to 45 employees. The new roles will focus on skilled trades and technical fields, specifically welding, machining, fabrication, and engineering.

Oceanetics plans to invest $1.2 million in specialized manufacturing equipment to support the increased production. The company currently produces advanced maritime buoy systems, naval defense equipment, and port security technologies for the U.S. Navy and the energy sector. This investment follows the firm’s 2018 acquisition of Truston Technologies and its ongoing presence in the county.

The physical expansion involves the construction of a new 15,000-square-foot facility in Pineville. The property is owned and managed by the Wyoming County Economic Development Authority. Christy Laxton, the executive director of the local economic development authority, stated that the state provided the final financing needed to move the project forward.

Governor Morrisey noted that the state possesses the skilled workforce and resources required to attract such manufacturers. He emphasized that the investment would strengthen Southern West Virginia’s manufacturing economy. Construction on the new building is expected to begin shortly, with the facility scheduled to open in fall 2027.