08-03-2025
Manufacturing making gains in West Virginia's eastern panhandle
KEARNEYSVILLE, () — West Virginia's eastern panhandle is experiencing a boom in manufacturing, with Jefferson County being part of the state's fastest-growing region.
TeMa Manufacturing is a big reason.
Four years ago, the company expanded to the county from its corporate home in Italy, making insulation and drainage systems for residential, commercial and industrial use.
'We had a couple of years struggling a little bit,' said Salvatore Menna, CEO of TeMa North America. 'But now we are on a good track.'
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When the company first explored a location in the area, Larry Pack was an adviser to Gov. Jim Justice. Now, he is state treasurer.
'It's just really exciting to see the jobs that TeMa has brought to West Virginia,' he said. 'They are an Italian-based company and they are working hard to expand here.'
Manufacturing is on the rise in the region, with Clorox, Commercial Metals Corporation, Rockwool Building Insulation and Treplar Packaging all expanding their operations.
'The growth in this eastern panhandle – this is the job-creation center of West Virginia by far,' Pack said.
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