WVVA TV Bluefield Beckley WV News, Weather and SportsGov. promotes W.Va. in Houston for 'cracker' plant

Gov. promotes W.Va. in Houston for 'cracker' plant

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) -- A trip to Houston is leaving West Virginia officials optimistic about attracting a multibillion-dollar chemical plant to the state.

Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin led Thursday's visit to potential investors who could help create an estimated 12,000 West Virginia jobs.

Houston-based Shell and a second company each plan to build a cracker plant in the region. These facilities convert or crack the molecules in a byproduct from Marcellus shale natural gas into a widely used chemical compound.

West Virginia officials say the state remains a contender. Ohio and Pennsylvania are also competing for a plant.

Tomblin's trip came one day after the Legislature passed his proposal to slash a cracker's property taxes for 25 years. A company must invest at least $2 billion in the project. Tomblin signed the bill Thursday.