В Вирджинии компания Warhead Industries переехала на бывший лесопильный завод, готовящийся к новой застройке

PRESTON COUNTY, W.Va. — Development at the former TAZ Sawmill site in Hazelton appears to continue making progress towards bringing in new businesses. Preston County Economic Development Authority Executive Director Robbie Baylor announced that county-based metal fabrication company Warhead Industries has officially moved into the 15,000 square foot facility after a near six-month-long move-in process. This is expected to be followed by ongoing work to extend utilities on the just over 41-acre property that is being supported through a $4 million Abandoned Mine Lands Economic Revitalisation (AMLER) program. “We do have a company on the site in the existing building, and they have five acres,'” said Baylor. “Warhead Industries, an existing Preston County business that needed additional space, when they found that we had property available, they requested to lease property.” The relocation of Warhead Industries to the former TAZ Sawmill site took place starting in early January, less than three months after the PCEDA purchased the site from Spirit Energy in late 2025. Once a lease was signed, the company relocated to the new offices by the start of the spring with electrical utility extensions completed at around the same time. “It took a few months for them to get moved in and then a few more months to get the three-phase power extended to the building,” said Baylor. “That was all completed in May.” According to Baylor, contractors associated with Enmark Energy will support the extension of natural gas lines on the property so that the majority of the former TAZ Sawmill site can be developable. This will coincide with the extension of water utilities, with the design work for the extension of water utilities scheduled to be completed within the next couple of months. The goal is to have both projects bid out and completed by the end of 2026. “We are currently working on the utility extensions, sewer and natural gas, both of those are finalising design and should be starting construction later this year,” said Baylor. Baylor also noted that business interest is expected to pick up on the former TAZ Sawmill site once the utility extensions are completed. The 41.8-acre site that is nearly all flat and that is located near Bruceton Mills also offers close highway connectivity due to the location near Interstate 68. With one local business already located on the site, PCEDA officials are optimistic about what will come of the Hazelton property. “We have not got the sewer and natural gas to the property yet, but I think once those utilities are in place, that’s going to make the property more interesting for development,” said Baylor.