CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — Gov.-elect Jim Justice spoke with President-elect Donald Trump Saturday about the future of West Virginia.
“I’ve known the Trump family forever,” Justice said. “Eric (one of Trump’s sons) and I hunt together. It was actually Eric who called me. He said he was calling to congratulate me, then he told me he had someone there who wanted to speak with me, and he handed his phone to Donald.”
Justice said he and Trump congratulated each other on their election wins, then spoke about some of the economic opportunities in the state.
Trump asked about clean coal technology, and said that was an area he would like to focus on improving and implementing, Justice said.
Justice and Trump also discussed the fact that West Virginia and its residents are struggling and in need of jobs and economic opportunities.
“It was a really positive conversation,” Justice said. “I really am excited about working with the new president, and I really do believe that he’s going to bring some great opportunities to West Virginia. I will do everything in my power to accelerate those opportunities.”
Justice said his familiarity with the Trump family would help him as West Virginia’s next governor.
“We have a path to the presidency from West Virginia,” Justice said. “That doesn’t happen very often. We’ve got a pathway to the presidency and to all the regulatory agencies like the EPA — and I’ll be plugged in.
“I’ll be able to help us. My relationship with the Trump family will really help us. It will give me the opportunity to have input on regulatory agencies, clean coal technology, tourism, all the things that can help us.”
Justice said he was excited about the many opportunities in West Virginia, adding that none of them could be ignored.
“There’s so many things — from timber to tourism to education to coal and natural gas — we don’t need to leave any of those off the table,” Justice said. “We can’t forget furniture manufacturing right here in West Virginia. We can’t forget tourism should be exploding in West Virginia. We need a lot more than just coal, but it would be nice to get our miners back to work, too.
“I do really believe that with this fast pathway that we have to the federal government that we’ll be able to move the needle and move it dramatically,” Justice added. “That’s what I want to do. We’re going to move West Virginia from last place to first place. I just think that we can be very special.”
Justice also commented on the planned expansion of the Bombardier Air Center at North Central West Virginia Airport in Bridgeport.
“It’s just unbelievable,” Justice said. “Things are already starting to move forward, and we’re going to keep them moving.”