Pure Watercraft to open plant in West Virginia

West Virginia former steel plant will create 100 full-time jobs by the end of 2025

Pure Watercraft will manufacture electric-motor pontoon boats in West Virginia, Gov. Jim Justice announced.

The Seattle-based company will invest at least $5 million in a former steel plant in the Northern Panhandle community of Beech Bottom and expects to create more than 100 full-time jobs by the end of 2025, the governor's office said Wednesday.

The Pure Pontoon Boat is being developed in collaboration with General Motors Corp., Justice's office said in a news release.

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Company founder and CEO Andy Rebele said Pure Watercraft plans to start building and fulfilling orders at the plant in early 2023.

Pure Watercraft is opening a plant where the company will manufacture electric-motor pontoon boats in West Virginia. (Fox News)

Electric boating has been embraced by celebrities like Drake, Robert De Niro and Greta Thunberg, according to Montreal-based Vision Marine Technologies. Many tour operators have turned to electric boats, and so have cities for rental and water taxis.

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Many waters have been designated marine protected areas — 26% in the United States, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration — which ban motorized boats. Many allow electric boats because they are cleaner and emit no sound.