WEIRTON, W.Va.—For decades, iron ore was shipped into a sprawling steel mill on the banks of the Ohio River near Pittsburgh. Iron deliveries will resume soon at the 55-acre site, this time as a key ingredient in batteries fueled by green energy.

Instead of being turned into steel, the iron rusts when exposed to oxygen. The chemical reaction discharges electricity that can power homes and businesses for 100 consecutive hours, according to the company.

When these iron batteries are tapped out, they will be recharged with renewable power, turning the rust back into iron. The batteries are designed to absorb large amounts of electricity when the sun is shining and the wind is blowing, adding resiliency to power grids. The Wall Street Journal

West Virginia first launched a program to attract remote workers back in April 2021 and has received 33,000 applications over the past two-plus years.

Since then, 272 people have made the move to the state, taking advantage of West Virginia’s Ascend program that offers $12,000 in relocation cash over a two-year period, a $2,500 outdoor recreation package, free coworking space and more

The state ultimately aims to lure 1,000 new residents over a six-year period. It recently added the New River Gorge area to its list of four other areas in the state that are part of the program, which was funded by a $25 million gift to West Virginia University from former Intuit executive chairman and current Marshall University President Brad D. Smith and his wife, Alys.

West Virginia is one of dozens of states and cities across the country trying to lure remote workers with cash, perks and even free babysitting after the widespread shift to to remote work caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Houston Business Journal