Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.
Today is Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026.
#1 – From THE COOL DOWN – Form Energy keeps growing in Weirton
On the former grounds of one of America’s great steel mills, a new generation of West Virginia manufacturing is taking shape.
Form Energy’s Form Factory 1 in Weirton manufactures iron-air batteries designed to store electricity for up to 100 hours, providing multi-day energy storage for the nation’s power grid.
The company continues to expand its West Virginia operation as demand for the technology grows. Form Factory 1 employs about 400 people today, with plans to grow the facility and ultimately support more than 750 employees.
The factory sits on the former Weirton Steel site, once one of America’s largest steelmaking operations. Now, iron is again at the center of manufacturing in Weirton, this time in technology designed for the electric grid of the future.
Read more:
https://www.thecooldown.com/green-business/form-energy-expands-west-virginia-battery-factory/
#2 – From WV PRESS – Dinosaurs and putt-putt return to Princeton
Some familiar dinosaurs are making a comeback in Mercer County.
The City of Princeton purchased the former Reel Catch property on Brick Street with the help of a $1 million contribution from the Preservati Family Foundation and has been working to bring the recreation destination back to life.
The property includes a miniature golf course, pond, walking opportunities and, perhaps most importantly for longtime visitors, its collection of giant dinosaurs, including a 20-foot animatronic T-Rex.
The city has refurbished the dinosaurs and miniature golf course, while plans have also moved forward for a restaurant at the property. The larger vision connects Reel Catch with Princeton’s nearby recreational development, creating another destination for families and visitors.
#3 – From WV EXPLORER – Connecting mountain towns to the Mon Forest
Imagine leaving a small West Virginia downtown on foot and minutes later finding yourself in nearly one million acres of national forest.
That’s the idea behind two new trail projects coming to Franklin and Durbin.
The Mon Forest Towns Partnership has received a $442,000 grant from the Expedia Trails Fund to create new connections between the communities and the Monongahela National Forest.
Franklin will get the three-mile Peters Mountain Trail System, an idea that grew directly from residents asking for better access to the public lands surrounding their community.
In Durbin, a new 0.8-mile connector will link downtown businesses, restaurants, parks and the community garden while improving access to the Allegheny Trail and West Fork Rail Trail.
Construction in Franklin is already underway and will continue through 2027, while work on the Durbin connector is expected to begin in early 2027.
Read more:
https://wvexplorer.com/new-trail-franklin-durbin-monongahela-forest/
Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304.
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That’s all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.