FOLLANSBEE, W.Va. -- A friendly handshake and a few laughs started off a meeting between Democratic West Virginia Sen. Jay Rockefeller and employees of the Wheeling-Nisshin plant in Follansbee on Sunday.

But the issues the plant workers wanted to discuss with the senator were no joke. Among their concerns, they discussed illegal aliens taking jobs from working people like them, while American companies send jobs overseas.

Rockefeller stopped by the plant because he said it's a success in the midst of a declining steel industry.

"I'm really proud of what they've done. They've got 180 people working, they say they're going to be near 100 percent capacity in their work this year. They haven't laid anybody off so I like that," said Rockefeller

But still, these men are worried about the future the valley may hold for their children.

"I've worked in manufacturing my whole life," said one of the employees.

They've seen plenty of friends lose jobs and wonder what will be left for their children if they want to stay in the area.

Rockefeller assured the employees he's working on ways to develop the Northern Panhandle's economy, and is looking to Wheeling-Nisshin as an example of something he said he helped start and has since become a success.

"They're optimistic about the future, they're doing very well now. I helped bring this plant here and I feel very proud about it," he said.

Monday Rockefeller will be in Weirton for an economic summit for Brooke and Hancock counties. He'll be focusing on developing industries and some of the land in that area.