In a news conference Wednesday morning following West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin's meeting with Mittal Weirton union and management officials, the governor said he believes the hot end of the Weirton plant can be saved.

The governor said he thinks the value of Mittal Weirton needs to be made more apparent to the right people in upper management at Mittal Steel USA.

Manchin said he thinks Mittal officials aren't seeing the true worth of the Weirton plant. He says that's why he's spearheading a task force made up of officials from his office, the state delegation, plant management, and union officials to conduct a proper and complete assessment of Mittal Weirton Steel. The governor promised to take the information from the assessment and present it on behalf of the state and the plant to Mittal Steel USA.

NEWS9 asked company and union officials about the possibility of more job cuts coming, and neither would comment.

Julie Grant, NEWS9.