A local steel facility is celebrating some big news.

On Friday during a news conference state and local officials along with leaders of Wheeling-Nisshin announced the company's intentions to expand operations at the Follansbee facility.

The news of the $28 million investment brought Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin to the Panhandle.

This is the company's third major expansion in West Virginia over the past 25 years. Company officials say they will expand the operations of the facility to include a new type of coating that combines zinc, aluminum, and magnesium (ZAM).

Officials with Wheeling-Nisshin, says the company will expand its building space, buy new equipment and add an electrical substation.

Nisshin Steel Company, the parent company of Wheeling-Nisshin, is set to invest $28 million into their Follansbee facility.

It's a major announcement that has state and local officials talking.

"I think it speaks volumes for Brooke County, for our state, Follansbee, to say we got great workers in our state."

"This is exciting news for Brooke County where we hear news about plants closing, and people being laid off," said Brooke County Commissioner Tim Ennis.

Despite the rain, everyone was in a great mood and that included local employees at the Wheeling-Nisshin facility.

"The general consensus is that we're going to be here for a while," said Vice President of Manufacturing Patrick Pendleton. "All of the guys are excited that the company gave us this vote of confidence."

The governor made the trip from Charleston. He was excited to see that one of the state's biggest players in the steel industry will be getting a big boost.

"It's one that assures the 175 workers that this plant will continue to be strong and hopefully those jobs will grow," said Tomblin.

Everyone is hopeful that the expansion will lead to more jobs and will allow the facility to bring back some of the employees they previously laid off.