West Virginia Delegates Visited Ireland to Recruit Firms

Delegates Geno Chiarelli and Joe Ellington traveled to Galway to pitch the state as a destination for medical manufacturers.

Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Remote Work

Interior view of a modern, clean medical manufacturing facility featuring polished stainless steel surfaces and modular high-tech equipment under bright daylight. — West Virginia state delegates traveled to Galway, Ireland, this week to pitch the state as a destination for medical technology manufacturers to establish new operations. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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West Virginia delegates Geno Chiarelli and Joe Ellington visited Galway, Ireland, to recruit medical technology companies for state expansion. The lawmakers highlighted West Virginia's geographic advantages and labor costs during meetings with major manufacturers.

Why it matters

The visit is part of a broader strategy to attract international medical technology companies to establish operations in West Virginia. The state is leveraging its competitive labor market to entice firms currently operating dual manufacturing sites.

Galway serves as a significant industry hub, hosting one-third of the entire Irish medical technology workforce. The delegation is now assessing how this model can be replicated using West Virginia as a secondary manufacturing site.

The players

Geno Chiarelli

He is a West Virginia delegate who spearheaded the initial trip to Ireland.

Joe Ellington

He is a West Virginia delegate who accompanied the recruitment mission to Galway.

Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute

This facility at West Virginia University leads research on complex topics like addiction and PTSD.

The details

During their trip, the delegates explored manufacturing processes and medical research environments to identify potential synergies for the state. They specifically targeted firms like Boston Scientific and Medtronic, which maintain established facilities in the region.

The delegation visited Galway during Q4 2026.
A larger group of delegates plans to return to Galway in 2027.

Market Landscape

The recruitment effort follows the rise of global medical technology manufacturing hubs by attempting to capture the sector's growth for local economic development. West Virginia is competing with established international sites to become a viable alternative for medical device companies.

The potential arrival of new medical manufacturers could lead to significant job creation for West Virginia residents. Success in attracting these firms may provide new employment opportunities in specialized manufacturing sectors across the state.

The takeaway

Attracting global manufacturers requires highlighting local labor costs and existing research infrastructure to compete with established overseas hubs. Successful recruitment hinges on the state's ability to offer a stable environment for medical technology companies considering dual-site strategies.