January 28, 2020

Manchin Receives Letter From Sir Richard Branson On Virgin Hyperloop In West Virginia

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) today received a response to the letter he sent to Sir Richard Branson, Chairman of Virgin Group, the parent organization of Virgin Hyperloop One. Manchin has been advocating for West Virginia as a potential site for the company’s certification and test center and wrote to Branson after meeting with representatives from the company in Fall 2019. 

“I am glad to hear from Sir Richard Branson on my letter urging Virgin Hyperloop One to consider West Virginia for their new certification and test center. I am glad he agrees that West Virginia has so much to offer and I hope that as our discussions continue we will have the opportunity to showcase more of our great state. I believe that the relationship between West Virginia and Virgin Hyperloop One could be incredibly strong and I look forward to working with WVU, Sir Richard Branson, and Virgin Hyperloop One to advocate for this partnership and will do whatever I can to make this a reality for West Virginia,” said Senator Manchin.

Senator Manchin’s letter to Sir Richard Branson can be read here.

Below is Sir Richard Branson’s response to Senator Manchin’s letter:

Dear Senator Manchin,

Thank you for your letter and interest in Virgin Hyperloop. I am excited by the team’s vision and believe they are the people who will bring this technology to the world.

As you know from your conversations with them, a strong state partner is of critical importance as we progress toward completion of the Hyperloop Certification Center, which is crucial to obtain regulatory approval.

I am thrilled that West Virginia has so much to offer and such a track record of successful relationships with other companies and technology innovations. It is also excellent to hear that West Virginia recognizes the pace required to move this project forward.

As we both know, bringing a new technology to fruition and obtaining regulatory approval is no small task. I, along with the Virgin Hyperloop team, greatly appreciate your support at both the state and federal level.

Kind regards,
Richard Branson