BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. — In a 5-1 vote Thursday evening, the Bridgeport, West Virginia City Council fired Economic Development Director Pat Ford just six months into his five-year contract, following an internal investigation led by former U.S. Attorney William Ihlenfeld.
Ford, a former longtime Ohio Valley economic development leader and former business development director for the Frontier Group of Companies, expressed disappointment in the council’s decision and suggested it was politically motivated. Ford told reporters he hit a nerve as he worked to change the workplace culture in the city like he says council instructed him to do.
Ford began his role with the city in October, bringing with him decades of experience, including time as executive director of the Business Development Corporation of the Northern Panhandle. During his tenure there, he worked closely with Frontier Group on the redevelopment of 1,100 acres of former steel mill property in Weirton, now known as Weirton Frontier Crossings.
Council members did not publicly discuss the contents of the investigation during Thursday’s special session. No statement has yet been released outlining the official reasoning behind Ford’s dismissal.
