WHEELING -- The new West Virginia Supercomputing Center is in the Stone Center.

Its grand opening was celebrated by politicians, business people and citizens.

Officials said the the new center will bring, "Unprecedented computing capability," to Wheeling and to the nation.

Within the first two years, they plan to generate $15 million.

Gov. Joe Manchin said he's been working in the background for a long time to make the Smart Sensor Supercomputing Center a reality in Wheeling.

He said West Virginians have always done the nation's heavy lifting.

"We've mined the coal," the Governor said. "We make the steel. We run the factories. We do the manufacturing that has really made this country what it is. Now the next wave is becoming this type of technology."

Mayor Andy McKenzie looked around at what is now called the Stone Center, and spoke of this building's history, especially at this time of year.

"If this would have been about 10, 15 years ago, Santa Claus would have been sitting, I think, right there," said the mayor, gesturing to a corner of the room. "The old Stone and Thomas Department Store, what a great use of a building."

Officials said the center, on the fifth floor of the Stone Center, will eventually create 45 high-tech, cybersecurity and computing jobs, paying an average salary of $50,000 to $100,000 a year.

Theodora Titonis, president and CEO of TTi, paid tribute to the governor and mayor, but especially to U.S. Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W.Va., for making this possible.

"When I was 10 years old, I found my passion for technology while attending a summer computer course at a local university," said Titonis.

"Please do not let our suits fool you," said Joe Maresca, CEO of Vista Research. "Confidentially, we feel more comfortable in our jeans, with our laptops, our computers, and our slide rules blazing at four trillion instructions per second."

Manchin said they have the most valuable resource of all, West Virginians.

"I mean, you talk about tough," said Manchin. "Working hard. Not given much. But basically taking care of their family. The values that we have -- we've got all the ingredients for success."

In fact, every person who spoke at the grand opening, from the CEOs to the governor to the mayor, praised Byrd.

They said his emphasis on technology and his tireless work to bring education and jobs to West Virginia made this day possible.