West Virginia Explorer
Ready sites: Funding will support early-stage site development, enabling companies to move more quickly when deciding where to locate new facilities in the Mountain State.

Morrisey awards $2.1 million for business-ready sites in 23 W.Va. counties

Economic Development

January 12, 2026

David Sibray

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Ahead of the start of the 2026 legislative session, Gov. Patrick Morrisey has awarded $2.1 million in grants aimed at preparing “business-ready” development sites across 23 counties in West Virginia.


In an announcement released Monday from Charleston, the governor said the funding will support early-stage site development, enabling companies to move more quickly when deciding where to locate new facilities in the Mountain State. The grants are intended to cover engineering and architectural needs, including environmental and geotechnical studies, which are often required before construction can begin.

“Speed to build is critically important when companies are deciding on a location to do business, build facilities, and create jobs,” Morrisey said in a statement. “This funding is going to ensure West Virginia is competitive and well-positioned to attract new industry and investment for years to come.”

The awards are part of the state’s Ready Sites Program, which is administered by the West Virginia Division of Economic Development. Each grant totals $75,000 and is designed to help local and regional development authorities prepare sites for private investment.

Grant recipients under the Ready Sites Program include:

Northern West Virginia

  • Barbour County Economic Development Authority
  • Harrison County Development Authority (Harrison Regional site)
  • Harrison County Development Authority (Spelter site)
  • Marion County Regional Development Corporation
  • Preston County Economic Development Authority (Grace Chapel site)
  • Preston County Economic Development Authority (Valley IP site)
  • Preston County Economic Development Authority (TAZ Sawmill site)
  • Preston County Economic Development Authority (North Pointe IP site)
  • Preston County Economic Development Authority (Pres-Mon site)

Eastern Panhandle

Southern West Virginia

Central West Virginia

  • Charleston Area Alliance (Kanawha County)
  • Putnam County Development Authority
  • Mason County Development Authority
  • Upshur County Development Authority (Brushy Fork site)
  • Upshur County Development Authority (Martin Weatherford site)

Eastern Mountains / Potomac Highlands

  • Greenbrier Valley Economic Development Corporation (Maxwelton site)
  • Greenbrier Valley Economic Development Corporation (Fountain Springs site)
  • Mineral County Economic Development Authority

Ohio Valley

  • Pleasants County Development Authority
  • Wood County Development Authority and Parkersburg–Wood County Area Development Corp. / 00 29th Street site / Fort Boreman site / Stone Ridge site

New River Gorge Region

  • New River Gorge Regional Development Authority

State officials say the Ready Sites Program is intended to reduce development timelines and improve West Virginia’s competitiveness when recruiting manufacturers, logistics firms, and other job-creating industries.

About Certified Sites and the Development Readiness Program

West Virginia law established the Certified Sites and Development Readiness Program within the state’s Division of Economic Development to help communities prepare properties for economic investment and job-creating development.

Under § 5B-2-19 of the West Virginia Code, the program sets standards for evaluating potential sites’ readiness and offers technical assistance and matching grants to improve infrastructure, utilities, environmental studies, and other factors that make a site more attractive to businesses.

The statute also establishes the Certified Sites and Development Readiness Fund, which is used to support the program through appropriations, external funds, and investment income, and ensures that any unspent funds remain available for future development readiness efforts rather than reverting to the general fund.

Why West Virginia’s Certified Sites law matters

West Virginia Code § 5B-2-19 establishes the legal framework for how the state prepares land for economic development before companies consider breaking ground. By establishing the Certified Sites and Development Readiness Program, lawmakers aimed to reduce one of the biggest barriers to attracting new employers: uncertainty about infrastructure, environmental conditions, and permitting. The statute allows the state to invest early in site readiness, helping rural and urban communities alike compete for private investment and job creation.

Quick facts: Certified Sites & Development Readiness Program

  • Established in law: West Virginia Code § 5B-2-19
  • Administered by: Division of Economic Development
  • Purpose: Prepare “business-ready” development sites
  • Eligible uses: Engineering, environmental and geotechnical studies, infrastructure planning
  • Funding structure: Dedicated Certified Sites and Development Readiness Fund
  • Key feature: Unspent funds roll over year to year