Economic Development

WINONA, W.Va. — Every small town carries a reputation, and once that reputation takes hold, it can become remarkably difficult to change, particularly in communities that have endured decades of economic decline, population loss, and the quiet assumption that their best years are behind them. Winona, a former coal community along the New River Gorge, … Read more

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — As tourism continues to reshape rural communities across Appalachia, researchers at West Virginia University in Morgantown are helping local leaders answer a difficult question: How can towns welcome more visitors without sacrificing the qualities that make people want to live there? A new study led by West Virginia University Extension found that … Read more

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — A new $321 million investment from federal and private sources has been established to position West Virginia as one of the nation’s leading centers for next-generation energy technology, artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, and electric grid innovation. The U.S. National Science Foundation has announced that the Resilient Energy Technology and Infrastructure (RETI) Consortium … Read more

BECKLEY, W.Va. — Millions of travelers have heard of the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, where one of the world’s oldest rivers cuts through the rugged Allegheny Mountains in southern West Virginia. Far fewer know the neighboring communities that surround it. Among them is Raleigh County, home to the city of Beckley, the … Read more

ELKINS, W.Va. — Across the United States, entrepreneurs are increasingly building businesses from home offices, renovated storefronts, and small-town communities while relying on digital marketing to reach customers nationwide. Whether selling handmade products online, promoting vacation rentals, or guiding outdoor adventures, professional photography, video, and audio have become essential tools for success. In rural West … Read more

BECKLEY, W.Va. — Five years after the redesignation of New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, southern West Virginia is entering a new phase of growth. While millions of visitors now know the New River Gorge region for its whitewater rivers, scenic overlooks, climbing cliffs, and mountain trails, local leaders are increasingly focused on turning … Read more

LEWISBURG, W.Va. — Historic buildings, from New England mill towns to Appalachian downtowns, could become easier to restore under bipartisan legislation that would expand one of the nation’s most successful redevelopment incentives. U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito has joined lawmakers from both parties in sponsoring the Historic Tax Credit Growth and Opportunity Act of 2025, … Read more

ELKINS, W.Va. — A new $11.6 million event and conference center, scheduled to open this summer, is expected to bring conferences, weddings, entertainment, and increased tourism to downtown Elkins, marking one of the largest recent investments in Randolph County’s hospitality industry. The Railyard Event & Conference Center, a 28,000-square-foot venue built on the site of Elkins’ … Read more

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Rural women entrepreneurs may make up a relatively small share of business owners across the United States, but new research from West Virginia University suggests their impact on local economies is far greater than many communities realize. The study, conducted by researchers at West Virginia University and the University of Maine, found that rural women … Read more

BEAVER, W.Va. — West Virginia Explorer President and CEO David Sibray has announced the appointment of Davie Chinn as Director of Technology and Lori Noble as Director of Advertising for the West Virginia Explorer publications. The appointments come as the leading tourism news and travel guide expands its efforts to support outdoor recreation, heritage travel, … Read more