Economic Development

Governor Jim Justice and West Virginia Department of Commerce Secretary Ed Gaunch have recommended 12 projects totaling more than $11.7 million in grants from the Appalachian Regional Commission Investment Program. The West Virginia Development Office administers the state’s commission grants program, which is a partnership of federal, state, and local participants that provide financial and … Read more

Historic Grafton, West Virginia, once an important hub on the Baltimore & Ohio Railway, will enjoy a boost in economic viability, according to officials at West Virginia University. Several historic and industrial districts in the community of some 5,000 residents, will be redeveloped by the university’s Northern West Virginia Brownfields Assistance Center, according to director … Read more

Investing in historic properties has never been more popular in West Virginia. The state’s tax-credit budgets for rehabilitating older buildings now exceed those of surrounding states, and investors are looking to cut costs by fixing older buildings rather than building anew. Looking for information on tax credits? Interested in the history of your own home? … Read more

West Virginia Governor Jim Justice announced today that he hopes to invest as much $2 million in construction of a new community swimming and recreation facility near Lewisburg, West Virginia. The governor made the announcement during a celebratory event at the West Virginia State Fairgrounds at Fairlea, West Virginia, the future home of the aquatic … Read more

A group of Tyler County residents is looking to a county in Ohio for an economic solution required to rebuild a similar historical landmark in West Virginia. Members of the Tyler Citizens Action Group met Wednesday at Middlebourne to discuss the success of a landmark in Cadiz, Ohio, that’s now a tourist attraction and community … Read more

West Virginia Explorer Magazine has surpassed a rate of 2.5-million readers annually or an average of more than 7,000 readers daily, according to its publisher. The rate represents an increase in readership of more than 600 percent over the last three years, according to publisher David Sibray, who recently celebrated the magazine’s 20th anniversary. The … Read more

Southern West Virginia this spring will showcase its travel and tourism resources for 80 members of the influential Paddle-boarders angle toward the New River Gorge Bridge on the New River near Fayetteville, West Virginia. (Photo courtesy River Expeditions)[/caption] “We are truly excited that SATW will hold its first meeting in the state,” Wilson said, “and … Read more

Governor Jim Justice, Milton Mayor Thomas Canterbury, and officials with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have signed an agreement to build an 8,300-foot long levee between Milton, West Virginia, and the Mud River that will reduce flooding in the area. “This is something that your community needs, and you need it right now,” Justice … Read more

West Virginia Governor Jim Justice announced today that West Virginia’s job numbers are the best the state has seen in over a decade. Its 2019 seasonally-adjusted annual average total employment—that is, the average number of West Virginians employed over the course of a year—was 759,000. See: Workforce West Virginia Data 2019 The governor says that … Read more

The five-county area comprising the Potomac Highlands of West Virginia could improve economically by embracing and promoting its regional identity, according to a new study published by three West Virginia University centers. After a year and a half of research, the plan, which recommends several strategic actions to promote economic prosperity in the region, will … Read more