Economic Development

The Preservation Alliance of West Virginia is inviting organizations across the state to apply for AmeriCorps members to assist in historical development projects in 2018 and 2019. The alliance annually provides an average of 30 Americorps members to assist in preservation and heritage-tourism projects, though requests for member services are growing, according to Danielle LaPresta, … Read more

More than 200 tourism industry representatives gathered at the West Virginia capitol today to advocate for the industry as part of Tourism Day at the Legislature. The annual event is designed to raise awareness of the significant economic impact of tourism in West Virginia. This year’s focus was on the $8 in tax revenue generated … Read more

BECKLEY, W.Va. — Efforts to nominate a former coal-mining town in southern West Virginia to the National Register of Historic Places could spur economic growth there, according to a spokesman for three development agencies engaged in the effort. Once a mining boom-town, Helen, with a population near 125 residents, is among the last coal camps … Read more

The spirit of West Virginia independence is helping fuel its growing crafts industry, says an online merchant and the founder of Our-WV.com. Paul Thompson, of Buckhannon, who launched the site that represents more than 110 Appalachian artisans six years ago, says more West Virginians are turning to the Web to market arts and crafts when … Read more

The Preservation Alliance of West Virginia is urging U.S. Senators Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., to support the availability of historic tax credits utilized to attract investment in small towns nationwide. Many developers, property owners, and members of the alliance are concerned that tax reforms being proposed by Congress could eliminate credits … Read more

West Virginians—and everyone who loves West Virginia—I have a small but very important favor to ask: This month, take a few minutes to tell the world what it is you love about our state. West Virginia’s birthday is June 20 (birthday number 154, if you’re counting). The West Virginia Division of Tourism is celebrating West … Read more

Over the past 17 years I’ve been able to engage many wonderful people in the development of West Virginia Explorer, but there’s one person who I can confirm we could not have survived without — Jonathan Moore. He was here at the beginning when I had nothing to work with but concept. He was a … Read more

The National Development Council will host the first of a two-part Historic Real Estate Finance Professional Certification series to Fairmont State University May 8-12, 2017, according to a press release from the Preservation Alliance of West Virginia. The five-day course offers a step-by-step look at the real estate development process from the perspective of lenders, developers and … Read more

Sponsoring a page at WVExplorer.com is a great way to recognize a friend or loved one while sharing your love for the Mountain State. Sponsorship makes an ideal Christmas gift. For $100 your name or theirs will appear on the sponsored page in perpetuity. Here’s an example page sponsored by Beckley native Bill Shaver, who … Read more

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — I and other developers at West Virginia Explorer would like to thank the sponsors, advertisers, visitors, and everyone else who helped us break a 14-year record this week, accruing more than 100,000 pageviews in a four-day period. Visitors who shared and reposted stories we’ve published through Tumblr, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn have pushed … Read more