Communities

Communities in West Virginia offers residents a welcoming atmosphere, affordable cost of living, and a strong sense of connection to nature and neighbors alike. From charming small towns to vibrant cities like Charleston and Morgantown, West Virginia communities provide friendly neighborhoods, excellent schools, and access to outdoor recreation right at your doorstep. Residents enjoy a slower pace of life surrounded by the state’s beautiful mountains, rivers, and forests, along with rich local culture, historic sites, and community events that bring people together. With safe streets, local businesses, and a true spirit of Appalachian hospitality, living in West Virginia communities means enjoying a high quality of life and a supportive, tight-knit environment where everyone feels at home. Be sure to visit our Communities Travel Guide for information about communities in West Virginia.

Budding Tree In West Virginia in West Virginia

Aromatherapy can benefit substance-use recovery, WVU study finds

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Aromatherapy eases stress in people undergoing treatment for substance use disorder, which can enhance their chances of a successful recovery, according to West Virginia University research. The ongoing study incorporates the use of essential oils as an integrative therapy that is part of a bigger-picture model focusing on the whole person. Researchers … Read more

West Virginia Mountain Stream

W.Va. pursues more than $18 million in Appalachian funding

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia has recommended more than $18 million in Appalachian Regional Commission grant funding for 11 projects — chiefly those that improve water and sewerage infrastructure. W.Va. Gov. Jim Justice stressed that the programming to be awarded was vital to the state’s growing economy. “These upgrades are going to be phenomenal, and … Read more

Green Bank Telescope in West Virginia

WVU faculty, students contribute to cosmic breakthrough

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — More than two dozen researchers with ties to West Virginia University have helped unearth evidence of ripples in spacetime that have never been observed before now. Gravitational waves travel outwards from a source at light speed, stretching and squeezing the very fabric of spacetime — for instance, making the length of a … Read more

Autumn In Elkins West Virginia in West Virginia

Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area accepting grant proposals

ELKINS, W.Va. — The Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area is accepting proposals for funding for programs that support tourism development, community partnerships, and the preservation and interpretation of cultural and natural resources in its 18-county territory. Grant requests can be from $1,000 up to $20,000, and applications are due July 31, 2023. The expected project … Read more

Broadband In West Virginia

Capito announces largest broadband funding for West Virginia to date

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) today announced that West Virginia would receive $1,210,800,969.85 in funding through the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program to deploy high-speed internet networks. A member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation and Appropriations committees and ranking member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, … Read more