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.

A mason repairs a brick wall.

Registration open for W.Va. historical masonry workshop

The Preservation Alliance of West Virginia, in partnership with the City of Weston, is hosting a week-long historic preservation workshop from April 25- 29, 2022 in Weston, West Virginia. The workshop will offer an in-depth introduction to the treatment and repair of historic masonry and include both classroom instruction as well as hands-on experience. Under … Read more

WVU announces $40M partnership to expand economics education

A leadership gift to West Virginia University from longtime supporters Ken and Randy Kendrick will allow the John Chambers College of Business and Economics to transform economics education through innovative programs for high-schoolers and educators statewide via the new Kendrick Center for an Ethical Economy. The $40 million partnership with the Kendricks complements broader efforts … Read more

Common Blue Violets are among the edible plants one can find growing almost anywhere in West Virginia.

Eight edible spring plants that grow wild in West Virginia

I hunt for undomesticated plants. Even though I have a substantial vegetable garden, which supplies my family with a steady supply of fresh, frozen, and canned corn, beans, onions, carrots, lettuce, spinach, potatoes, tomatoes, I still forage for wild salad plants. I can’t imagine doing otherwise. Because it’s fun, I do what one person described … Read more

Fireworks explode above the campus of Glenville State College on the Little Kanawha River. (Photo courtesy Glenville State College.)Fireworks explode above the campus of Glenville State College on the Little Kanawha River.

Glenville State College celebrates 150 years this week

Glenville State College at Glenville, West Virginia, in the central Mountain State, kicks off its sesquicentennial celebration this week, culminating with Founder’s Day events on February 19, the anniversary of the college’s founding 150 years ago. College president Dr. Mark A. Manchin spoke of his excitement about the anniversary and the direction the school has … Read more

W.Va. forestry officials urge caution with outdoor fires

Friday’s high winds and warm temperatures have officials at the W.Va. Division of Forestry asking West Virginians to avoid outdoor burning until conditions improve. Forestry officials cite media reports of multiple brush fires in south-central West Virginia, including Jackson, Kanawha, Lincoln, and Putnam counties. Forestry fire personnel also continue to fight a fire in a … Read more

Forbes names West Virginia among best U.S. employers

The State of West Virginia has been named to the Forbes list of America’s Best Employers 2022, Gov. Jim Justice announced. The list includes businesses from all industries, not only governments, according to the governor, and West Virginia was one of only two states to crack the list’s top 250. Justice said the honor was … Read more