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.

Barbara Breshock of the W.Va. Division of Forestry demonstrates forestry equipment.

Registration open for “Women Owning Woodlands” weekend

Women landowners who wish to learn more about forestry in West Virginia and network with other women involved in woodlands management can now register for the W.Va. Division of Forestry’s “Women Owning Woodlands” workshop. The event led by women instructors provides women landowners with an opportunity to ask questions, practice skills, and connect with woodland … Read more

Fire travels through a boulderfield in Pendeleton County. (Photo courtesy W.Va. Dept. of Commerce)

W.Va. Division of Forestry subdues fire in Pendleton County

After several days of battling a blaze in scenic Pendleton County—notably home to Seneca Rocks—the W.Va. Division of Forestry declared the South Mill Creek fire in patrol status. “Patrol status” means that no active fire threatens to get out of control, although smoke and hot spots may be visible, and firefighters will continue to monitor … Read more

West Virginia cities — WVU at Morgantown

WVU to fully reopen campuses for fall 2021 semester

West Virginia University plans to fully reopen its campuses this fall, according to school officials who attribute the decision to continued decreases in cases of the pandemic and the knowledge that vaccines are safe and effective. COVID-19 numbers within the U.S. and West Virginia have significantly decreased as the number of vaccinations has increased, according … Read more

State partners with Toyota to promote pollinator conservation

Landowners in the Kanawha Valley had a hands-on opportunity to learn how to create pollinator habitats on their properties through a recent workshop hosted by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources and Toyota Motor Manufacturing West Virginia Inc. Susan Olcott, pollinator project leader for the division, says landowners across the state can avail themselves … Read more

Gov. Justice announces 2021 Community Development Block Grant awards

Justice announces more than $13 million for community projects

Gov. Jim Justice today awarded 19 grants worth $13,734,817 for parks, broadband, demolition, and water-sewer to communities in 14 counties across the state. The Federal Community Development Block Grant funds are a pleasure to provide, said Justice, who was joined for a virtual ceremony by local officials representing many of the communities receiving these grants. … Read more

Brian Fanary believes Sophia can benefit greatly from regional growth.

Historic Sophia poised for growth, mayoral candidate says

Adjoining a newly completed expressway, Sophia in southern West Virginia has the potential to grow significantly over the next several decades, according to a new mayoral candidate who’s excited about tourism and its commercial potential. Brian Fanary says he’s exploring state and federal programming available to attract investment to the town, which boasts an attractive … Read more

A biologist displays a muskellunge on the Ohio River.

West Virginia partners in multi-state musky mortality project

The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources has partnered with fish and wildlife agencies and angling organizations across the eastern U.S. to attempt to gauge sport-fishing impacts on the muskellunge population. In cooperation with Coastal Carolina University and West Virginia University and state agencies in Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, and Wisconsin, the study will help … Read more

Historic properties in North Wheeling may soon be added to the National Register of Historic Places.

Tax credit for historic W.Va. buildings now permanent

West Virginia has made its historic tax rehabilitation credit program permanent, a move real estate developers are hailing for its economic influence in downtowns. Gov. Jim Justice recently signed the bipartisan bill, which provides a 25-percent tax credit for those who rehabilitate historic income-producing properties, according to Danielle Parker, executive director of the Preservation Alliance … Read more