Communities in West Virginia offer 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, as well as 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.
Glenville State College and Gilmer County have announced the launch of a new Appalachian Heritage program designed to increase literary discourse and community in the valley of the Little Kanawha River in north-central West Virginia. Dubbed the “Little Kanawha Reading Series,” the project aims to feature regional writers invited to Glenville as well as local … Read more
The West Virginia Department of Agriculture has submitted the state’s plan to regulate industrial hemp to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and officials are working toward the most business-friendly outcome possible. Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt said his office will continue to work with producers, who in 2019 produced a remarkably successful crop. “There is … 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
Officials at Concord University have named Mountain Lion head football coach Dave Walker as Grand Groundhog Watcher for 2020, joining “Concord Charlie” in the spotlight during this year’s Groundhog Day Breakfast. According to tradition, if Charlie or any other apt groundhog sees his shadow on the morning of February 2, six more weeks of winter … 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
Officials at West Virginia University are reminding students, faculty, and staff that as temperatures fall and the possibility of inclement weather increases, they are expected to exercise caution and use personal judgment before venturing out. Maryanne Reed, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, promises that the safety of faculty and staff outweighs all other … Read more
The West Virginia Department of Agriculture has launched a new agricultural training series for veterans in West Virginia, according to state Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt. The Veteran Education Training Series, also known as VETS, will host its first session “Boots-to-Business” at the West Virginia Small Farm Conference on February 20, though more classes will … Read more
Fraternity and sorority life might be perceived as a distraction, but West Virginia University has announced that members of such organizations show higher academic performance than students at large. The fall 2019 average for such students was 3.240 compared to 2.969, according to Matthew Richardson, director of the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life. “The … Read more
With more than 400 million maple trees, it’s no wonder maple syrup is one of the fastest-growing industries in West Virginia. To help keep the momentum and overcome challenges, a team of West Virginia University experts wants to educate landowners, foresters and loggers on the nuances of southern sugarbush management. According to Jamie Schuler, lead … Read more
The Shepherd University Center for Appalachian Studies and Communities is accepting applications from teachers and community leaders in Jefferson and Berkeley counties for a new community leadership institute. Titled “Voices from the Misty Mountains, Reclaiming Our Story for a New Appalachia,” the institute will take place will take place February 4-April 28 on Tuesdays from … Read more
