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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.

Vapor wafts off a cooling tower at the Willow Island Power Station near Belmont, West Virginia.
Communities

Can AI be used to improve U.S. coal plant profitability?

by Clyde Craig

Can artificial intelligence be employed to boost coal power usage? One chemical engineer at West Virginia University is tapping into artificial intelligence to improve the profitability and flexibility of coal-fired power plants. Debangsu Bhattacharyya has received a $2.5-million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to develop an online tool that uses AI to monitor … 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.
Communities

Affordability, student support boost Glenville enrollment

by Bianca Bosworth

Affordability and student-support initiatives are boosting fall enrollment at Glenville State College, which welcomed 425 new traditional and online students this semester, bringing total enrollment at the school to 1,540. According to Dr. Kathleen Nelson, staff and faculty efforts combined with scholarships and low tuition rates have helped the school build its enrollment. “Our faculty … Read more

West Virginia leads the nation in small farms, according to West Virginia University.
Communities

WVU helps tackle food safety issues for state farmers

by Clyde Craig

West Virginia leads the U.S. in the number of small farmers, and a team of researchers at West Virginia University is hoping to help them increase the safety of the local foods sold to communities. Researchers are developing a three-step wash process to help mitigate food safety risks associated with locally grown fresh produce in … Read more

WVU Professor Examines Invasive Grass in West Virginia
Communities

WVU prof to study plant invading the Appalachian forest

by Clyde Craig

To the casual observer, Japanese stiltgrass appears as a harmless, leafy-green plant that blends into the majestic scenery during a weekend hike, but plant biologists like Craig Barrett know better. “I’d visited sites to study endangered orchids in West Virginia over the past few years, and I’d noticed Japanese stiltgrass creeping in and becoming a … Read more

Alderson Broaddus has been named Best Value and Best Regional College in the South by U.S. News & World Report.
Communities

Alderson Broaddus ranked top by U.S. News & World Report

by David Sibray

Alderson Broaddus University received recognition this week as the highest-ranking West Virginia college or university in two categories published by U.S. News & World Report. The school was ranked first among West Virginia colleges overall and 39th among the 2020 “Best Regional Colleges in the South.” The report compares institutions based on performance across a … Read more

Alderson Broaddus's Opening Convocation event commences a new academic year by welcoming the Class of 2023.
Communities

Alderson Broaddus celebrates ten percent enrollment increase

by Clyde Craig

Alderson Broaddus University is celebrating a 10-percent increase in enrollment as the academic year launches, welcoming students from nearly 20 countries and 35 states, according to school officials. The increase brings a more diverse and vibrant culture to Alderson Broaddus and the community, according to Dr. Eric Shor, executive vice president for administration and vice … Read more

Members of the Glenville State College Bluegrass Band, left to right, include Lydia Boyd, Alex Leport, Logan Phares, Isaac Putnum, Chase Arbogast, Nick Blake, Sammy Murphy, and George Lilly.
Communities

Glenville College to perform at World Bluegrass Conference

by Clyde Craig

The Glenville State College Bluegrass Band will join 13 collegiate bluegrass bands from seven states at the International Bluegrass Music Association Foundation’s Bluegrass College Showcase. The showcase will take place September 27-28 on the Youth Stage at the Raleigh Convention Center in Raleigh, North Carolina, during the World of Bluegrass Conference. This is the third … Read more