Buildings & Sites
Economic Data
Workforce & Education
Target Industries
Advantage Valley in southwestern West Virginia is a nine-county region stretching from Huntington to Charleston, forming one of the nation’s most resource-rich and business-friendly corridors.
Served by three Interstates (I-64, I-77, and I-79) and several U.S. highways with Interstate access, Advantage Valley has fast connections to key cities and markets throughout the eastern half of the nation. Busy CSX and Norfolk Southern mainlines connect the region to the continent’s rail network and ports along the Ohio River and in Virginia. The area is served by six navigable rivers with truck-to-barge capabilities, two ports, and two regional airports.
Advantage Valley’s history in industries such as coal production earned local workers (and there are 353,000 of them in our labor shed) a reputation for initiative and employer loyalty. In fact, West Virginia has the nation’s lowest manufacturing employee turnover rate. With an outstanding quality of life, a low cost of living, and competitive wages, it’s easy for local employers to draw recruits to the area. Plus, our local K-12 and postsecondary educators have long worked closely with local companies to deliver workforce training and education programs aligned with the needs of employers.
One of the many great reasons to bring your business to Advantage Valley is the variety of available development sites and existing buildings, all with competitive utility rates. Whether you’re seeking a downtown storefront, Class A offices, or a huge industrial facility with rail and port access, we can help you find the ideal location.
Advantages of Doing Business
in West Virginia
Third Lowest Cost
of Doing Business
(CNBC, 2024)
Lowest
Manufacturing Turnover Rate
(BLS Industry Report, 2020)
Lowest Cost
of Living
(MERIC, 2024)
2nd Lowest Worker’s
Compensation Rates
(Oregon Consumer and Business Service, 2022)
3rd Lowest Personal
Property Taxes
(Tax Rates.org 2022)
Advantage Valley’s Partners
Advantage Valley is a non-profit economic development organization that works with the State of West Virginia, local governments, county economic development authorities, sector and business leaders, chambers of commerce, academic and training institutions, and nonprofit partners in order to showcase our nine-county region and strengthen the economy. We’re proud of these many local partners who have joined together to promote our unified vision for growth.
Chambers of Commerce
Charleston Area Alliance | Huntington Regional Chamber of Commerce | Putnam County Chamber of Commerce | South Charleston Chamber of Commerce | St. Albans Chamber of Commerce
Economic Development Organizations
Boone County Community and Economic Development Corporation | Charleston Area Alliance | Huntington Area Development Council | Jackson County Development Authority | Lincoln Economic Development Authority | Mason County Development Authority | Putnam County Development Authority | Wayne County Economic Development Authority
Convention & Visitor Bureaus
Cabell-Huntington | Charleston | South Charleston
Research & Development Institutions
Byrd Biotechnology Science Center at Marshall University | AVN Corporation | Tech Connect West Virginia | The Chemical Alliance Zone | The Polymer Alliance Zone | West Virginia Regional Technology Park
West Virginia Workforce Development
BridgeValley Community and Technical College | Mountwest Community and Technical College | Southern Community and Technical College | West Virginia University-Parkersburg
Marshall University Advanced Manufacturing Center | FAME West Virginia | Putnam Career and Technical Center | Roane-Jackson Technical Center | Carver Career and Technical Education Center | Garnet Career Center, Wayne County North Vocational Technical School | Cabell County Career Technology Center | Boone Career and Technical Center
FASTER WV
FASTER WV – Helping Entrepreneurs Start and Grow Businesses in West Virginia
FASTER WV is Advantage Valley’s entrepreneurship support program designed to help startups and small businesses launch, grow, and become financially sustainable. The program connects entrepreneurs across the Advantage Valley region with business coaching, training programs, technical assistance grants, and access to capital.
Whether you are starting your first business, expanding an existing company, or purchasing a business, FASTER WV provides guidance and resources to help you succeed.
A sincere thank you to Marshall University for investing in Advantage Valley.
Your support helps us recruit new companies, strengthen our workforce, and empower entrepreneurs through programs like FASTER WV. Together, we are building a stronger, more competitive region.
We’re so grateful to have you as a partner! (Especially with our new Marshall Skills Exchange partnership)
#InvestIntheRegion #AdvantageValleyWV #yesWV #THANKS #YesWV ... See MoreSee Less
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📍 Where’s Bryan? Selfie Series
Busy day yesterday for Bryan Shaw! 🚀
🎙️ Kicked things off at MetroNews with Dave Allen-Radio on 580 AM, talking all things FASTER WV and our NEW Outdoor Business Accelerator Program.
🏡 Then headed to the Kanawha County Public Library to lead an Airbnb workshop alongside former SuperHost Jim Strawn of the Strawn Chalet — sharing real-world insights with aspiring hosts!
💡 From radio waves to real-life workshops, it’s all about supporting current and future entrepreneurs and building small businesses across the Advantage Valley region.
👏 Another great day making an impact!
🔗 Learn more at the link in bio – or here advantagevalley.com/entrepreneurship/
#FASTERWV #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusiness #AdvantageValleyWV #OutdoorEconomy #yesWV @followers ... See MoreSee Less
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We are pleased to recognize Jackson Kelly, PLLC as a Growth Partner Investor in Advantage Valley.
Their investment fuels strategic business recruitment, strengthens existing industries, and advances entrepreneurship throughout the region.
We appreciate your partnership and commitment to regional prosperity.
#InvestIntheRegion #advantagevalleywv #yesWV @followers ... See MoreSee Less
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We’re grateful for the support of WVU Medicine Thomas Hospitals.
As a valued partner and investor, your commitment helps us market the region on a global stage—attracting new business, supporting existing industry, and fostering entrepreneurship across our nine-county footprint.
Thank you for helping drive long-term economic growth and position the Advantage Valley region for success!
If you would like to see our investors, head here: advantagevalley.com/2026-investors/
#InvestIntheRegion #AdvantageValleyWV #regional #collaboration #yesWV ... See MoreSee Less
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Big day in Mason County, WV!! 🚧
Advantage Valley was proud to attend the groundbreaking for Frontieras’ $850 million facility—an exciting investment advancing energy innovation right here in our region.
At a time when global disruptions are exposing the fragility of traditional energy systems, this project represents a bold step toward a more secure, resilient energy future.
👏 ~250 full-time jobs (with wages ~3x the local average)
👷 ~2,000 construction jobs
⚙️ Advanced energy + manufacturing innovation
Congratulations to the Frontieras team—we’re proud to be part of this momentum in the Advantage Valley region!
#advantagevalleywv #yesWV #energy #jobs #innovation #economicdevelopment @Frontieras ... See MoreSee Less
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We are proud to recognize Putnam County Development Authority as a valued investor in Advantage Valley, Inc.
Their commitment to business attraction, workforce development, and entrepreneurship strengthens our region’s long-term economic vitality! Because of partners like Putnam County Development Authority, we can recruit new companies while supporting the growth of those already rooted here.
Thank you very much for investing in the future of Advantage Valley!
Should you like to see all of our investors, visit us here: advantagevalley.com/2026-investors/
#InvestIntheRegion #AdvantageValleyWV #yesWV @followers ... See MoreSee Less
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