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.
Shop Taste of Appalachia Holiday Gift Boxes here!
tasteofappalachia.com
Thanks, Putnam County Chamber of Commerce, and Ashley Alford-Glance for helping us promote our support small business and shop local initiative!🧡 ...
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We all have that person on our list who takes snacking VERY seriously. 🍿😂 This one’s for them!
Our Taste of Appalachia Snack Attack box brings together tasty discoveries from makers in counties including Jackson, Kanawha, Lincoln, and Webster.
Popcorn, pecans, crunchy snacks, and more—perfect for a cozy movie night or a holiday gathering! 🎁
Highlighting SNACK ATTACK Box: 3rd in our collection of 7!
Custard Stand Chili Hot Dog Chili Spice Mix
Sassy Gals Gourmet Foods Loaded Potato Dip
Angie's What's Poppin' Shoppe - Baked Potato Popcorn
We B Fryin Snacks - Wheat O's Pizza Flavor
Goldilocks Grazing Dill Pickle Pub Snack Mix
Ronk Family Farm's Maple Mustard
Sassy Gal's Bourbon Roast Pecans
The best part? While they enjoy every bite, you’ve helped support the small businesses behind the goodies. Now THAT’S satisfying.
🛒 Order by November 23:
tasteofappalachia.com/products/snack-attack-gift-set
#TasteOfAppalachia #ShopLocal #yesWV Charleston Area Alliance & Chamber of Commerce The Jackson County Development Authority @Lincoln County Development Authority @Webster County Development Authority @followers ...
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Breakfast Essentials Gift Set ...
Breakfast Essentials Gift Set
tasteofappalachia.com
Breakfast Essentials Start the morning the Appalachian way. The Breakfast Essentials Gift Set is filled with everything you need to create a cozy, locally inspired breakfast at home. Enjoy Biscuit Mix...0 CommentsComment on Facebook
🎉 GREAT NEWS FOR ADVANTAGE VALLEY REGION ENTREPRENEURS!
Our FASTER WV Loan Fund just received a $99,000 boost from U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development! 💰
These funds will help us continue supporting local entrepreneurs and small businesses with access to capital to start and grow their businesses. When small businesses thrive, our entire regional economy benefits! 💪
👏 A big thank-you to USDA Business Program Director Jesse Gandee (left) and USDA State Director of Rural Development John Reisenweber (right), pictured with Advantage Valley's Bryan Shaw and Terrell Ellis, for recognizing this exciting investment!
#FASTERWV #SmallBusiness @followers #YesWV #wv ...
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West Virginia has tremendous assets. Turning them into opportunity takes teamwork! 🤝🌄
That message stood out during Ted Abernathy’s presentation today, October 30, at an invitation-only economic development gathering in Putnam County.
Ted shared a powerful reminder: a region’s competitive advantage comes from its leaders and institutions working together to turn assets into results.
What does that mean for West Virginia?
⚡ Preparing power and infrastructure for growth
👷 Developing and attracting skilled workers
🏗️ Getting sites and buildings ready for investment
🏡 Strengthening housing, childcare and quality of life
💡 Supporting innovation and entrepreneurs
Each piece matters—and connecting them takes collaboration across communities, businesses, education and government.
That’s the spirit behind regional economic development: working together to create opportunities that benefit us all. 💙💛
#AdvantageValleyWV #YesWV #WestVirginia #EconomicDevelopment #Competitiveness ...
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Who else has a stocking for the dog? 🐶🎄🙋
Our Appalachia Bark Box makes it easy to spoil your favorite pup AND support Kanawha County small businesses!
With dog treats, paw and nose salves, shampoo bars, and an adjustable collar, it’s a fun holiday surprise for your own furry family member—or the dog lover on your list. 🎁🐾
We love food gifts. Our dogs are pretty enthusiastic about the treat part, too! ❤️ Give a little joy while showing local entrepreneurs some love.
🛒 Order by November 23:
tasteofappalachia.com/products/bark-box
#TasteOfAppalachia #ShopLocal #DogLovers #yesWV @followers ...
Bark Box
tasteofappalachia.com
This year we will feature a gift for our beloved furry friends! The Appalachian Bark Box features a collar from local shop, Follw Our Lead, Buddy N Beast Paw Snacks, and some amazing canine spa produc...0 CommentsComment on Facebook