West Virginia's Advantage: Third Lowest Cost of Doing Business (CNBC 2024)

West Virginia Employers Pay 2nd Lowest Workers Compensation Premiums

West Virginia's Loyal Workforce: Lowest Manufacturing Turnover Rate in Nation

Advantage Valley's Employers Pay Less for Production Occupation Wages

West Virginia's Advantage: Lowest Cost of Living in the Nation (MERIC 2024)

West Virginia Electricity Costs Far Below U.S. Average Per Kilowatt-Hour

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.

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4 hours ago
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$690,000 Secured to

$690,000 Secured to Advance FASTER WV Entrepreneurial Development in Advantage Valley ✔️

With the final FY26 appropriations bills passing last week, Senator Jim Justice and Senator Shelley Moore Capito helped us secure $690,000 through the Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) process, funding that will advance our programs, strengthen communities, and drive real impact for small business development in Advantage Valley, WV’s Charleston – Huntington Metro region.

We’re grateful for the leadership of our senate delegation for making this happen.


#FASTERWV #yesWV #CongressionallyDirectedSpending
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West Virginia’s economy depends on reliable child care. The Tri-Share model is helping Mountain State employers bridge the gap by splitting child care costs three ways. It’s a practical blueprint for keeping our workforce strong and our families supported.

Learn more about the success of the Tri-Share pilot in this case study: bit.ly/46kk0p1

#YesWV #WVWorkforce
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3 days ago
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In late 2025, The LeImage attachment

In late 2025, The Learning Grove - Charleston WV opened its doors in Sissonville—bringing creative early childhood education and much-needed childcare capacity to families across Kanawha County. Owned and operated by savvy Hannah Bentel, The Learning Grove is the first new childcare business to open as a direct result of Advantage Valley’s FASTER WV Childcare Business Workshops. Located at 1975 Kelmont Lane (formerly Little Kids Daycare), the center has quickly become a welcoming, community-centered space serving children from infancy through age 12.

They have openings ~ if you know someone who needs care!

👉 Meet Hannah and read her full success story here: advantagevalley.com/entrepreneurship/meet-the-entrepreneur/

#childcarewv #openforbusiness #YesWV #FASTERWV @followers
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4 days ago
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It’s been a busy week traveling with our partners at the Polymer Alliance Zone, Inc. and the West Virginia Division of Economic Development. We have found a high level of interest by Turkish companies in exploring investment and growth opportunities in West Virginia. #FDI #SelectUSA
#YesWV
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5 days ago
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Photos from Terrell Ellis's post ... See MoreSee Less

1 week ago
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