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.

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.

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK

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A sincere thank you

A sincere thank you to WesBanco for your investment in Advantage Valley, Inc.

Your support helps us attract new business, grow jobs, and support entrepreneurs.

Together, we are building a brighter future here.

#investintheregion #AdvantageValleyWV #YesWV
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13 hours ago
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Team West Virginia is on the ground at SelectUSA, showcasing the Mountain State to international investors and companies from around the world.

This is what economic development looks like in action: building relationships, telling West Virginia’s story, highlighting our competitive advantages, and working to bring new investment, jobs, and long-term growth to our state.

Proud to see some of West Virginia’s best representatives selling our state and creating new opportunities for the future.

#YESWV #SelectUSA #EconomicDevelopment #WestVirginia @followers
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23 hours ago
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✈️ Team #WestVirginia will be well represented at #SelectUSA Investment Summit this year!

Terrell Ellis and colleagues are looking forward to meeting with companies from around the world 🌎 to share all that the #MountainState has to offer—low-cost, abundant #energy ⚡, a #skilledworkforce 👷‍♂️👩‍💼, and strength in key sectors like #metals, #aerospace ✈️, #polymers, and #autoparts 🚗manufacturing .

And we’re bringing a true taste of #WestVirginia along for the ride.

In honor of #NationalSmallBusinessWeek, we’re proud to share fresh, locally made pepperoni rolls 🥖 from Rolling in The South —owned and operated by Charleston WV entrepreneur, Bretta Brewer Hyre! These treats will help us tell our region’s story in a memorable (and delicious) way.

Stop by Booth 1119 and enjoy a delicious taste of West Virginia!

#YESWV #SelectUSA #SmallBusinessWeek #EconomicDevelopment #AdvantageValleyWV
West Virginia Department of Commerce @followers
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3 days ago
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A sincere thank you

A sincere thank you to Boone Memorial Health for investing in Advantage Valley, Inc. 🌟

Your support helps us attract new business, grow jobs, and support entrepreneurs. Together we are creating new momentum for our region. 🚀

We’re grateful to have you as a valued partner! 🤝

#InvestIntheRegion #AdvantageValleyWV #yesWV @followers
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1 week ago
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A sincere thank you

A sincere thank you to Bowles Rice for investing in Advantage Valley, Inc.

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!

#RegionalImpact #EconomicDevelopment #yesWV @followers
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1 week ago
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A sincere thank you

A sincere thank you to Pray Construction Company for investing in the work of Advantage Valley, Inc.

Their 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 grateful to have them as a valued partner!

#InvestIntheRegion #advantagevalleywv #yesWV
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2 weeks ago
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