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
🚀 Thinking about the future of your business? Advantage Valley has launched a new Succession Planning Video Series featuring local businesses ~ and you don’t want to miss it.
🎥 Episode 2: Management Buyout
�In this installment, Mark Grigsby, Past President of Pray Construction Company, joins Tina McPhail, Executive Vice President & CFO, to explore what a management buyout really looks like—from leadership transition to preserving company culture and rewarding loyal teams with ownership opportunities.
If you're a business owner planning ahead (or know someone who should be!), this is a must-watch.
👉 Watch the full video here: advantagevalley.com/succession-planning
#SuccessionPlanning #advantagevalleywv #ManagementBuyout #WVBusiness #yesWV @followers ... See MoreSee Less
1 CommentsComment on Facebook
🚀 Thinking about the future of your business? Advantage Valley has launched its new Succession Planning Video Series—and you don’t want to miss it.
🎥 Episode 1: Private Equity Buyout
�In this installment, Adam Krason, CEO of ZMM Architects and Engineers, sits down with James Becker of Whitewater Capital Partners to discuss what a private equity buyout really looks like—from valuation to transition to long-term impact on your company.
If you're a business owner planning ahead (or know someone who should be!), this is a must-watch.
👉 Watch the full video here: advantagevalley.com/succession-planning
#SuccessionPlanning #AdvantageValleyWV #PrivateEquity #WVBusiness #yesWV @followers ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
✨ Announcing Advantage Valley’s Succession Planning Video Series! ✨
We're excited to share a new series designed to help entrepreneurs navigate one of the most important phases of business ownership: succession planning. 🎥📈
Throughout these five videos (30 minutes each), you’ll hear directly from local business owners who have successfully transitioned their companies — sharing real stories, real challenges, and real results. 👥➡️👥
Many businesses in our region haven’t fully explored their succession options, are unsure where to begin, or feel overwhelmed by the choices.
This series breaks down the most common strategies, including:
💼 Private equity buyouts
👥 Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs)
🧑💼 Management buyouts
🏷️ Traditional business sales
Our hope is that these firsthand perspectives will inspire you to think about your own long-term plans and the value of a thoughtful transition. 🌱📊
👉 Explore the new video series here: advantagevalley.com/succession-planning/
#yesWV #successionplanning #wvbusiness @AdvantageValleyWV Pray Construction Company ZMM Architects and Engineers IVS Hydro Inc. @StarPlastics @JefferdsCorporation @followers ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Marshall Advanced Manufacturing Center hosted several partner organizations today to strategize about ways to continue – and accelerate – the economic development momentum built through regional collaborations. Thanks to Advantage Valley, Inc., Charleston Area Alliance & Chamber of Commerce, Putnam County Development Authority, Huntington Area Development Council-HADCO, The Jackson County Development Authority, Lincoln County Development Authority, Boone County Community & Economic Development Corp. and the U.S. Commercial Service for partnering with us to move West Virginia forward. Appalachian Regional Commission U.S. Economic Development Administration ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
🚀 Life’s a Pitch!
Join us online December 9 from 5:30–7:30 PM for a hands-on workshop that will help you tell your business story clearly, confidently, and in any setting.
💡 Participants will walk away with:
• A simple, adaptable pitch template
• Practice delivering their own pitch
• Feedback to boost clarity and confidence
Perfect for entrepreneurs at any stage!
👉 Register here: airtable.com/appX7aSMhtCZTJhsu/shrhH5UUxXDgL6WyL
@followers Sasha Strader @Anne Jones #FASTERWV #AdvantageValleyWV ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
🌟 Final Childcare Business Workshop of 2025! 🌟
Advantage Valley has been proud to host a year-long series of childcare business workshops across our nine-county region — and now, our final session in Mason County is coming up!
If you’ve ever thought about starting or expanding a childcare business — whether from your home or in a larger facility — this is your opportunity to get expert guidance and connect with key local partners.
Participants will learn about:
✅ Business resources, technical assistance, and mini-grant opportunities through the FASTER WV program
✅ Childcare start-up coaching and tools from Wonderschool, including business planning, website setup, and financial management
✅ Insights from local health departments, childcare resource and referral agencies, and fire marshals on permits, safety, and professional development
💡 Don’t miss this final chance to gain the knowledge and resources you need to launch or grow your childcare business.
📍 Advantage Valley Mason County Childcare Workshop
🗓 November 18 | 6:30 PM
📌 Main Street Baptist Church
👉 Register here: www.eventbrite.com/o/advantage-valley-55321568063
#FASTERWV #AdvantageValleyWV #ChildcareBusiness #yesWV #WVEntrepreneurs #MasonCountyWV #SmallBusinessSupport
@followers West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WVSBDC) ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook