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.
We’re super grateful for the continued support of HHuntington Area Development Council-HADCO
As a valued partner and investor, your generous commitment advances business attraction, business retention, and encouraging entrepreneurship ~ all which help to strengthen our regional economy.
Thank you for helping shape the future of Advantage Valley, WV!
#RegionalImpact #EconomicDevelopment #yesWV ... See MoreSee Less
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🚀 The sky isn’t the limit—it’s just the launchpad.
Navy veteran David Crabtree Jr. took his passion for aviation and turned it into something bigger than a business—he’s building West Virginia’s drone future.
Through @Appalachian UAV Academy in Milton, WV, David is training the next generation of pilots for the fast-growing unmanned aerial systems (UAS) industry.
With support from Advantage Valley, his vision is taking flight—equipping students with real skills, real certifications, and real opportunity.
✈️ From military precision to entrepreneurial impact…this is what building from the ground up looks like.
👉 Read his success story here:
advantagevalley.com/entrepreneurship/meet-the-entrepreneur/
#advantagevalleywv #FASTERWV #entrepreneurship #drones #UAS #yesWV ... See MoreSee Less
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A sincere thank you to Dickinson Real Estate 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 grateful to have you as a partner!
#InvestIntheRegion #advantagevalleywv #YesWV
J.Q. Dickinson Salt-Works @followers ... See MoreSee Less
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NEW 🚀 FASTER WV Outdoor Business Accelerator 🌿
Got an idea for an outdoor business? Or already running one and ready to grow? This is your chance to turn your passion for the outdoors into something real.
📅 Kickoff (In-Person): May 7 (9 AM – 6 PM)
💻 Virtual Workshops: May 13, 20, 27 (5 – 6:30 PM)
💲 FREE to participate
👥 Only 20 spots available
Who should join?
• Future entrepreneurs with outdoor ideas
• Outdoor lovers ready to build a business
• Existing businesses looking for new growth strategies
• Entrepreneurs in the Advantage Valley and surrounding region!
Think: guiding, gear, tourism, trails, wellness experiences & more
If your business connects people to the outdoors… this program is for you.
👉 Apply now: airtable.com/appIh2ilT0JLFtCCt/shrKIQf2OR9SAbvQv
#outdooreconomy #startup #accelerator #advantagevalleyWV #FASTERWV #yesWV Founded Outdoors Elk River Trail Foundation New River Gorge Regional Development Authority WV OUTDOORS UC Downtown Innovation Hub West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WVSBDC) Brad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative @followers ... See MoreSee Less
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We are proud to recognize United Bank as a valued investor in Advantage Valley.
Their commitment to business attraction, workforce development, and entrepreneurship strengthens our region’s long-term economic vitality. Because of partners like United Bank, we can recruit new companies while supporting the growth of those already rooted here.
Thank you for investing in the future of Advantage Valley.
#InvestintheRegion #AdvantageValleyWV #YesWV
United Bank ... See MoreSee Less
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We are pleased to recognize Appalachian Power as a Industry Anchor Investor in Advantage Valley.
Their investment fuels strategic business recruitment, strengthens existing industries, and advances entrepreneurship throughout the region.
We appreciate your commitment which powers economic growth and regional competitiveness.
#investintheregion #AdvantageValleyWV #YesWV ... See MoreSee Less
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