Charleston, W.Va. – October 2, 2026 – On National Manufacturing Day, Advantage Valley announces it has been awarded a $2 million Appalachian Regional Commission POWER grant to continue and expand its successful Expanding Markets initiative, a regional program that provides technical assistance and market-development support to manufacturers and business-service companies across the Charleston-Huntington Metro Region. The initiative will serve businesses in Boone, Cabell, Clay, Jackson, Kanawha, Lincoln, Mason, Putnam and Wayne counties, helping companies grow sales, access new markets, strengthen supply chains and build long-term economic resiliency across the region.
“We are excited and deeply grateful for ARC’s support of this important work,” said Terrell Ellis, President and CEO of Advantage Valley. “Our region has tremendous manufacturing strength, and this grant will help us build on that momentum by connecting companies to new customers, new markets and new supply chain opportunities. This is about helping existing businesses grow faster, become more competitive and create lasting economic opportunity for our communities.”
Through the three-year grant, Advantage Valley and its local, state and federal partners will provide targeted assistance to manufacturers, suppliers and other participating businesses. The initiative is expected to serve 225 businesses, create 200 new jobs, retain 150 jobs, facilitate $25 million in private investment and create 70 new supply chain connections.
Industrial Bolting Technologies, a Charleston-based manufacturer of hydraulic torque tools sold to customers around the world, is one example of the type of advanced manufacturing company Advantage Valley is working to help grow. The company reflects the region’s ability to support highly specialized manufacturing while creating skilled jobs, strengthening supplier networks and expanding West Virginia’s presence in global markets.
“Every successful advanced manufacturer helps change perceptions about what is possible in West Virginia,” said Ellis. “Companies like Industrial Bolting Technologies show that Charleston is not only a place with a strong industrial history, but a place where highly specialized products can be engineered, manufactured and sold around the world. When a company can build precision products here and compete globally, it sends a powerful message that other advanced manufacturers can succeed here, too.”
Industrial Bolting has also benefited directly from the Expanding Markets initiative, including participation in the Economic Gardening Program, which connects growth-oriented companies with specialized research, market intelligence and business-development support.
“Expanding Markets has been a valuable resource for Industrial Bolting because it connected us with expertise, relationships and opportunities that would have been difficult and costly for us to build on our own,” said Mike McCown, owner of Industrial Bolting Technologies. “The Economic Gardening Program helped us reach new customers, strengthen our operations and compete at a global level.”
The new grant will allow Advantage Valley and its partners to expand that type of assistance while placing an increased emphasis on strengthening domestic manufacturing supply chains and identifying opportunities to reshore production.
A major new component of Expanding Markets is support for Reshore WV, an initiative designed to identify products West Virginia companies currently purchase from overseas and connect that demand with manufacturers capable of producing those goods domestically.
“Reshoring is a major opportunity to turn supply-chain risk into new business for West Virginia manufacturers,” said Ed Ryan, Founder and CEO of Reshore Technologies. “By giving companies better visibility into what is being imported and where West Virginia manufacturers have the capability to compete, Reshore WV can help create practical connections that lead to new customers, new production and stronger domestic supply chains.”
Key grant investments include:
- $126,000 each to the Charleston Area Alliance, Putnam County Development Authority, Huntington Area Development Council, Jackson County Development Authority and Mason County Development Authority to support a business retention and expansion staff position in each office;
- $168,000 to Marshall University’s Advanced Manufacturing Center (MAMC) to provide technical support for supply chain connections;
- $225,000 to help participating companies procure professional services related to operations, marketing and process improvement, including participation in the Reshore WV initiative;
- $116,000 to secure export assistance designed to help companies expand international sales in partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Rural Export Center; and
- Customized support for small food manufacturers, including training, market access and trade show opportunities and support associated with a new commercial kitchen incubator.
The five local economic development partners will provide on-the-ground business retention and expansion assistance, while MAMC will continue working with Advantage Valley to strengthen regional business-to-business supply chains through supplier connections, manufacturing supply chain expos and the B2B WV online marketplace. At the October 2 announcement, Advantage Valley presented grant checks to the Charleston Area Alliance and MAMC representing their respective program awards of $126,000 and $168,000.
“Manufacturers grow when they can find the right capabilities, suppliers and customers,” said Derek Scarbro, Director of the Marshall Advanced Manufacturing Center. “This partnership gives us additional capacity to make those connections, help companies solve real production and supply chain challenges, and keep more manufacturing opportunities here in West Virginia.”
In addition to ARC funds, local sources are providing $937,000 in matching support, bringing total project investment to $2,937,000. Matching support includes contributions from the Charleston Area Alliance, Huntington Area Development Council, Jackson County Development Authority, Mason County Development Authority, Putnam County Development Authority, Marshall University’s Advanced Manufacturing Center, and The Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation.
“Manufacturing is a cornerstone of West Virginia’s economy, and its continued growth is essential to creating jobs and strengthening our communities,” said Mara Boggs, President and CEO of the Charleston Area Alliance. “The Expanding Markets program demonstrates what we can accomplish when economic development organizations across the region work together. By combining local business support with expertise in supply chains, operations, marketing, reshoring and international markets, we are giving West Virginia manufacturers more tools to compete and grow. We are grateful to the Appalachian Regional Commission, Advantage Valley and our regional partners for their leadership and look forward to putting these resources to work for businesses throughout the Kanawha Valley.”
For more information, visit advantagevalley.com.
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About Advantage Valley
Advantage Valley, Inc. is a regional economic development organization whose mission is to grow economic opportunity in the Charleston-Huntington Metro Area by increasing investment in the region, leveraging resources, and building collaboration among community stakeholders. More information is available at advantagevalley.com.
About the Appalachian Regional Commission
The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) is an economic development agency of the federal government and 13 state governments focusing on 423 counties across the Appalachian region. ARC’s mission is to innovate, partner, and invest to build community capacity and strengthen economic growth in Appalachia and help the region achieve socioeconomic parity with the nation. More information is available at www.arc.gov.
About National Manufacturing Day
National Manufacturing Day, also known as MFG Day, is celebrated annually on the first Friday in October and is a national initiative of The Manufacturing Institute, the workforce development and education affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers. MFG Day brings manufacturers, educators, students and communities together to showcase modern manufacturing, highlight career opportunities and strengthen awareness of the industry’s role in the U.S. economy. In 2026, Manufacturing Day is observed on October 2, with events and activities continuing throughout the month.