Advantage Valley Welcomes Major Manufacturing Investment to Putnam County
$25 Million Project Expected to Create 120 New Jobs at Regional Industrial Facility
CHARLESTON, W.V. (May 14, 2026) — Advantage Valley, Inc. announced today that global engineering group Sandvik and Alpha Metallurgical Resources (NYSE: AMR) plan to establish a new manufacturing operation at its Waterways Industrial Park in Putnam County through a projected $25 million investment expected to create at least 120 new jobs in the region.
The new joint venture will locate operations within the 100,000-square-foot industrial facility owned and operated by Advantage Valley, Inc. as part of the organization’s long-term strategy to develop and market competitive industrial sites that attract investment, strengthen regional infrastructure, and support economic growth across the Advantage Valley region.
“This announcement is a direct reflection of the work being done across our region to ensure West Virginia is competitive for major industrial investment opportunities,” said Toney Stroud, Chairman of Advantage Valley. “Site readiness and strategic site selection are critical factors for companies evaluating expansion opportunities, and Advantage Valley has remained committed to developing facilities and partnerships that position our region for long-term growth.”
Over the last several years, Advantage Valley has rehabilitated the industrial property through more than $6.5 million in funding from the U.S. Economic Development Administration and West Virginia Economic Development Authority to prepare the facility for high-quality manufacturing tenants like Sandvik. Construction financing was provided by Poca Valley Bank.
“When we first took over the building, it was not a marketable industrial space,” said Terrell Ellis, Advantage Valley’s President & CEO. “With the help of our partners, we have transformed this facility from the ground up into a site ready for development and industrial investment. While West Virginia’s topography can sometimes present challenges in business attraction, Advantage Valley’s focus has been on creating competitive, site-ready locations that help us better market the region despite those challenges. We have worked intentionally to market the region, strengthen site development opportunities, and create an environment where companies can move projects forward quickly and successfully. This project is a success story for what regional collaboration and strategic site development can accomplish.”
Sandvik has entered into an agreement to form a joint venture with Alpha Metallurgical Resources to establish local manufacturing operations for its Ground Support business serving the U.S. market focused on rock bolt and resin capsule manufacturing. The partnership marks Sandvik’s return to domestic manufacturing for its Ground Support division and is expected to strengthen customer relationships, reduce lead times, and support long-term growth across the North American market.
The joint venture also advances Alpha Metallurgical Resources’ efforts to strengthen its domestic supply chain by increasing the production of mining materials in Central Appalachia, further supporting industrial growth and manufacturing investment in West Virginia. In addition to supplying Alpha Metallurgical Resources, the joint venture will also manufacture and distribute ground support products to customers throughout the United States.
Advantage Valley continues to work across the region to support economic opportunities related to business growth, housing, workforce development, and childcare accessibility. Recently, the Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation honored the organization with the Change Maker Award for its efforts supporting small business growth and regional economic development initiatives.
“Our role as a regional economic development organization is to look at the broader web of connections and understand how economies grow from a regional perspective,” Ellis said. “From supporting small businesses to securing major investments like the one we are announcing today, our role is to build the relationships, partnerships, and connections necessary to bring these opportunities together and create long-term growth for the region.”
For more information about Advantage Valley please visit www.advantagevalley.com
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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.