In the heart of Appalachia, something exciting is happening. A region with a deep industrial past is quietly becoming one of the smartest bets for the future of chemical and polymer manufacturing.
Welcome to Advantage Valley, a 13-county corridor stretching from Charleston to Huntington, West Virginia. It is where legacy meets innovation, and where manufacturers are finding the right mix of location, resources, talent, and affordability to grow sustainably and profitably.
If you are in the chemical or polymer space and thinking about expansion, relocation, or launching a new operation, here is why you should take a serious look at this region.
A Location That Puts You Within Reach
Advantage Valley sits within a 500-mile radius of over half the U.S. population and one-third of the Canadian market. That means millions of customers, partners, and suppliers are all within a day’s reach.
This region is strategically located and is a logistical hub, with six major highways, four navigable rivers, two Class I railroads, and two commercial airports. Whether you are shipping by rail, barge, truck, or plane, the infrastructure here is built for business.
Natural Gas Liquids: A Game-Changing Feedstock Advantage
The Marcellus and Utica Shale formations in West Virginia are among the most prolific natural gas fields in North America, rich in natural gas liquids (NGLs) like ethane, propane, and butane. These formations offer some of the lowest-cost NGL feedstock in the developed world, making the region highly attractive for downstream industries such as petrochemicals and plastics manufacturing. NGLs are critical raw materials used to produce a wide range of everyday products, from packaging and textiles to automotive components. Access to this affordable and abundant feedstock gives manufacturers in West Virginia a distinct competitive edge.
IHS Markit found that a petrochemical complex in the Shale Crescent USA region (WV, OH, PA) could realize a Net Present Value up to four times higher than a comparable facility on the Gulf Coast. That’s due to one key advantage: low-cost feedstock right next to high-demand markets.
A Workforce That Knows the Industry
Chemical and polymer companies don’t just need workers; they need skilled, reliable, experienced teams. The region’s workforce in chemical manufacturing is four times more concentrated than the national average. More than 2,000 people currently work in the sector locally, nearly triple what you’d expect for a region this size.
West Virginia’s workforce is not going anywhere. BridgeValley Community & Technical College, along with other institutions, offers a specialized one-year Chemical Operator program to quickly train talent for plant operations, production, and safety roles. Whether you need engineers, electricians, or production techs, Advantage Valley has a steady, trained talent pool ready to go.
An Operating Environment That Works for Business
The cost of doing business in Advantage Valley is among the lowest in the nation, without sacrificing quality. West Virginia ranks #3 in the U.S. for lowest cost of doing business and #1 for affordability of living (CNBC, 2024). Industrial electricity and natural gas prices are significantly below national averages, and commercial property taxes are among the lowest in the country.
Sites Are Ready for Business
Whether you are building new or repurposing existing infrastructure, Advantage Valley has sites that are ready to go. ALTIVIA’s Institute Industrial Park spans 400 acres with access to the Kanawha River and major rail lines. Dow’s South Charleston campus produces more than 500 different chemicals and plastics. The Chemours Belle Plant, located just east of Charleston, is a 723-acre powerhouse for specialty chemical production. These sites already serve global companies, and they’re expanding. Whether you need utilities, space, or regulatory clarity, the foundation is already in place.
Incentives That Accelerate Growth
West Virginia and local Advantage Valley leaders have built a suite of business assistance programs designed for manufacturers. From property tax reductions under the “Five for Twenty-Five” program, to the Manufacturing Sales Tax Exemption, to relocation and investment tax credits, businesses have access to real savings. Workforce development support through the West Virginia Advance Program also helps companies train and retain top talent from day one.
So, Why Not Here? Why Not Now?
Advantage Valley is where chemical and polymer manufacturers are finding the ideal blend of:
- Strategic location
- Feedstock access
- Skilled labor
- Business-friendly costs
- Available industrial sites
- Public-private collaboration
If You are looking to build, expand, or transform your chemical or polymer operations, there is no better time or place to make your move.
Chemical industrial parks throughout the state offer access to shared services and colocation at sites with significant infrastructure and existing permits. That’s why chemical and polymer companies like Dow, M&G Chemicals, Covestro, Chemours, DuPont, Kureha, Elementis Specialties, ICL IP America, Braskem America, and U.S. Methanol have significant operations here.
We invite you to explore the full Advantage Valley Competitiveness Report: Chemical and Polymer Manufacturing Sector to dive deeper into the data, incentives, workforce insights, and site opportunities that make this region uniquely positioned for growth.
West Virginia is ready for your business. Come see why so many companies are choosing to grow here, and why now is the time to join them.
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