“We were thoroughly impressed with the outreach of the government and all of the municipal organisations. Imagine doing business in a state where all of a sudden you get a call from the governor. That’s a ‘Wow!’ It sends a signal about how truly aggressive and committed the people we will be doing business with are”.

Peter Longo, president, Macy’s Logistics and Operations, Martinsburg, West Virginia.

WEST VIRGINIA’S WELCOMING BUSINESS CLIMATE

West Virginia attracts businesses from all around the world. Our strategic location and productive workforce, combined with low business operating costs, make West Virginia a profitable location to do business.

In the last decade, more than $24 billion worth of new business investments have been made in the state’s economy. Global companies and major brands such as Amazon.com, Alcon Research, Armstrong World Industries, Bayer, Dow, DuPont, Gestamp, Hino Motors Manufacturing USA, Lockheed Martin, Macy’s, Pratt & Whitney, Procter & Gamble and Toyota have discovered the advantages and benefits of locating to West Virginia.

Historically, West Virginia has thrived on traditional energy and manufacturing industries such as coal, chemicals and polymers, aerospace, automotive and wood products. All remain valued contributors to the state’s economy.

Today the West Virginia economy is one that also includes innovation-driven, technology-based businesses, piloted by a highly skilled West Virginia workforce. A growing number of companies leading the advance in biometrics, biotechnology, information technology and renewable energy now operate in the state.

The emergence of Marcellus, Utica and Rogersville Shale has opened up a vast supply of domestic natural gas liquids for the chemical and polymer industry. Access to abundant, low-cost feedstock has created a significant competitive advantage for West Virginia manufacturers. Historically a chemical manufacturing hub, the state is developing a new, thriving cluster of shale gas-fed manufacturers and downstream derivative plants.

West Virginia’s approach to responsible government has produced a positive business climate and the state is clearing the way for business growth through tax cuts, workers’ compensation reform and investment in university research together with other strategic economic development initiatives. We are well positioned as the ideal location for new and expanding British companies.

WHY WEST VIRGINIA?

West Virginia provides access to:

• A skilled and fl exible workforce that has earned a reputation for dedication, loyalty and low absenteeism
• One of the lowest manufacturing industry employee turnover rates in the nation
• Low business operating costs and low utility rates
• A strategic location with overnight delivery to more than half the US population, with an extensive network of interstate highways, navigable rivers and rail systems
• Low cost of living for employees and high quality of life including unparalleled outdoor recreational activities
• A higher education system that includes 32 colleges, universities and vocational and community technical colleges

WE ARE HERE TO HELP

The West Virginia Department of Commerce’s Development Office is here to help your company find its edge in West Virginia. Our highest priority is meeting your company’s needs by providing aggressive development assistance. The Development Office team provides research and technical support including competitiveness studies, analysis and a variety of data to reduce start-up and operating costs.