About the State

West Virginia is located in the heart of Appalachia, strategically located and connected to major metropolitan areas up and down the Eastern U.S. and Canada. Learn how our low cost of living and pro-business tax climate coupled with a high quality of life make life better here.

Key Industries

West Virginia's diverse economy has moved beyond our history of resource extraction to include a robust array of products and services. Learn about the key industries that have taken a foothold here and learn why leading companies make their home in the Mountain State.

Business Assistance

The West Virginia Development Office works hard to make the process of locating in West Virginia smooth and seamless. Our team walks with businesses every step of the way to locate a new site, expand facilities, export goods, train to employees, and much more.

Global Engagement

West Virginia is home to more than 130 businesses representing 27 countries from around the world, and West Virginia businesses export goods and services to more than 95 countries. Learn how our international team works out of three worldwide office to foster global engagement.

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Newsroom

Marcellus and Manufacturing Conference Gathers State and National Experts to Tout West Virginia’s Continued Expansion in the Industry

Friday, April 12 2019

This week, the West Virginia Development Office partnered with the West Virginia Manufacturers Association for the 8th Annual Marcellus and Manufacturing Development Conference, held in Morgantown. This growing event hosted companies interested in locating new facilities or expanding existing Marcellus and Manufacturing operations in the state.

“What we are witnessing now feels like an energy renaissance to me,” said Ed Gaunch, West Virginia’s Secretary of Commerce. “The opportunities for continued shale development in the Mountain State are limitless as the diversification and expansion of natural gas industry continues.”

Started in 2011, the Marcellus and Manufacturing Conference was created to provide companies and industry leaders the opportunity to gain an expanded understanding of the potential for ethane and ethylene- related product development in West Virginia. In its 8th year, the conference programming expanded to include discussions about economic development and industry specific workforce needs.

“Our development office team is on the front lines marketing West Virginia, its abundant resources and dedicated workforce to the rest of the world,” said Mike Graney, executive director of the West Virginia Development Office. “West Virginia has several strategic advantages, including tax incentives, environmental permitting and available site options that make the state extremely attractive to companies looking to expand their energy and manufacturing operations.”

This year’s keynote address was provided by Steve Winberg, assistant secretary for Fossil Energy at the United States Department of Energy. He spoke on energy priorities for the country as well as the future expansion of the industry in West Virginia.

“As we look at this part of the country, we not only have rich natural resources, but we have a community that is deeply rooted in manufacturing,” said Winberg. “When you factor in a resource base that includes world-class, higher education institutions and West Virginia’s access to the National Energy Technology Laboratory in Morgantown, you see the opportunity to build this sector of the economy exponentially in the Appalachian Region.”

To learn more about the Mountain State’s growing energy industry, visit westvirginia.gov/energy.