IMTS 2024

West Virginia’s prime location, highly productive workforce and pro-business climate are just a few reasons successful companies continue to say #YesWV.

• West Virginia is within a day’s drive of 50% of the U.S. population and a third of the Canadian market.

• West Virginia is a right to work state.

• West Virginia’s workforce recorded the lowest manufacturing turnover rate in the country and is below the national average of turnover rates in all other workforce categories.

• West Virginia’s cost of living is 14% below the national average, boasting a high quality of life with top-ranked universities, fulfilling careers, award-winning health institutions and ample outdoor recreation activities.

Thriving Industry Spotlight:

Information Technology

Technology & Information Services is an emerging industry in West Virginia. This growing cluster of researchers and practitioners includes university research facilities, government agencies and commercial enterprises.

The concentration of Technology and Information Services, specifically our leading biometric organizations in north-central West Virginia, has been called the “Silicon Valley of America’s biometrics activity,” by Wes Bush, CEO of Northrup Grumman Corporation.

These strengths, combined with our state’s skilled workforce, low cost of doing business and high quality of life make West Virginia a great place to relocate, invest and expand.

Manufacturing 

Consumers are in constant contact with products containing elements made in the mountain state. Everything from the base polymers in cosmetics and window seals to finished goods such as spark plugs, tableware, charcoal and kitchen cabinets are made in West Virginia.

The state’s diverse manufacturing sector includes chemicals, biotech/pharmaceuticals, primary metals, automotive components, fabricated products, wood products and more. West Virginia’s workforce ranks first in the U.S. for the lowest turnover rate in manufacturing-specific jobs.