Research & Development

The New River Gorge Region is geographically bounded in a research triangle between three of the country's premier institutes for higher education: Virginia Tech, West Virginia University Institute of Tehnology and Marshall University. Endowments provided by the State promote collaboration and retention of highly skilled graduates in the fields of engineering, bio-technology and bio-medicine. Mountain State University in Beckley, Concord University in Athens and an extensive system of New River Community College campuses contribute to an accessible network of professional training and life-long learning. An emphasis on tech-transfer from the academic institutions to the private sector is a top priority in the region. The Strategic Research and Development Credit allows for up to 100% tax offset for R&D projects.

The West Virginia Research Trust Fund, commonly known as "Bucks for Brains"  creates a $50 million endowment, with $35 million going to WVU and $15 million to Marshall. The schools have five years to match their fund dollars with capital raised from private and corporate donations.

A Dependable Workforce

Quality human capital. A coordinated infrastructure for employment, training and lifelong learning.  This is the bottom line for your business and your industry to excel.  And this is West Virginia's greatest resource.

The New River Gorge Area encompasses an available workforce of over 400,000 people. During interviews conducted by Fluor Global Services as part of a strategic analysis of the 4-C EDA Region, employers indicated "no problems finding and retaining a qualified workforce" and "all of the firms interviewed by Fluor rated the quality of their workforce as excellent". Dedication, loyalty, low absenteeism and low turnover are the hallmarks of the workforce of southern West Virginia.

Please visit Workforce West Virginia, an award winning program designed specifically to match the region's quality human capital with local businesses and industry.

Business Entrepreneurship

Since 2000 the average receipts for non-employer firms, a standard for measuring entrepreneurial activity, grew 17% in West Virginia compared to the national average of only 8%. The 4-C EDA recognizes that small businesses and creative development are the backbone of Southern West Virginia. Financial, training and workforce support networks have all been erected to assist the prospective entrepreneur.  An investment in the entrepreneur is a direct investment in the overall health of our communities.

Energy Technologies

Southern West Virginia has historically provided the energy resources around which the country has developed. Blessed with abundant reserves of both conventional fossil fuels and renewable alternative energy fuels, the region is a uniquely equipped to be a leader in emerging energy technologies and practices. Energize West Virginia is an organization developing a new dynamic around sustainable extraction of natural gas; growing the industry from within through education, training, technology and community development.

The Tourism Industry

The pristine natural beauty of the New River Gorge Region coupled with its proximity to major metropolitan centers has made the area a top tourist destination on the East Coast. The area draws millions of tourists each year looking for outdoor adventure and seasonal escapes to a wild country. Steeped in the rich cultural heritage of Appalachian art, music, industry and the Civil War the New River Gorge region supports a thriving year-round tourism industry. The Tourism Development Incentive is available to a company that invests in and operates a new or expanding tourism destination project may receive a return of up to 25 percent of approved development costs over 10 years through a consumer sales tax credit.