Discover West Virginia where industry, technology and education thrive.

Acquaint yourself with a state where a loyal and skilled work force is dedicated to deliver a remarkable profit margin.

Get to know the hills and valleys where resources abound and a good quality of life is guaranteed.

Catch the spirit of the Mountain State which explores the new challenges of tomorrow with internationally recognized expertise and world-class research facilities.

Capitalize on West Virginia's energy and its people who pledge effective and efficient support for flourishing private industry.

Find out why West Virginia is Open for Business - big and small.

Location

West Virginia is centrally located in the Eastern United States - between the Detroit Region in the Midwest, the South and Northeast. The United States capital, Washington, DC, is just 90 km from the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia.

West Virginia's strategic location has attracted many companies that rely on our capability of same-day delivery to

• 50% of the U.S. population,
• 33% of the Canadian population,
• 79% of the automotive manufacturing market,
• 71% of the national pharmaceuticals market,
• 54% of all U.S. manufacturing capacity,
• 52% of the U.S. wholesale trade markets,
• 49% of all retail sales and
• 50% of the overall biomedical technology market.

One of the newest interstate systems in the United States links east/west interstates with north/south interstates creating easy access from, to and throughout West Virginia.

The Washington Dulles International and Pittsburgh International aiports are within a one-hour drive of much of the state. Direct flights for passengers and freight connect the state to Baltimore, Detroit, Atlanta, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Washington, DC and other major destinations in the United States.

People & Savings

• The 2005 Milken Institute Cost of Doing Business Index showed that West Virginia's cost of doing business was 14% below the United States' average.
• 2007 Energy Information Administration data shows that West Virginia has the 2nd lowest industrial and overall electricity rates in the nation.
• West Virginia's overall annual average manufacturing payroll is 84% of the national average.
• The Polymer Alliance Zone of West Virginia (PAZ) has the highest concentration of high technology, specialty and engineering polymer production in the world.
• West Virginia is home to 73 chemical plants and 100 chemical distribution centers. The chemical industry has a community approval rating of over 80%, one of the highest in the nation.
• As an example of a qualified and motivated workforce, over 4,000 people applied for 80 jobs in a matter of ten days in 2007 at the new Hino Motors truck manufacturing plant in West Virginia - and 3,700 of them were prequalified to be reviewed. 
• As an example of outstanding business performance, the 4-cylinder engine manufacturing lines at Toyota's Engine Production in West Virginia has been rated the most productive in North America by the Harbour Report - six out of the last severn years. (Stand: 2008) 
• The Governor's Guaranteed Workforce Program provides up to $2,000 for training per employee for every job created. This funding can be used for training costs in the state or sending West Virginia-based employees to Europe for training.
• In 2006, Forbes magazine ranked Morgantown, West Virginia 5th for "Best Small Places for Business" in the United States.
• FBI Uniform Crime Statistics report that West Virginia has the 4th lowest crime index in the United States.

Not only do we have plenty of advantages to offer business and industry, but our high quality of life offers all who make West Virginia home a safe, friendly, close-knit environment and peace of mind that’s unique to the Mountain State. Our communities are made up of residents tightly bound to the improvement of local conditions and economic growth as well as the overall well-being of the state. Two major research universities in Morgantown and Huntington as well as over 20 other institutes of higher education contribute to the technological development, scholarship and cultural richness of our state. And with the nationally-recognized Greenbrier Resort, hundreds of miles of bike trails and forest paths, championship golf courses and some of the nation's most beautiful and challenging whitewater rivers, West Virginia’s natural beauty and outdoor recreation opportunities are second to none in the Eastern United States.

We’re not only a great state to do business; we're a great state to call home. Come invest in West Virginia: 

Live & Work Where Others Vacation!

West Virginia European Office, Munich, Germany

The West Virginia European Office wants to work with you and your business with any questions or concerns that may arise while deliberating or planning an expansion in the North American market - confidentially and cost-free.

Together with our colleagues in West Virginia, our responsive and professional service is unmatched, especially for mid-sized or smaller projects.

• Incentive maximization,
• fast-track permitting,
• site identification,
• special financing,
• regulatory coordination.

These are just a few of the services we offer.

Please feel free to contact us anytime to further discuss the opportunities for your company in North America or gather more information about West Virginia and the United States.



We welcome the opportunity to visit you personally.

Sven Gerzer, Director
sgerzer@west-virginia.eu

Holly McGinness, Marketing Manager
hmcginness@west-virginia.eu

Im Amerika Haus
Karolinenplatz 3
80333 Munich / Germany

Tel: +49 89 5488 4112
Fax: +49 89 5488 4133

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