West Virginia Development Office

West Virginia Development Office
Name	West Virginia Development Office
Formed	20th century
Jurisdiction	West Virginia
Headquarters	Charleston, West Virginia
Chief1 name	Director
Parent agency	State government of West Virginia

West Virginia Development Office The West Virginia Development Office is a state-level economic development agency located in Charleston, West Virginia that coordinates business attraction, workforce initiatives, and infrastructure projects across Appalachia, Monongalia County, West Virginia, and other regions. It works with federal entities such as the United States Department of Commerce, regional bodies like the Appalachian Regional Commission, and local authorities including the Kanawha County, West Virginia commission to promote investment, job creation, and export expansion in sectors such as energy, manufacturing, and tourism. The office engages with universities including West Virginia University and Marshall University, nonprofit organizations like the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce, and private firms to implement statewide strategies.

History

The office traces roots to mid-20th-century state efforts paralleling initiatives from the New Deal, postwar redevelopment programs influenced by the Tennessee Valley Authority model, and later reforms following reports by the National Governors Association. Early programs reflected partnerships with agencies such as the Economic Development Administration and responded to crises like the decline of the coal industry highlighted in studies by United Mine Workers of America researchers. Throughout the late 20th and early 21st centuries the office adapted to shifts driven by legislation like the Tax Reform Act of 1986 and federal grant trends from the U.S. Department of Transportation, while interacting with regional development plans from the Ohio Valley Regional Development Commission.

Organization and Governance

The office is overseen by a director appointed under statutes adopted by the West Virginia Legislature and coordinates with the Governor of West Virginia's economic team. Internal divisions mirror national practice with units analogous to divisions at the Small Business Administration and the Export-Import Bank of the United States for trade facilitation. Advisory boards include representatives from institutions such as West Virginia University Institute of Technology and organizations like the West Virginia Manufacturers Association, while oversight mechanisms reference auditing standards similar to those used by the Government Accountability Office and rules promulgated by the West Virginia Secretary of State.

Programs and Services

The office administers incentive programs comparable to enterprise zones like those studied by the Urban Institute and provides site development services akin to initiatives by SelectUSA. Services include business recruitment coordination with chambers such as the Greater Huntington Chamber of Commerce, export assistance linked to U.S. Commercial Service practices, and workforce development collaborations with entities including Workforce West Virginia and community colleges such as Mountwest Community and Technical College. Specific offerings include tax credits, infrastructure grants patterned after Economic Development Administration awards, and regulatory streamlining efforts referencing models from the National Association of Development Organizations.

Economic Development Initiatives

Major initiatives target sectors also prioritized by regional strategies like those from the Appalachian Regional Commission and national roadmaps such as the Advanced Manufacturing Partnership. Projects include brownfield redevelopment projects coordinated with the Environmental Protection Agency, energy transition programs engaging stakeholders like American Electric Power and research centers at West Virginia University Energy Institute, and tourism promotion working with entities such as the Tourism Bureau of West Virginia and historical sites like Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. The office has supported infrastructure projects intersecting with the Federal Highway Administration and rail improvements in coordination with the Norfolk Southern Railway and CSX Transportation.

Funding and Budget

Funding streams combine state appropriations from the West Virginia Legislature with competitive grants from federal agencies such as the Economic Development Administration, loans through programs similar to the U.S. Small Business Administration lending initiatives, and private investment facilitated by partnerships with banks like BB&T and PNC Financial Services. Budget oversight aligns with accounting practices used by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board and audits referencing procedures from the Office of Management and Budget. Periodic budget hearings occur before committees of the West Virginia House of Delegates and the West Virginia Senate.

Partnerships and Regional Development

The office maintains partnerships with regional bodies including the Appalachian Regional Commission, the Ohio Valley Regional Development Commission, and metropolitan planning organizations such as the Charleston Area Alliance. Collaborative projects involve higher-education partners like Marshall University Graduate College and workforce entities such as Goodwill Industries of Kanawha Valley and Southern West Virginia, along with private developers and trade associations including the West Virginia Coal Association and the West Virginia Oil and Natural Gas Association. Cross-border collaborations extend to neighboring state agencies in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Kentucky to align corridors, workforce pipelines, and investment promotion.

Category:State agencies of West Virginia Category:Economic development organizations in the United States