West Virginia’s Business Site Shortfall Exposes State’s Economic Vulnerability
While neighboring states boast dozens of shovel-ready business sites, West Virginia remains dangerously unprepared—putting its economic future at risk.
West Virginia stands at a crossroads, revealing a stark reality: it is losing ground to neighboring states in the race to attract new businesses due to an alarming shortage of shovel-ready industrial sites. On the Ohio River in Wood County, officials are scrambling to prepare just two locations for development—a small step after years of inertia that threatens the state’s long-term economic sovereignty.
Unlike Ohio, Kentucky, and Virginia—which maintain robust catalogs with over 30 certified industrial sites ready for immediate investment—West Virginia has none. A three-year-old program designed to change this has barely moved beyond its infancy. This gap isn’t mere oversight; it’s a structural failure that directly endangers job creation and prosperity for hardworking West Virginians.
Can a Half-Hearted Effort Keep West Virginia Competitive?
The consequences of this deficiency are not hypothetical. In 2018, the state lost a $1.6 billion Toyota-Mazda manufacturing facility to Alabama because West Virginia lacked an inventory of ready-to-build properties and faced drawn-out environmental reviews that would have stalled progress for months. Alabama, by contrast, invested heavily—$30 million since last year—into their site readiness programs and now offers companies nearly 30 certified sites ready for immediate development.
This competitive disadvantage highlights a broader principle crucial to America First economic strategy: national and regional sovereignty begins with preparedness. States that fail to proactively develop infrastructure that supports business growth compromise their ability to secure investments that build local communities and strengthen national resilience.
Why Has West Virginia Fallen Behind Its Neighbors?
The state’s Economic Development Department announced its first grant allocation only recently, despite lawmakers approving $5 million in funding back in 2022. More than 100 potential sites were evaluated but only ten met preliminary viability standards—a telling sign of decades-long neglect.
Lack of investment in basic infrastructure such as sewer systems, water access, broadband connectivity, and environmental cleanup makes many properties off-limits or prohibitively expensive for new employers. Without these essentials, companies unwillingly turn elsewhere where governments have taken decisive action.
This reluctance contrasts sharply with strategic approaches from surrounding states who understand that accelerating business readiness is essential—not optional—for attracting employers who bring jobs and economic independence to their citizens.
Lindsey Piersol, director of Wood County Economic Development office summed it up plainly: “We’re basically doing a company’s due diligence and their homework for them. It’s the most important aspect of economic development.” If Washington continues ignoring this reality by underfunding or delaying priorities vital to regional competitiveness, how long before more opportunities slip away?
The failure is more than bureaucratic sluggishness—it is a threat to individual liberty and prosperity for families counting on stable employment. Business leaders like Steve Roberts, president of the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce, warn that surrounding states’ “well thought through” efforts make the difference between thriving communities or those stuck in decline.
This moment demands urgency: will West Virginia rise with strategic funding commitments and clear prioritization? Or will it watch more businesses choose friendly neighbors over its neglected lands?