“The county’s possibilities really are endless with the proper contribute to a good quality of life for our residents, families
vision to see them,” she says. “Berkeley County is marketing and children who live here,” she says.
to businesses that support the needs of our citizens and those
Another ongoing project in Jefferson County is the con-
that will diversify our market.”
struction of the new 460,000-square-foot Rockwool North
A lot of new businesses and plants have opened in Berkeley America facility in Ranson. Rockwool has made a $150 million
County in the last 10 years. Macy’s Inc. opened a $150 million, investment in the facility, which will manufacture stone wool
1.3-million-square-foot distribution and fulfillment center in insulation. This investment will create 150 new jobs for the
Martinsburg in 2012. The plant was expected to hire 1,200 full- area’s residents.
time employees and more than 700 seasonal
Harpers Ferry National Historic Park in Jefferson County.
associates over the last seven years. Last year,
Photo by National Park Service.
Procter & Gamble opened a plant in Martins-
burg and hired more than 1,000 employees, the
majority of whom were from West Virginia.
In the second half of 2019, an international
company is scheduled to announce it will be
building a new plant in Martinsburg as well. In
the future, the county hopes to improve traffic
conditions outside The Commons shopping
center, which has become heavily congested due
to the influx of new businesses and restaurants
in the area.
“I am currently working with manufacturers
who are considering locating in Berkeley
County,” she says. “It is important that all our
citizens have the opportunity to live and work
in Berkeley County and have as many choices
as possible. This is the major significance in bringing manu-
“Many of the Rockwool jobs will be manufacturing
facturers and similar businesses to our county.”
positions,” says Goodwin. “Manufacturing has been declining
Hamilton believes the county is great for economic develop in Jefferson County, but the industry offers on average higher-
ment due to its access to major markets, business-friendly paying salaries with benefits than many of our retail and hospi-
environment, community partnerships that are supportive of tality businesses. It’s important to broaden the local economy to
business, relatively low cost of living, infrastructure, growing help increase and diversify the tax base for Jefferson County.”
population and educational resources.
To accomplish the plethora of projects currently underway
“We will continue to work together to improve the future in the county, the JCDA works with a variety of local and state
of Berkeley through controlled growth and diversity. We will partners, including county municipal governments, regional
continue to assess, solicit and recruit businesses that benefit our planning organizations, utilities, educational institutions and
community,” she says. “My future goals are simplistic: ensure state-level partners such as the West Virginia Department
our citizens have a choice to remain in Berkeley County for of Commerce, West Virginia Development Office and West
sustainable employment, welcome new citizens to our beautiful Virginia Infrastructure and Jobs Development Council.
county to live and work and foster growth and retention for
“We work together to attract new industries, assist existing
our new and existing businesses.”
businesses with expansion, improve infrastructure and develop
workforce training programs,” says Goodwin. “It is essential
Jefferson County
to develop and maintain good working relationships at all
The Jefferson County Development Authority (JCDA) is levels. We want to create jobs to improve the well-being of our
working to advance manufacturing, small businesses and residents and quality of life in our communities.”
tourism while also growing its technology, health care and
agriculture and food industries by working on a variety of Morgan County
projects to bring new jobs to the county. For example, TeMa
Historically, Morgan County has faced a series of challenges
North America opened a manufacturing plant in Kearneysville, in improving its development, including a lack of infrastructure
which will provide up to 30 new jobs, and Blossman Gas is and workforce training and poor access to higher education.
building a propane distribution facility in the Burr Business Park The county is home to Cacapon State Park, which has been
of Kearneysville, which will employ about 20 people. The in need of updates for decades, according to Daryl Cowles,
Jefferson County Convention & Visitors Bureau is also expanding executive director of the Morgan County Economic Development
the Harpers Ferry Visitors Center to highlight the area’s rich Authority.
history, recreational amenities and tourism destinations,
“We are making great leaps in progress on each item,” he
according to Lyn Goodwin, interim director at the JCDA.
says. “I think our needs have received attention in part due
“In addition to attracting numerous visitors, the historical, to preparation, broad local support and the ability for state
cultural and recreational opportunities that are available in leaders to better understand the economic potential of the
Harpers Ferry and Jefferson County provide amenities and Eastern Panhandle.”
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WEST VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE