linked to a series of store closures throughout the region. At
the same time, the region has had its share of positive news,
thanks to broader growth and development of the Appalachian
Shale Basin. In particular, the construction of the Mountaineer
XPress pipeline and Sherwood Lateral for the Rover II pipe-
line led to the addition of several thousand high-wage jobs in
Jackson County and other parts of the region.
Another positive economic driver for the area is Hino Motor
Manufacturing’s expansion, which will lead to a few hundred
new production and assembly jobs at its new facility in Min-
eral Wells. Although the region does face many of the same
long-term demographic and workforce-related challenges that
are facing other parts of the state and will also likely see addi-
tional job losses in parts of its older manufacturing base, the
Mid-Ohio Valley is well situated from a geographic perspective
to benefit from spillover growth associated with the ongoing
expansion in shale gas production in southeastern Ohio and
adjacent regions in West Virginia. In addition, the area contains
a critical mass of chemical manufacturing, available land and
river/highway transportation infrastructure options to bolster
its chances of attracting downstream natural gas processing
activity over the longer term.
Allegheny Highlands
The Allegheny Highlands region has seen some economic
declines in recent years. Much of the region’s primary oppor-
tunities lie in tourism, given the region’s attractive natural
amenities and the strengths that already exist in areas such
as Elkins and Snowshoe. Similar to the Potomac Highlands,
economic development priorities should include marketing the
region’s tourism opportunities more effectively and improving
access through various infrastructure enhancements.
Potomac Highlands
The Potomac Highlands has experienced some wage gains in
recent years, although employment has been flat. Nonetheless,
the region has experienced some positive developments. For
example, the region’s wood products industry, led by American
Woodmark’s Moorefield facility, has bounced back from the
recession and is now seeing increasing employment. In April,
Northrop Grumman announced plans to expand operations
at its Mineral County manufacturing plant, adding as many as
500 new jobs. However, in the same month, Verso Corporation
announced it will shut down its paper mill in neighboring
Luke, MD, laying off 675 workers, many of whom live in
West Virginia.
Ultimately, this region has potential for growth in several
areas. For instance, the region offers a lot of opportunities for
expanded tourism and second homes, as well as manufactur-
ing and agriculture. Economic development priorities should
include factors such as marketing the region’s tourism opportuni-
ties more effectively, supporting growing industrial clusters such
as wood products and advanced materials manufacturing and
improving access through various infrastructure enhancements.
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