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Fairmont : WV ’ s Big Back Yard
( 304 ) 366-6211 | fairmontwv . gov 200 Jackson Street , Fairmont , WV 26554
The City of Fairmont , chartered in 1899 and originally founded as Middletown , VA , in 1820 , is full of robust history . The Fairmont of the past was full of factories , railroads and coal mines winding around the three rivers that flow through the heart of the city and separate different neighborhoods and businesses . While Fairmont continues to attract businesses with various tax reductions , credits and the elimination of the wholesale and manufacturing business and occupation tax , the repurposing of some of the former railroads through the community makes for exciting new opportunities .
Rail trails are a popular attraction through North Central West Virginia and across the country . Fairmont is beginning to close the gaps that exist in the Pittsburgh to Parkersburg ( P2P ) Trail through the city . While many cities and counties in West Virginia struggle to negotiate for property acquisition to expand their rail trails and find themselves at a standstill , Fairmont has been successful in expanding its rail trail footprint . This not only helps to close the gaps in the greater P2P Trail , but it also helps to connect every neighborhood in the city with multiple modes of transportation and recreational opportunities .
City officials are incredibly excited to add to the existing West Fork River Trail and expand to connect to Fairmont ’ s downtown . Development of the trail is slated to have positive impacts on the Fairmont economy and make the city more attractive to visitors and businesses alike .
In addition to the rail trail development , the city continues to make infrastructure improvements to support the businesses and residents already in Fairmont and prepare to welcome new ones . The City of Fairmont has paved nearly every citymaintained street since 2013 . Fairmont Utilities continues to be a regional utility supplying water to not only Fairmont but several other cities in Marion County and others across North Central West Virginia , spanning five counties . Fairmont also has full-time police and fire departments with three fire stations throughout the city .
Although Fairmont is an older community , the median age of residents in Fairmont is below the state and national average at 34.5 years of age . Fairmont boasts lower housing prices than the surrounding cities , making Fairmont a more affordable place to live . As a city with three rivers flowing through it , the Tygart and West Fork joining to form the Monongahela River , Fairmont is continuing to expand recreation opportunities . The City of Fairmont has 152 acres of city parks for the community and visitors to enjoy , with the largest park , Morris Park , featuring two nationally ranked disc golf courses — the Seth Burton Memorial course and Orange Crush course .
Needless to say , if you are planning your next trip or looking for a place to relocate your family and your business , Fairmont is the place for you .