Eric Lupardus, president of the Calhoun County Commission and owner of Prime Energy, says he is seeing significant positive impact in the Mid-Ohio Valley from both the 1982 Foundation— a nonprofit focused on reviving Grantsville— and a new Avalon facility. The Avalon will be a $ 15 million multi-use economic hub with a grand opening set for October 2 and 3, 2026.
Jackson County will soon welcome a new TIMET facility projected to begin operations in October. Veronica Lewis, executive director of the Jackson County Development Authority, says the project will include a solar energy component developed by BHE Renewables, providing a sustainable energy source for the facility.
Veronica also says that remediation efforts at the former Century Aluminum site continue to advance with Tract A being completed soon and ready for future industrial investment.
“ As many people know, economic development usually starts below your feet, and we have a lot of infrastructure projects under construction right now across the county,” Veronica says.
Strategic investments in water and wastewater infrastructure will not only improve quality of life for residents but also enhance Jackson County’ s competitiveness for future business growth and development opportunities.
Health Care
At Roane General Hospital, patients are eligible to participate in the Prescription for Your Health program, a personal care plan that offers goals for improved health, preventative screenings and wellness checks. Participants are also connected with health coaches who provide education and monitor patients’ progress, as well as a fitness coach.
Memorial Health System is also improving health care in the Mid-Ohio Valley with the addition of a brand-new
Jackson County Maritime & Industrial Park and BHE solar panels. Photo by Shane J. Media.
Kyle Raines, director of medical fitness, with a patient. Photo by Roane
General Hospital.
Sistersville General Hospital in Tyler County, giving residents better care closer to home.
A portion of the Rural Health Transformation Fund, a $ 199 million investment in the state’ s health care, will be utilized for advanced air mobility in the region to enhance medical transport services. Lisha Morlan, executive director of the Roane County Economic Development Authority( EDA), says the organization is currently working with State Commissioner Steve Connolly on this initiative.
“ Collaboratively with Calhoun County, we will be likely applying for three or four of the categories for that funding to bring drone services for rural health care in central West Virginia. They have identified Roane County as the pilot county for the initiative,” Morlan says.“ Our rural West Virginia counties are stakeholders in that, and this is a model that can be rolled out statewide.”
In April, the WVU Health System board of directors approved $ 350 million in capital improvement projects. One hundred and thirty-five million dollars of that funding will go to Camden Clark Medical Center in Wood County for a new patient tower adding new private rooms, surgical suites, a women and children’ s floor and additional parking spaces.
Camden Clark is also partnering with WVU-P to implement a new EMT program at the college. WVU-P is collaborating with WVU Medicine Jackson General Hospital to provide phlebotomy services as well.
Torie Jackson, president of WVU-P, says radiologic technology and surgical technology have been added to its list of programs, and the cosmetology program is expanding to add oncology aesthetics.
“ In our area, there are a lot of oncology patients. We want to make sure we are doing our part to help them during chemo and radiation,” Jackson says.“ Our students are going to be able to provide them with proper skin care during that time.”
More hospital expansion is happening in Jackson County, where WVU Medicine Jackson General Hospital is working toward completing the new Building Hope cancer center.
Candace Miller, president and CEO of Jackson General, says it is also building a new therapy services department featuring gym space, physical and occupational therapy equipment and cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation services.
“ It’ s a comprehensive offering. We provide a full range of therapies, including speech therapy, so patients can complete their recovery here rather than piecing it together across multiple facilities,” Miller says.
Minnie Hamilton Health System in Grantsville is undergoing a $ 48 million multiphase project scheduled to be completed in summer 2027. Stephen Whited, CEO of Minnie Hamilton, says this upgrade will modernize the facility, improve accessibility for patients and enhance operational efficiency.
“ We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the U. S. Department of Agriculture, the state economic development office, the governor’ s office and our state legislators for their invaluable support in making this project possible,” Whited says.