special advertising section
SMART GROWTH, SMALL TOWNS
WEST VIRGINIA’S
EASTERN PANHANDLE
A short drive from Washington, D.C., and
Baltimore, MD, West Virginia’s Eastern Pan-
handle is a thriving mecca for the business
minded and adventure seeker alike. With
a culture steeped in history, a variety of
the Mountain State’s best outdoor recre-
ation activities and a bustling economy
combined with the small-town charm of
locations like Charles Town, Capon Springs,
Shepherdstown and Martinsburg, it’s easy
to see why this region is one of the fastest
growing areas in the state.
Leaders in the Eastern Panhandle are
actively pursuing economic development
opportunities to improve the well-being
and quality of life of their communities
by working to attract new industries and
create jobs. Visitors and businesses are
drawn in by the area’s natural beauty,
rich history and friendly atmosphere, but
they stay for the strategic location, skilled
workforce, low cost of living and reputa-
ble worker training programs.
“The Eastern Panhandle is a great place
to live, a great place to work and a great
place to raise a family,” says John Reisen-
weber, executive director of the Jeff erson
County Development Authority (JCDA).
“There are a lot of amenities, opportuni-
ties and programs for kids and families.
We also have a well-trained workforce and
workforce availability and a cost of doing
business that is very competitive. You add
those things up, and you have a good place
to operate.”
OPEN FOR BUSINESS
In terms of business and job growth,
the Eastern Panhandle is defi nitely on the
rise, and organizations such as the JCDA,
Berkeley County Development Authori-
ty (BCDA), Hampshire County Develop-
ment Authority (HCDA), Morgan County
Economic Development Authority (MCEDA)
and Eastern Panhandle Regional Planning
and Development Council, also known as
Region 9, are working together to promote
their common mission: to lead, support and
advance economic growth.
“The importance of stimulating economic
development opportunities in the Eastern
Panhandle is to ensure viable, sustainable,
local employment for all residents,” says
Sandy Hamilton, executive director of the
Randox Laboratories’ recently renovated and expanded
building in the Burr Business Park.
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WEST VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE
SAMANTHA CART
BCDA. “We have a small-town America
quality of life. We are easily accessible to
major markets, and everyone is friendly,
helpful and engaged with the community.”
With the benefi ts of small-town life
combined with access to bigger cities and
the Eastern West Virginia Regional Airport
and Blue Ridge Community and Techni-
cal College’s commitment to workforce
development, the Eastern Panhandle has
proven itself capable of attracting diverse,
noteworthy businesses.
“The secret is the Eastern Panhandle has
always had a superior location,” says Bill
Clark, executive director of Region 9 and
administrator for the Western Potomac
Economic Partnership (West-PEP). “All
four counties have unique qualities in their
presentations, and the panhandle has a
history of being a great inves tment. Even
smaller state investments can result in mil-
lion-dollar projects. The panhandle contin-
ues to grow in population and add to its
already vibrant economy. The diversity of
the business and industry here is what is
needed and supports the overall economy
of the state.”
BETTER TOGETHER
West-PEP, a partnership among Berkeley,
Hampshire, Jeff erson and Morgan counties
and Region 9, works alongside regional
representatives from the West Virginia
Development Offi ce and federal resource
partners to market the Eastern Panhandle
as a great place to do business. Working
together as a region allows the panhandle
counties to connect, discuss and improve
opportunities and infrastructure.
“A healthy economy means a healthy
community, and the boundaries that once
defi ned the driving focus for economic
development have changed,” says Eileen
Johnson, executive director of the HCDA.
“Technology and information access have
diminished the boundary lines of counties.
At this time of transition in our state, I