By pooling resources and sharing ideas, the hard work of the Eastern Panhandle’s
dedicated economic development organizations as well as state and local
governments has led to several major wins for the area recently, including:
• A manufacturing hub for Procter & Gamble (P&G), one of the largest economic
development projects in West Virginia’s history;
• TeMa North America’s recent announcement of plans to build a $10 million
manufacturing facility in the Burr Business Park in Kearneysville;
• A $25 million expansion of Cacapon State Park, including updates to the spa,
restaurant and pool and a 79-room lodge addition;
• Nestlé Waters’ expanded operations to the Burr Business Park in Kearneysville;
• P&G’s new multi-million-dollar quality control and training lab in Morgan County,
also known as the Pines Opportunity Center, which will operate in conjunction with
Blue Ridge Community and Technical College;
• A $150 million, 460,000-square-foot Roxul manufacturing plant in Ranson;
• The expansion of SJ Morse Company, a national architectural veneer panel manufacturer,
in Capon Bridge; and
• J.J. Crewe & Son, Inc.’s move to the Burr Business Park in Kearneysville.
believe the progress of the Eastern Pan-
handle can serve as a model. The panhan-
dle has demonstrated signifi cant economic
growth in all targeted industries, including
manufacturing, logistics, science, technol-
ogy, tourism, education and health care,
resulting in a diversifi ed economy and in-
creased job availability.”
FULL SPEED AHEAD
Even with an impressive list of accom-
plishments to boast, the region’s economic
development leaders are always looking
toward the future.
“I think the future for the Eastern Pan-
handle is very bright,” says Reisenweber.
“We’ve had some signifi cant investments
made over the last couple of years, and I
believe success breeds success. When com-
panies realize that Procter & Gamble has
landed in the area and Roxul has landed
in Jeff erson County, it will make them take
notice and further examine why these types
of companies are landing in the Eastern
Capon Springs & Farms
Panhandle. When they look further into
the situation, they’ll realize it’s a good
place, and that success will drive success
in the future.”
With the major success stories stacking
up, the Eastern Panhandle is on track to
meet goals the entire state is striving for:
increasing population, retaining young
people, creating jobs and fostering an
environment people want to call home.
“The Eastern Panhandle is an economic
leader for the state of West Virginia with a
growing population and business commu-
nity,” says Daryl Cowles, executive director
of the MCEDA and majority leader of the
West Virginia House of Delegates. “The
Mountain State will continue to benefi t
from the growing economy in the east.”
While location, education and oppor-
tunity are often credited for the area’s
major wins, it is obvious the people are
its greatest asset.
“The strength of the Eastern Panhan-
dle is and will always be her people,”
says Hamilton. “We work together for
the common good. We will accomplish
much more by working together, all entities,
for the common good.”
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