✨ Spotlight on Economic Development! ✨ Dive into this fantastic article from The Jackson Herald, penned by Meghan Parsons, the Associate Director of JCEDA! 📈 This piece sheds light on the dynamic roles of economic developers. They’re the visionaries, advocates, problem-solvers, and marketers who tirelessly drive community growth. 💼🌱 Discover the key skills they bring … Read more
All posts by Meghan McClung
Business Spotlight: CNC Syndicate – Ravenswood, WV! This week, we’re thrilled to shine the spotlight on CNC Syndicate, a true gem in Ravenswood, WV! CNC Syndicate isn’t just a business; it’s a community-focused hub that’s been driving innovation and excellence in CNC machining, metal fabrication and welding, special machinery, and more. From their commitment to … Read more
This evening, over 15 folks attended a child care workshop at the JCDA offices hosted in partnership with Advantage Valley, Inc. Also, in attendance were many different organizations and resources. Participants were able to hear from the Jackson County Health Department – Moovin’ and Groovin’ to Change Lives and the West Virginia Fire Marshal, WonderSchool, Connect and more. From … Read more
February 2025 Unemployment Rate Update for Jackson County, WV Great news for our community! The unemployment rate in Jackson County remains steady at 4.10% for February 2025. This stability reflects our ongoing efforts to support local businesses and create job opportunities. Let’s continue working together to keep our economy strong and vibrant! #JacksonCounty #WV … Read more
Business Spotlight: Hartley Oil Company, Inc. Location: 465 Hartley Drive, Ravenswood, WV 26164 Since 1946, Hartley Oil Company, Inc. has been a cornerstone of the Ravenswood community, providing exceptional service and innovative solutions across various industries. From packaging and repackaging to rail and transportation services, Hartley Oil is dedicated to making your job easier, more … Read more
Last night the Downtown Ravenswood Partners hosted a “Merchant Meet and Greet” at Las Fajitas Mexican-Grill with over 50+ participants!!! 🎉 Small businesses were able to connect with resource providers and network. The The Jackson County Development Authority was there to offer our technical assistance. Great work Molly Washburn and team! Ravenswood showed up ⬆️ … Read more
Exciting News from the WVEDC 2025 Legislative Conference! The West Virginia Economic Development Council’s 2025 Legislative Conference, held on February 25-26 at the Embassy Suites in Charleston, brought together over 200 professionals from across the state. Attendees engaged in insightful sessions on economic development, networked with peers, and heard from key leaders, including Glenn Jeffries. … Read more
Economic Impact of WV Tourism Spending Nears $9 Billion Annually
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WV News) — Spending by tourists continues to play an increasingly large role in West Virginia’s economy, state Department of Tourism Secretary Chelsea Ruby told lawmakers Wednesday.
Spending by tourists generates more than $8.7 billion in economic impact for the state each year, Ruby said during testimony before the House Agriculture, Commerce and Tourism Subcommittee.
“That is generating more than $1 billion in tax revenue and employing more than 60,000 people,” she said. “And those jobs are paying out more than $2 billion in wages.”
In 2021, state officials celebrated reaching nearly $5 billion in total visitor spending.
“I remember that was a big milestone for us,” Ruby said. “Today we’re looking at $8.7 billion.”
This growth is the result of several years of work to overhaul the state’s tourism marketing and advertising strategy after officials observed an overall decline in tourist spending in West Virginia around 2012, Ruby said.
“What was happening then was we were being outspent by our neighbors,” she said. “The states around us were investing more into tourism marketing, and they were doing a better job of making it cohesive and really having a unified brand.”
In 2017, the West Virginia Legislature approved tripling the annual budget for tourism promotion, Ruby said.
“So you see, starting in 2017, the huge increase (in spending). We took the dip for COVID that people around the country took, and then it’s gone straight up from there,” she said.
Compared to 2019, overall annual traveler spending in West Virginia has increased by 23%, Ruby said.
“If you compare that to the rest of the nation and you compare that to where the U.S. as a whole was with traveler spending in 2019 and where the U.S. is today, the U.S. has only grown 9%,” she said. “Not only are we growing quickly, but we’re outpacing much of the nation.”
On average, traveler spending in the state is about $17 million per day, Ruby said.
“That equates, in tax revenue, to a saving of about $835 per household in West Virginia each year,” she said. “We’re bringing in that significant amount of taxes that we’re offsetting those for households across West Virginia.
The Department of Tourism has seen success with its special promotions, like the West Virginia Waterfall Trail and the Almost Heaven swings, Ruby said.
“As they’re going to visit these places, they’re all spending money on gas, they’re all spending money on food, and they’re visiting new places in West Virginia,” she said.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Jackson and Roane County Economic Development Authority Executive Director Mark Whitley Announces Retirement Jackson and Roane County Economic Development Authority today announced the retirement of its esteemed Executive Director, Mark Whitley, effective October, 2025. Mr. Whitley has dedicated 29 years to the Roane and Jackson County Development Authorities. He was instrumental in … Read more
JOIN US!!! Advantage Valley will host twelve childcare start-up business workshops from March to November 2025, as part of its Fostering Advantages for Start-Ups & Entrepreneurial Resurgence in WV (FASTER WV) program. The childcare business workshops, supported by grant funding from the Appalachian Regional Commission, will begin in Jackson County on March 6th at 6:30 … Read more