Destination West Virginia

This section will answer many of your questions regarding the life science industry in West Virginia, the state's economy, tax structure and cost of living, education, transportation, climate, recreational opportunities, history and more.

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Industry Overview | Economy/Cost of Living | Education
Recreation & Entertainment | Transportation | Geography & Climate
History | Suggested Reading List

The Mountain State, a land of rugged vistas, the ancient New River, and independent people; this is West Virginia, strategically positioned for success.

Industry Snapshot

West Virginia shows increasing potential as an emerging biotechnology and life science industry hub. Its strategic location places the Mountain State near the Washington D.C. and Baltimore, Maryland corridors, while other benefits include inexpensive costs of living and doing business as well as academic and state resources.

Economy/Cost of Living

Over 1.8 million people help to make West Virginia the 37th most populous state in the U.S. Major cities and towns in the Mountain State include the capital city Charleston, Huntington, Parkersburg, Wheeling, Morgantown, Weirton, Fairmont, Beckley, Clarksburg, and Martinsburg.

Education

West Virginia provides excellent educational opportunities throughout the state. Children can be schooled via public, private, or home schools. Higher education in West Virginia is well represented, with options in public, private, and community colleges and universities.

Recreation & Entertainment

While small in size, West Virginia’s recreational and entertainment options abound. The Mountain State is aptly named for its rugged, ancient mountains, ready for all manner of outdoor pursuits. Another face to the state is more urban, yet steeped in the heritage of Appalachia.

Transportation

West Virginia offers a host of transportation options. Over 37,000 miles of public roads innervate the Mountain State. Major automobile routes include six major Interstate highways: I-64, I-77 (also called the West Virginia Turnpike, the state’s only toll road), I-79, I-68, I-70, and I-81.

Geography & Climate

Located in the inland mid-Atlantic region of the U.S., West Virginia is one of the smallest states and ranks 41st in total area at 24,231 square miles. West Virginia is bordered by Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Maryland to the north, Virginia to the south, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia to the east, and to the west by Ohio and Kentucky.

History

The land that is now called West Virginia was once home to moundbuilding peoples such as the Adena culture. Over time, the Mound Builders moved away, and were followed in settlement by the Woodland peoples. More modern Native Americans such as the Cherokee, Shawnee, and Delaware peoples made the land their home until European exploration.

Suggested Reading List

A list of select guides and reference books about West Virginia.