$40 Million Dedicated To Business Site Prep

Site preparation is a key issue when it comes to attracting new businesses. So, the state is dedicating $40 million to getting locations ready.  

Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced the investment Tuesday to prepare industrial sites across West Virginia, accelerate private-sector investment, and attract good-paying jobs. He called the investment the largest competitive site development allocation in state history. It includes $25 million in loans for industrial shell buildings and $15 million in grants for traditional site readiness projects. 

“One of the first questions that companies ask is how quickly can they get their operation up and running?” Morrisey said. “Do we have utilities in place? Has the engineering work been done? Can we get the land ready for construction quick enough? Is there a building available that they can move into and customize their needs?” 

The funding will support two programs designed to accelerate industrial development: 

• $25 Million – 2026 Mountain State Ready Shell Building Loan Program: The West Virginia Economic Development Authority (WVEDA) will provide loans of up to $5 million per project to construct industrial shell buildings ranging from 30,000 to 50,000 square feet. The program offers flexible repayment terms and requires future tenants to pay at least 120 percent of the county median wage, with an expectation of one job per 750 square feet. 

• $15 Million – 2026 Mountain State Ready Site Readiness Grant Program: The Infrastructure and Jobs Development Council (IJDC) will provide grants for environmental assessments, engineering, grading, utility infrastructure, and other site preparation needed to attract manufacturing, research and development, and distribution operations. 

The West Virginia Division of Economic Development within the Department of Commerce will administer both programs. Local economic development authorities, county commissions, and municipal governments are eligible to apply, with projects required to begin within six months of receiving an award. Final awards are subject to approval by the appropriate WVEDA or IJDC board. 

Program guidance and application information will be available at https://westvirginia.gov/available-sites/.