CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey announced Tuesday a $40 million investment aimed at preparing industrial sites across the state for development, attracting new businesses, and creating jobs.
The funding represents the largest competitive industrial site development allocation in state history, according to the governor’s office.
The investment includes $25 million in loans for industrial shell buildings and $15 million in grants for site preparation projects.
“When a company is ready to invest millions of dollars and create hundreds of jobs, we cannot afford to lose that opportunity because we don’t have a site ready,” said Governor Morrisey.
“This $40 million investment will help our communities compete for new employers, reduce the time it takes to get projects underway, and build on the nearly $96 billion in announced private-sector investment we’ve already attracted.”
Under the 2026 Mountain State Ready Shell Building Loan Program, the West Virginia Economic Development Authority will provide loans of up to $5 million per project to construct industrial buildings ranging from 30,000 to 50,000 square feet.
Businesses occupying the buildings will be required to pay employees at least 120 percent of the county median wage. The program also establishes an expectation of one job for every 750 square feet of building space.
The remaining $15 million will be distributed through the 2026 Mountain State Ready Site Readiness Grant Program.
Those grants will support environmental assessments, engineering, grading, utility infrastructure, and other improvements needed to prepare properties for manufacturing, research and development, and distribution facilities.
The West Virginia Division of Economic Development will administer both programs.
Local economic development authorities, county commissions, and municipal governments will be eligible to apply. Projects must begin within six months of receiving funding, and final awards will require approval from the appropriate state board.
Several economic development officials expressed support for the announcement, including representatives from southern West Virginia.
Greta Curry, executive director of the Mingo County Redevelopment Authority, said the funding could help communities redevelop former mining properties.
“In Mingo County, we have demonstrated that post-mine land can be transformed into regional economic drivers when paired with the right resources. Governor Morrisey’s announcement can provide our community with the exact support needed to accelerate efforts to attract more good-paying jobs to Mingo County.”
State Senator Zack Maynard, whose district includes portions of southern West Virginia, also pointed to the potential benefits for coalfield communities.
“Reclaiming and repurposing land for industry is essential to the future of the coalfields. The funding announced today by Governor Morrisey provides local development authorities across Boone, Lincoln, Logan, and Kanawha counties with access to the critical capital required to turn high-potential parcels into thriving economic hubs. This site preparedness will hopefully bring capital diversification which will create a better quality of life for residents in our counties.”
The funding is intended to address a challenge facing communities seeking industrial investment: having suitable properties and infrastructure ready when companies are considering locations.
The announcement does not identify specific projects receiving funding or businesses committed to occupying the proposed industrial facilities.
Program guidance and application information will be available here.
