How Advantage Valley Supports Business and Community

I chat with Marjorie Cooke right after the Advantage Valley board meeting at Area 34 in Putnam County. Marjorie explains how Advantage Valley supports economic growth across a nine-county region along the I-64 corridor between Huntington and Charleston. She breaks down their work into three main areas: attracting new businesses to the region, supporting existing businesses, and helping new entrepreneurs get started. We talk about the types of industries they focus on—metals, auto parts, chemicals, aerospace—and the importance of highlighting the region’s strengths like low costs and strategic location.

Marjorie shares how Advantage Valley is addressing workforce development by looking at broader issues like housing and access to childcare. With major investments coming to the region over the next few years, they are actively working to ensure more people can enter and stay in the workforce. She tells me about a nine-county childcare business workshop series that runs from March through November and aims to equip new providers with the tools to succeed.

We also dive into the FasterWV program, which helps local entrepreneurs turn their ideas into viable businesses. It offers free business coaching, online and in-person classes, access to capital through loans, and grants for technical assistance. According to Marjorie, it’s all about encouraging people to take that first step despite the risks and uncertainties. She says they’ve never been busier, with seven events scheduled across seven counties in just a couple of months.

We also talk about their work in business retention, including hosting supply chain expos to connect local businesses with new opportunities. The next one is coming up in June. To stay informed, Marjorie recommends visiting the Advantage Valley website, calling the office, or following their social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. She also points to their monthly newsletters—both for business attraction and the FasterWV program—as great ways to stay plugged in. She encourages people to get involved, whether it’s starting a business, attending an event, or joining one of Advantage Valley’s committees.