Inside Putnam County’s Growth with Megan Lomax

In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast, I’m talking to Megan Lomax at Meet-Up 64, an event designed to connect professionals across the region. Megan explains that her hustle is to make business as accessible as possible in Putnam County. She’s involved with regional events like Meet-Up 64, which brings together people from Huntington, Charleston, and Putnam County, helping them expand their networks beyond their usual circles.

Putnam County is growing, and with new insights like the Advantage Valley housing study and investment from companies like Toyota, the economic outlook is positive. Megan points out that each manufacturing job in Putnam County creates three additional jobs in the community, helping bring more businesses to the area. For example, Toyota’s recent $200 million expansion is set to create new jobs, which in turn attracts other businesses like retail stores.

Megan emphasizes that large businesses support the local entrepreneurial ecosystem by fostering job growth. She notes that 80% of new jobs in a region often come from existing businesses, and local companies expanding, even by just a few jobs, significantly impacts the community.

Recently, Putnam County hosted an industrial supply chain expo through Advantage Valley, where businesses connected with local suppliers. Megan shares that the expo has already led to contracts between local suppliers and larger employers, strengthening the regional economy.

For those looking to get more involved in Putnam County, Megan highlights several resources. The Putnam County Development Authority, where she works, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Convention and Visitors Bureau all have resources for businesses, residents, and visitors.