By Jozy Moore
For The New River Gorge Regional Development Authority
Beckley – The New River Gorge Regional Development Authority (NRGRDA), and its entrepreneurial program the West Virginia Hive, issued its 2025 Regional Impact Report showcasing its significant accomplishments throughout the New River Gorge Region and Southern West Virginia.
With a staff of skilled professionals and the support of local, state and federal resources, NRGRDA’s efforts in 2025 were centered on advancing projects and partnerships that created meaningful value for the region.
Through collaborative projects that strengthened communities, supported entrepreneurship, expanded regional assets, and improved long-term opportunities for growth, NRGRDA delivered a productive and impactful year, which are highlighted in the 2025 Regional Impact Report.
The report also demonstrates how the continued development of the innovative PATTERN initiative and increased emphasis on state legislative advocacy at the state capital are both paying huge dividends.
NRGRDA Board Chairperson, Allison Rae Taylor, stated, “Each project the NRGRDA undertakes has the potential to have a great economic impact throughout the region. By pooling the resources of four Southern West Virginia counties and setting strategic priorities, the NRGRDA can select and drive projects that will promulgate greater growth and opportunity for participating and adjacent counties.”
The full 2025 regional impact report is available at https://nrgrda.org/impact/ and is filled with compelling details of the economic development authority’s efforts.”
The most compelling 2025 success was the arrival of Amazon in Raleigh County – a $42 million investment on 44 acres, creating 100 new jobs and multiple community and economic development multipliers.
Throughout the year, NRGRDA secured $8,650,000 in infrastructure investment, which included $1,170,000 in public investment (State: $550,000, Local: $620,000); assessed 22,786 acres of site-ready acres; developed 188 acres of site-ready property; marketed 118 properties; and responded to 14 requests for site proposals.
Other major business development and expansions included the 100-acre site of the Appalachian Heights Development project in Mount Hope, with implications for Fayette and Raleigh Counties, and the Gainwell Engineering project in Fayette County.
The Raleigh County Memorial Airport terminal expansion represents a strategic investment that strengthens regional connectivity and economic competitiveness. This $1.3 million federally funded project will more than double post-security seating capacity, improving passenger experience and allowing the airport to better accommodate growing demand for commercial air service.
It was a foundation year for PATTERN (Planning and Accelerating Textile Technology and Entrepreneurship Regional Network), which was started and is being sustained in large part by a federal grant Senator Shelley Moore Capito secured for NRGRDA.
Equipment is installed and operational at the Beckley PATTERN facility, and 2026 will be a pivotal year for training and execution. The goal is to build a thriving cut and sew industry in Southern West Virginia by providing businesses and makers with the tools, expertise, and resources they need to create high-quality, sustainable outdoor gear, apparel, and sewn goods—made locally and built to last.
The NRGRDA’s entrepreneurial program – the West Virginia Hive – served 107 small businesses, helped create 20 new businesses, conducted 14 trainings, and allocated $59,677 in technical assistance services (legal, website, social media and marketing) to boost jobs and diversity in the local economy.
There were also seven ribbon cuttings and open houses staged for the following businesses:
- Bud’s Recycling Co-op in Fayetteville
- Basement Dwellers in Mount Hope
- Appalachian Automotive in Beaver
- Mariposa Hollow in Beaver
- Country Roads Charters and Tours in Princeton
- Primitive Goods in Ronceverte
- Splatter and Sprout in White Sulphur Springs
Key tools in stimulating and supporting small business development included the Pitch Southern West Virginia Business Idea Competition, CO.STARTERS bootcamp program, and robust annual awards recognition event.
NRGRDA’s comprehensive and proactive state legislative advocacy program supported multiple community and economic development initiatives in 2025. Through consensus building meetings with local stakeholders, NRGRDA took the region’s voice to the Legislature and Governor, achieving meaningful progress on infrastructure, land reuse, housing, childcare, workforce barriers, and local revenue modernization.
Taylor added that sustaining this level of progress will require continued collaboration and commitment. “We receive invaluable support from our Congressional delegation, the Governor and Legislature, regional and local leaders, the business community, financial institutions, educational institutions, and the media. On behalf of our staff and Board of Directors, we extend our deepest thanks to those we’ve had the pleasure to work with, and we look forward to building new relationships and partnerships in the year ahead.”
About New River Gorge Regional Development Authority: The New River Gorge Regional Development Authority’s (NRGRDA) mission is to initiate, facilitate and support the economic and community development efforts within the counties of Fayette, Nicholas, Raleigh, and Summers. More can be found at https://nrgrda.org/
WV Hive is the entrepreneurship program of the NRGRDA. To learn more about the WV Hive, become a client, or book a tour of the new Business Hub, visit https://wvhive.com.
