Choose Huntington

Community Profile

We are proud of the Huntington region and all it represents. Recently named "America's Best Community" Huntington offers numerous amenities and incentives for you, your family and your company to locate here. You will enjoy the lifestyle, safety, and opportunities that are offered here.

Huntington is a dynamic, artistic, and up and coming city that has passionate citizens and leaders. It sits on the Ohio River at the point where West Virginia, Ohio and Kentucky meet and is part of the largest inland port in the United States. As of the 2010 Census, Huntington’s population was 49,138 making it the second largest city in the state. However, it is the hub of the Huntington-Ashland-Ironton metropolitan area, which spans eight counties and three states and has a population of 361,580. It is also 50 minutes from the Charleston, WV MSA (Metropolitan Statistical Area). Charleston is the capital and largest city in WV with a population of 49,138. It is home to the West Virginia Power minor league baseball team, West Virginia State Museum, Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences, and the Kanawha State Forest. With plenty to do and the ease of traveling from Huntington, this makes Charleston a prime location for weekend family fun.

Huntington is home to Marshall University, one of the largest employers in town and a major contributor to the heart and soul of the community. Marshall provides outstanding educational opportunities and is recognized as a progressive, growing, and accomplished institution to nearly 20,000 students.

The growth of Huntington and its economy through the 1970s was originally based on steel processing, warehouse/distribution, manufacturing, and transportation. Since then Huntington has moved to healthcare, finance, retail, education, service, and tourism industries. Huntington’s Cabell Huntington Hospital, St. Mary’s Medical Center, Huntington VA Medical Center and Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine are the thrust of a growing medical community.

The downtown area is once again a draw for shopping, dining, and entertainment, including Pullman Square, a modern town square, and many locally owned eateries. The streets are alive with people walking from venue to venue or taking advantage of easy access bike paths. Year-round, a variety of festivals and special events draw crowds to Pullman Square, the Big Sandy Superstore Arena, and the famous Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center . KineticPark, a premier business park on Hal Greer Boulevard near the Interstate 64 interchange houses Amazon's 70,000 square-foot customer service center, a recently opened Marriot hotel, and a variety of business opportunities.

Huntington also is known for its expansive park system, the gem of which is Ritter Park. The park, which features a walking path, award-winning playground, tennis courts, amphitheater and PetSafe Dog Park, was recognized by the American Planning Association in 2012 as one America’s 10 Great Public Spaces. Since 1934, the park’s Rose Garden has been West Virginia's nationally recognized municipal rose garden, containing 1,000 plants and noted for its All-American Rose Selections.

In the hills above Ritter Park is the Huntington Museum of Art. It is the largest art museum between Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, and Richmond and contains numerous collections, exhibitions, education programs and nature trails on a sprawling, 52-acre campus. The grounds also are home to the C. Fred Edwards Conservatory, West Virginia’s only plant conservatory.

Huntington is also home to West Virginia's first and only Smithsonian affiliate, Heritage Farm Museum & Village. Home to over 15 log structures, including event space for over 500 people, 5 log cabin inns with modern amenities, a Barn Retreat Center wired with today’s technology, seven award-winning museums, Artisan Center, multiple attractions, and themed Way Back Weekends, Heritage Farm continues to delight guests from around the globe as it has for over 21 years.

Advantage Valley Profile

Advantage Valley Charleston-Huntington Metro Region, West Virginia

Top 10 Reasons

1. SUPERIOR TRANSPORTATION

Huntington is a major rail hub served by two Class One railroads, CSX and Norfolk Southern freight rail. Huntington also has passenger rail served by Amtrak. Located on the Ohio River, Huntington has one of the largest inland ports in the United States.

Huntington’s Tri-State Airport offers daily flights to Charlotte Douglas International Airport and seasonal flights to St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport, Orlando Sanford International Airport, Punta Gorda Airport, and Myrtle Beach International Airport. A Fed Ex regional hub is located at Tri-State Airport. In addition, Charleston’s Yeager Airport offers flights serviced by American Airlines, Delta, United, and Spirit. Huntington is situated on Interstate 64 with I-73 upgrade planned between Toledo, OH and Charleston, SC.

Located in Prichard, WV, the Heartland Intermodal Gateway is a rail to truck facility connected to the ports in Virginia and Chicago on the Norfolk system rail line. Bus service and motor freight carriers abound.

2. ACCESS TO MARKETS

The greater Huntington area is located within one day's drive of over 33%of the Industrial and Consumer Market in the US.

West Virginia is in the center of population east of the Mississippi. Access to Northeast, Midwest and Southeast markets is easy:

3. LOW-COST UTILITIES

Electricity, water, and gas are plentiful. Industrial electric rates are ranked 8th lowest in the US, and 25% less than the national average. West Virginia is the largest producer of oil and natural gas east of the Mississippi River.

4. STATE-OF-THE-ART TELECOMMUNICATIONS

The recent upgrades to the statewide network provides one of the fastest, reliable, and redundant telecommunication networks in the nation.

5. INCENTIVES

The State of West Virginia and the Huntington area offer low-cost financing, tax credits, and job training assistance to new and expanding companies.

HADCO is capable of the lease and purchase arrangements to fit your specific requirements. Rental rates and acreage costs are substantially lower than the national average.

6. ABUNDANT LABOR SUPPLY

Over 17,000 active job applicants are on file in the Workforce WV Office.

The Tri-State area workforce has an excellent work ethic with low turnover (less than 2%), low absenteeism, and a below average unemployment (<6%) rate for the area. Starting manufacturing wage rates range from $8.75 - $11.00 per hour. Forbes Magazine listed Huntington on a list of 200 "Best Places for Business and Careers".

7. EXCELLENT EDUCATION

Huntington offers an abundance of skilled education, customized workforce training, and lifelong learning opportunities.

Marshall University hosts a medical school, business school, pharmacy school, an expanding engineering program with a new facility, and MBA and Ph.D. programs in Bio-Medical Sciences and is still growing. Mountwest Community & Technical College and Robert C. Byrd Institute for Advanced Flexible Manufacturing tailor programs to skilled technical trades and workforce development.

8. EXCEPTIONAL HEALTHCARE

The Tri-State area offers a complete medical community with access to eight hospitals offering specialized services for all ages including 4 major centers, Cabell Huntington Hospital, the Huntington VA Hospital, Marshall Health, and St. Mary’s Hospital.

Hospital costs are lower than the national average.

9. SPEED AND ACCESSIBILITY

We know what it takes to get the job done.

We have ready access to decision makers, public and private, locally and in Washington, DC who understand the importance of being responsive to the needs of businesses.

10. GREAT QUALITY OF LIFE

Huntington enjoys a vibrant downtown, no traffic congestion, and an engaged community.

Huntington is home to the Huntington Museum of Art, the Huntington Symphony Orchestra, Heritage Farm, the Wild Ramp, Pullman Square, and the Huntington Mall. Forbes Magazine recently cited the Huntington area to have the lowest cost of living in the U.S. for communities its size. Homeowners enjoy housing costs that are well below national average. Sports fans appreciate championship division one College sports through Marshall University. Area residents benefit from the diverse business base – manufacturing, medical, transportation, and small-medium sized industries.

Demographics

Population (Huntington MSA): 361, 580
Median Household Income: $29,970
Median Age: 35
Major Industries: Energy, Healthcare
Cost of Living: 9.9% below national average
Median Property Value: $90,600
Average Commute Time: 16.9 minutes

Local Incentives

Based upon the type and number of new jobs to be created, the total capital investment for a project, and a review of the company's financial statements, the Huntington area can offer companies that establish new facilities the following types of incentives:

Reduced price for land to build a new facility.
“At cost” building construction and lease back.
Buy down of lease cost on constructed facility.
Financing of equipment and building.
Free office space for a company’s key person during the project’s construction phase.
Free office space for initial interviewing of applicants.
Free rent during initial phase of lease on building.
Temporary housing for a company’s key person during the project’s construction phase.
Relocation grants based upon the type and number of new jobs to be created.

For more information on the above incentives, please contact HADCO at (304) 525-1161 or hadco@hadco.org.

State Incentives

Corporate Headquarters Credit

Companies relocating their corporate headquarters to W. Va. from outside of W. Va. are eligible for tax credits. If 15 new jobs are created, the credit could be up to 100% of many tax liabilities for up to 13 years.

Economic Opportunity Credit

Offsets up to 100% of taxes for up to 13 years. Minimum job requirement is 20.

Manufacturing Investment Credit

Allows up to 60% corporate net income tax and franchise tax credit, based on investment, with no new job creation required.

Manufacturing Sales Tax Exemption

Materials and equipment purchased for direct use in manufacturing are exempt from the 6% state sales and use tax.

Warehouse "Freeport" Tax Exemption

Goods in transit to an out-of-state destination are exempt from ad valorem property taxes when warehoused in West Virginia.

More information on state incentives

Top Employers

Huntington, WV; Ashland, KY; Ironton-OH MSA Major Employers

Large 250+
Cabell Huntington Hospital, Inc
St. Mary’s Medical Center, Inc.
Marathon Petroleum Catlettsburg Refinery
Toyota Motor Manufacturing WV
Huntington VA Medical Center
Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital
Marshall University
Marshall Heath (University Physicians & Surgeons, Inc.)
Amazon WV Customer Service Center
Alcon Research, Ltd.
AT&T (DirecTV) Customer Service, Inc.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Steel of West Virginia
Huntington Alloys Corporation
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
CSX
Huntington Internal Medicine Group (HIMG)
GC Services
Allevard Sogefi U.S.A., Inc.
AK Steel
Appalachian Power Company (John Amos Plant)
InfoCision Management Corporation
McGinnis Inc.

King's Daughters Regional Medical Center

Medium 50-249

Calgon Carbon Corporation
Rubberlite
Chapman Printing Company
Sunoco
J. F. Fletcher & Co.
Braskem America, Inc.
Kentucky Power
Kentucky Electric Steel
Superior Marine Inc.
Jennmar McSweeney

Testimonials

“HADCO is the development arm of Huntington and is given broad, statutory authority to drive investment and job creation in our community. The most important asset HADCO possesses is its board of directors, which consists of accomplished and highly-qualified men and women who understand the business world. The board of directors and leadership at HADCO are primarily responsible for the innovative, entrepreneurial city to follow in the coming years.”

- Steve Williams, Mayor of the City of Huntington

“HADCO has played a role in the economic growth of Huntington for many years now. I was the Vice President at HADCO back in the 1990s when it was in its infancy stages. At that time, it was focused on redeveloping the Owens Glass Plant into a multi-use light industrial center and on attracting outside companies to our area. Over the years, I have seen HADCO evolve and begin a greater effort to work with our existing industries. HADCO serves to support their growth and expansion as well as to help them solve the myriad challenges they face by connecting them to resources and expertise. I believe this is a positive investment in our community and will increase the health of our regional economy.”

-Margaret Mary Layne, President, Layne Consulting, Inc.

"Operating an industrial business in our region, with the changing economic landscape and increasing regulatory requirements, is a challenging task. In order to successfully guide our business through the opportunities and challenges that arise, it is critical to identify key contacts and develop partnerships with a variety of government and private organizations. Fortunately, HADCO has supported our efforts with their wealth of experience working with local businesses on a variety of needs. In addition to the services they offer directly, HADCO has also been extremely helpful as a primary point of contact, introducing us to other local, state, and federal groups that provide training, consulting, grant opportunities, etc. Our ongoing relationship with HADCO will be an important factor to our continued success."

- Mark Houvoruras, General Manager at Huntington Plating, Inc.

Regional Advantages

With a regional workforce (50 miles, 1-hour driving radius) of 363,206 people, Huntington - and the region - offer very significant advantages to businesses locating in the area.

Abundant and very affordable utilities
- Electricity costs 33% lower than the national average
  - Appalachian Power
- Abundant and affordable natural gas
  - Mountaineer Gas Company
  - Columbia Gas
Numerous transportation advantages through connectivity
Educators focused on area industries
Other resources
- Advantage Valley
  - Non-profit economic development organization working in partnership with the State of West Virginia, local governments, county economic development authorities, sector and business leaders, chambers of commerce, academic and training institutions, and nonprofit partners to build economic vibrancy in the region
- West Virginia Department of Commerce
  - The West Virginia Department of Commerce’s mission is to promote and preserve the well-being of the citizens of West Virginia by providing a cooperative, interagency system that stimulates diverse economic growth, encourages the appropriate use of our state’s abundant natural resources, improves the safety and productivity of our workforce and promotes the beauty and desirability of our state as a world-class tourism destination.

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Huntington Insider's Guide

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