Huntington, West Virginia is a powerhouse for IT and cybersecurity operations
Information Technology & Cybersecurity
Huntington, West Virginia may not be the first name you think of when it comes to enhancing and safeguarding technology, but a growing list of companies see the value of doing business here. For one thing, there are fewer risks. We’re far from the paths of hurricanes and less susceptible to tornadoes and other violent weather, and our waterways are engineered to protect nearby facilities from flooding. For another, we’re just six hours from the Beltway, so contractors can enjoy proximity to key agencies at a significantly lower cost of doing business. And speaking of cost, living here is far more affordable than other tech hubs, so your team’s pay goes farther.
Preparing for tomorrow’s challenges is why West Virginia emphasizes and provides incentives for tech companies. You’ll find 35 higher education IT programs throughout the state, and well-respected Marshall University will soon add the 80,000-square-foot Institute for Cybersecurity funded largely by the state and the Defense Department. The center is planned to be east cost hub or cybersecurity and is one of the only Centers for Academic Excellence in cybersecurity by the NSA, with both undergraduate and graduate cybersecurity degree programs.
The 50-mile labor shed surrounding our area is home to more than 360,000 workers steeped in a tradition of hard work and quality. That’s instilled at an early age, with Cabell County Schools beginning career literacy in the elementary grades. Career-focused education continues as students age, with local high schools and the Cabell County Career Technology Center delivers the technical and soft skills tech employers need.
In addition to Marshall University’s extensive cybersecurity programs and 80 other degree fields. Mountwest Community and Technical College offers more than 50 one-year certificate and associate degree programs created for the needs of local companies, including electronics technology and network systems and security. The Cabell County Career Technology Center also provides continuing education for adults and customized training to meet employers’ specific needs.
Huntington’s well-engineered interstate and highway network has helped local technology employers draw from a remarkably large labor shed. Three Interstate-grade highways provide fast local connections, especially convenient for federal contractors. There’s nonstop passenger air service to Orlando, Tampa/St. Pete, Fort Myers, Myrtle Beach, and Charlotte from Tri-State Airport (KHTS), West Virginia’s only FedEx 757 hub, along with Amtrak’s New York-to-Washington-to-Chicago Cardinal If shipping finished products is important, you’ll appreciate single-day truck access to more than 162 million consumers across the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, and Ontario.
Local utility providers offer low rates thanks to abundant supplies and collaborative attitudes. For example, our area’s electric rates are nearly a third below the national average. There’s no shortage of natural gas and fresh water, as well as plenty of bandwidth for data needs.
Existing Employers
[trx_columns][trx_column_item align=”left”]Core 10
Amazon
Strictly Business Computer Systems
Blue Ink Technology
LG Nova (LG Electronics’s North American Innovation Center)
Digit 3
“HADCO has helped us move past roadblocks and connected us to impactful resources as we grow our company. Recently, they helped us identify financing opportunities and tax incentives available for the purchase of manufacturing equipment. They have also connected us with sales and marketing resources to help expand our customer base through their Expanding Markets Initiative. These program are invaluable for our success and HADCO has helped ensure we take full advantage of these resources.”
Laura Riegel, Chief Administrative Officer
Blue Ink Technology