By Samantha Cart
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Putnam County is the only county in its region that has recorded population growth on every census since 1970. The burgeoning area is a tapestry of charming small towns nestled between West Virginia’s two largest cities. Community leaders are embracing this strategic location and sustained growth to create an intergenerational place that appeals to everyone from college graduates looking for their first jobs to families to retirees. Putnam County is more than a bedroom community for Charleston and Huntington—it is a unique and vibrant place that is home to a variety of small businesses, industries, restaurants, recreational opportunities and developable land.
An Opportune Place to Work
For those looking for employment, Putnam County is a hot spot for manufacturing, development, automotive and metalworking companies. In 2019, the county celebrated 32 ribbon cuttings for small businesses.
“There are a lot of factors contributing to why someone would want to start a business in Putnam County,” says Ashley Alford Glance, president of the Putnam County Chamber of Commerce. “Part of it is the location, but, more importantly, we are a community that supports small businesses and entrepreneurs.”
The chamber recognizes the value of a strong small business community, which led to the development of Area 34, a co-working space that opened in 2017 to serve the needs of self- employed entrepreneurs and business and sales professionals with modern working space. These industrialists are a reflection of Putnam County’s high workforce participation and educational attainment rates.
Along with supporting the small business community, the Putnam County Development Authority (PCDA) works to recruit new manufacturing investment while supporting the success and growth of existing manufacturers like Toyota, Tasty Blend Foods, U.S. Foods, Diamond Electric, Multicoat Corporation and Nippon Thermostat of America Corp.
“The Putnam County Development Authority stands ready to support business and industry seeking the perfect site to relocate, invest and expand,” says Drew Dunlap, executive director of the PCDA. “Our goal is to give businesses a convenient, one-stop resource for information. The success of world-class manufacturers like Toyota has shown we have all the qualities a business needs for success—especially the high-quality workforce.”
Putnam County is also home to strong health care and financial industries.
“The jobs in Putnam County are good-paying jobs with employers who take pride in their employees,” says Glance. “On top of the built-in advantages like safe neighborhoods and exceptional schools, we put in the effort to help businesses succeed and new businesses get started.”
An Opportune Place to Live
Employment opportunities naturally generate other positive attributes in Putnam County’s communities, including affordable housing, top-tier schools, diverse recreational opportunities and access to health care.
The county’s 23 schools include three National Blue Ribbon Schools, 16 West Virginia Schools of Excellence, one National Title I Distinguished School and one Premier Career & Technical Center. Among Putnam County students, the average ACT scores are above the national composite, and the county’s graduation rate is one of the best in the state. Also, the Putnam Career & Technical Center boasts a 91 percent job placement rate for graduates.
Putnam County residents also enjoy convenient access to six hospitals, including several university teaching facilities, and an abundance of health care specialists. It was ranked the third healthiest county in the Mountain State in 2020 by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF).
One of the markers on the RWJF’s County Health Rankings & Roadmaps is access to exercise opportunities, and Putnam County is home to a variety of recreational activities, including amenities added during the recent upgrade to Valley Park in Hurricane.
“The 60-acre park now includes the Waves of Fun water park; an 18-hole mini golf course; baseball, softball and soccer fields; tennis and beach volleyball courts; numerous multipurpose fields; fishing ponds; miles of walking trails; an outdoor amphitheater; a seasonal synthetic ice rink; numerous picnic shelters; and a fenced-in dog park,” says Dunlap.
Along with the Valley Park renovation and other notable changes, other amenities that promote a healthier lifestyle have been part of the county culture for years.
“Eleanor Park has these amazing hiking and biking trails that have been a bit of a best-kept secret,” says Kelli Steele, executive director of the Putnam County Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB). “The Meeks Mountain Trails system at Hurricane City Park that recently opened and is still being developed offers even more trails for enthusiasts. Winfield also just put in a beautiful boat launch ramp right under the Winfield Bridge, which provides a safe place for motorboats to launch. It’s also an ideal spot for paddle sports because the water is relatively still there since it’s just upriver from the Winfield Locks and Dam. I think Putnam County will become more of a destination for trail runners, mountain bikers and watersports in the next five to 10 years.”
An Opportune Place to Play
Along with easy access the river and hiking and biking trails, Putnam County is also home to a growing foodie scene and boutique shopping.
“Many people don’t realize how many great local restaurants are here in Putnam County,” says Steele. “We have everything from ethnic cuisine to country cooking, and I’m still surprised by the quality and variety of food for the size of the community.”
The county’s impressive collection of beautiful indoor and outdoor locations makes the perfect backdrop for a wealth of community events and celebrations.
“The chamber loves partnering with other organizations in the county like the Putnam County CVB, Putnam County Schools, Putnam County Library and Putnam Parks and Recreation to provide a wide range of events and services to help support people of all ages. We are all in this together, and that sense of community is what makes our county so attractive,” says Glance.
Some of the county’s most successful events include Main Street Food Truck Fridays in Hurricane, the Putnam County Farmers Market and Tastes and Talents Month.
“Tastes and Talents is our annual month-long focus on food and the arts that occurs each March,” says Steele. “We work with local restaurants to promote specials, local food, local music and local artists. By March, people are usually itching to get out again following the winter, so it’s a great time to remind people about the amazing food and artists right here in the area. I think there is a perception that there is nothing to do here—particularly from those outside the area, and that is simply not true. Our community calendar is usually packed.”
Gritt’s Farm, located in Buffalo, WV, has been adding to its agritourism repertoire and creating new experiences for Putnam County residents for the past several years, offering everything from planter and basket workshops and a self-pick sunflower patch to an adult Easter egg hunt, farm-to-table dinner series and farm yoga classes. The highlight of the Gritt’s Farm experience is its annual fall fun farm. Every year the farm adds a new attraction, and visitor favorites include the corn bin, corn maze, pumpkin patch, wagon rides, apple canons, zip lines and archery.
“Our fun farm allows the kids to play outside and create memories while spending time with the entire family,” says Marketing and Agritourism Director Maggie Parsons. “Our farm isn’t something you just pass by or drop in to see what it is—it’s a destination in Putnam County. We appreciate that people will drive out of their way to visit and support our small family farm.”
Putnam County’s small-town feel and big-city access to amenities really do attract people of all ages.
“I think our biggest challenge might be to assume we are going to have the same incredible growth even if we don’t keep putting in the effort,” says Glance. “That’s why I go to work every day and try to think of how we can not only maximize our existing advantages but also maximize our potential. We can always do more to help businesses get started and grow. No matter how well we are doing—and there is no question Putnam County has done exceptionally well over the last 20 years—we can do even better in the next 20. The secret is out about Putnam County. Obviously, there is the old saying about location, location, location, but that is only part of the equation. What we have are some of the best schools in the state, some of the safest communities with small-town charm and tons of good-paying jobs. Once you move to Putnam County, there is no reason to leave.
