The Southern Business & Development Magazine recognized the Charleston Area Alliance as the Mountain State’s best local economic development agency.
Honorees were selected by a Southern Business & Development Roundtable comprised of a dozen current and former commerce secretaries, educators, economists, consultants and local economic developers.
“We are honored with this recognition, and will continue to work diligently with our public and private partners to move the Kanawha Valley and State forward,” Charleston Area Alliance President and CEO Matt Ballard said. “There is much work to be do as the West Virginia economy is in a significant transition. There are no silver bullets in economic development and it doesn’t happen overnight. The path forward for West Virginia must include investments in innovation, economic diversity, education and community. Only these factors in alignment can build a stronger more resilient economy for West Virginia.”
In the last decade, the Charleston Area Alliance has recruited new businesses to the community, assisted existing businesses grow and expand, worked to stimulate new capital investment, incubated and graduated 75 small businesses from its incubator, provided support and business coaching to small business and invested in entrepreneurial programs.
Southern Business & Development Magazine ranked a variety of economic development categories statewide. The Charleston Area Alliance and the City of Charleston received several other awards, which will be published in the March/April issue of Southern Business & Development.
- The City of Charleston was selected as the top place for startups. The Alliance’s business incubator also received votes.
- The best location in West Virginia for bioscience is Charleston.
- Charleston ranked first as the best place to Live & Work.
- The best location for the creative class is Charleston.
Charleston was selected as the best place to retire.
