THE REAL STORY ABOUT MARION COUNTY is its location in the heart of the I-79 Corridor. Known for its high-tech companies, higher education institutions, dynamic health care systems, and robust transportation network, North Central West Virginia is one of the state’s leading growth areas.

Within a 40-mile radius:

• Population: 452,613
• Median Age: 40.4
• Average Household Income: $71,948
• Labor Force: 202,547
• Annual College Graduates: 9,637
• Educational Attainment: 32% of the population has an Associate’s Degree or higher
• Higher Education: Fairmont State University, Pierpont Community & Technical College, West Virginia University, Salem University, Alderson Broaddus University, West Virginia Wesleyan College, Davis & Elkins College, and Waynesburg University.

West Virginia's cost of doing business is among the lowest in the country. The state ranked #10 for the best business climate in Business Facilities 2021 State Rankings Report.

Consider these factors for West Virginia’s business environment

• WV ranks in the top 10 of state GDP Growth (7.3%), the highest in the Southeast and Mid Atlantic
• Unemployment Rate of 4.6%, 10% better than the national average
• FY 2021 revenue surplus of $413 million
• YTD FY 2022 revenue surplus of $700 million
• Rainy Day Fund exceeds $1 billion
• Balanced budget without any tax increases for 5 consecutive years
• Ranked in the Top 10 states for business climate by Site Selection Magazine

Fairmont State University is a comprehensive, student-centered, state-supported institution offering dozens of certificate and degree programs at the associate, bachelor, and master levels via 41-degree programs and over 90 fields of study. It has regional campuses in nearby Harrison County, the Gaston Caperton Center in Clarksburg, and the Robert C. Byrd National Aerospace Education Center in Bridgeport. For more information: www.fairmontstate.edu/

Pierpont Community and Technical College (Pierpont) is a public community college in Fairmont. Founded in 1974, it has the second-largest enrollment of the 10 Community and Technical Colleges that make up the West Virginia Community and Technical College System. The college serves 13 counties in North Central West Virginia with classes offered at more than 15 locations throughout the region. With an enrollment of more than 3,000, Pierpont offers more than 40 associate degree programs, skill sets, and one-year certificates. It specializes in preparing students in two years or less for practical hands-on careers and provides non-credit enrichment courses for individuals and customized workplace training for local employers.

For more information: www.pierpont.edu/

West Virginia University Medicine is expanding and growing the Fairmont campus and hospital. The approximately $110 million, multi-phase plan includes patient care expansion that will bring the total number of inpatient beds up to 80 from its current 42, adding 30 skilled nursing beds, renovating the operating rooms and procedure rooms, and adding to the outpatient imaging, laboratory, and infusion services already offered onsite.

Mon Health Marion Neighborhood Hospital has just opened its $20 million, 19,000 square foot facility, which will have 10 emergency beds, 10 inpatient beds. The hospital offers inpatient and outpatient services, diagnostic imaging and lab services, and full-service emergency services.

Within about 20 miles of Marion County, there are four additional major hospitals:

JW Ruby Memorial Hospital 

WVU Medicine Children’s 

United Hospital Center 

Mon Health Medical Center 

Marion County’s and West Virginia’s cost of living is 12% lower than the national average. The median list price for a home in West Virginia is $97,000, compared to $181,000 nationally.  The state’s electricity costs, on average, are about one-third lower than the rest of the US, and overall utility costs, including natural gas, telephone, and water services, are about seven percent cheaper. 

Industrial electrical rates ranked 5th lowest, commercial electrical rates ranked 10^th lowest, and overall electrical rates ranked 5^th lowest in the nation. Abundant natural gas and water supplies are available.

A premier business location, the I-79 Technology Park is a 400-acre site that's home to several Federal operations including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The Park is also home to more than 30 businesses with approximately 1,000 employees. These businesses include General Dynamics, Electronic Warfare Associates, Inc., FirstEnergy Corp., Leidos, ManTech International Corporation, Northrop Grumman, Spectrum, GST, Healthcare Management Solutions LLC, and the National White Collar Crime Center.

The I-79 Technology Park is also home to the West Virginia Community and Technical College System’s North Central Advanced Technology Center and Pierpont Community & Technical College, which brings a valuable academic component to the I-79 Technology Park community.

The Park features unparalleled electrical and data infrastructure.

More info.

An initiative to attract remote workers to Marion County from all over the country, the program is a collaboration between the City of Fairmont, County Commission, Convention & Visitors Center, HIgh Technology Park, and other entities. More info.