Wood County, WV Economic Development

08/31/2026

If Jenny Ferruso is on here I want to thank her for the VERY cool mosaic she handmade of our new office at 402 Avery Street!

We can’t wait to get this showcased😊

08/31/2026

The West Virginia Farmers Market Association is accepting applications for its 2026 Mini-Grant Program. Applications are due by September 18th!

Eligible West Virginia markets may request up to $5,000 for tangible items that improve market operations, visibility, or service to vendors and customers.

Eligible Market Types Include:
Traditional farmers markets
Roadside stands
Consignment markets
On-farm stands
Mobile markets
Online markets

The program is funded by the West Virginia Department of Agriculture.

What Can the Grant Fund?
Examples Include:
Coolers, refrigerators, CoolBot trailers, and display cases
Tents, shade structures, pavilions, and storage
Durable tables, chairs, and market fixtures
Wi-Fi hotspots, point-of-sale devices, tablets, and laptops used for market management
Handheld or infrared customer counters
Branded signs, directional signs, and wayfinding
Flyers, brochures, and banners

These examples are not the only eligible items. Applicants should propose items that address their market’s specific needs.

Grant Funds May Not Be Used For:
Salaries
Indirect costs or general overhead
Purchases outside the approved project budget without prior WVFMA approval

Application link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScSES4CeTFK_PukAVKpUGKG5dvJ6rLjt6C_nLOXGjX8j-KdNA/viewform

08/28/2026

Our open house for 402 Avery Street and Chamber of Commerce of the Mid-Ohio Valley Business After Hours will be held on October 20th so I don’t want to give too much away about our building BUT….

Studio NorthSouth is helping us with some finishing touches. We will have 3 of these frames and are looking for great pictures that honor Wood County/Williamstown/Vienna/Parkersburg's history.

Small frame fits 8x10 with mat board and large frame is 9x12 with mat board for reference!

If you have any good ones that you’re willing to share, please drop them below or DM us!

08/27/2026

We're excited to have a manufacturing prospect back in town for a second visit! We're looking forward to site tours and a group dinner with our friends at Shale Crescent USA and the Polymer Alliance Zone, Inc.

08/27/2026

Kicked off my Thursday with this shining face! So thankful to get to work with and be friends with the most incredible people!

08/26/2026

Congratulations to Westbrook Health Services on their expansion into downtown Parkersburg! They currently have 50 admin employees downtown which has allowed for additional clinicians at their other locations!

08/26/2026

Our member, Westbrook Health Services, will be having a ribbon-cutting at their new location at 409 Market Street in downtown Parkersburg (formerly WesBanco) at 4 PM today. Come join us!

Today's the day...👀🎀

Westbrook Health Services is excited to welcome the community to our new location at 409 Market Street!

Come celebrate this exciting milestone with us and take a look inside our new space. The event is open to everyone, and guests will have the opportunity to tour the facility, meet members of our team, and learn more about the services we provide.

🥂 Refreshments will be provided
🏢 Tours of our new location
🤝 Open to the community

We can't wait to have you join us as we celebrate this new chapter for Westbrook and our continued commitment to serving our community. 💙

📍 409 Market St.
📅 Wednesday, August 26, 2026
⏰ 4:00 PM

See you soon!

08/25/2026

Excited to join Downtown PKB for a ribbon cutting at 707 Market Street in downtown Parkersburg this afternoon!

Parkersburg Brewing Co. has officially joined forces with The Lost Anchor Restaurant 🥳

Stop in an check out their new menu! 😋

08/21/2026

WHEW- I heard you loud and clear about the Downtown PKB job description being too long. I wanted to go through the 4 points of Main Street America for those unfamiliar BUT, I get it. It was too long. 🤣

Let's try this again....

Downtown PKB is seeking an energetic, creative, and community-minded Executive Director to lead the continued revitalization, growth, and promotion of downtown Parkersburg.

This is an exciting opportunity for a relationship-builder, problem-solver, and enthusiastic advocate who enjoys working with people, businesses, entrepreneurs, community leaders, and volunteers to turn ideas into action.

The Executive Director serves as the face and champion of Downtown PKB, leading its Main Street program and working with the Board of Directors, committees, businesses, property owners, and community partners to create a vibrant, welcoming, and economically successful downtown.

Key Responsibilities
• Lead Downtown PKB’s downtown revitalization efforts and Main Street program.
• Work with the Board of Directors to establish goals, priorities, and annual action plans.
• Build strong relationships with downtown businesses, property owners, entrepreneurs, developers, investors, and community leaders.
• Support business retention, expansion, recruitment, and downtown investment.
• Connect businesses and property owners with grants, funding, technical assistance, and other resources.
• Promote downtown Parkersburg as a great place to visit, shop, dine, work, live, and invest.
• Lead and support downtown events, promotions, marketing, and community activities.
• Develop positive relationships with local media and promote Downtown PKB and its businesses.
• Encourage downtown beautification, historic preservation, public art, placemaking, and building improvements.
• Engage volunteers and strengthen partnerships with civic, nonprofit, arts, educational, governmental, and economic development organizations.
• Coordinate Board and committee activities and keep leadership informed of downtown projects, opportunities, and challenges.
• Assist with budgeting, financial management, grants, fundraising, sponsorships, reporting, and day-to-day operations.
• Represent Downtown PKB at local, regional, state, and national meetings and events.
• Supervise employees and consultants as authorized by the Board.

We are looking for someone who is positive, energetic, organized, creative, and ready to make things happen.
Experience or education in one or more of the following areas is preferred:
• Economic or community development
• Business development or entrepreneurship
• Marketing, communications, or public relations
• Event planning
• Nonprofit or volunteer management
• Public administration
• Finance or business administration
• Small business development

The ideal candidate is someone who builds relationships, sees opportunities, brings people together, and isn't afraid to roll up their sleeves and get the job done.

Salary: $55,000–$68,000 per year, depending on experience and qualifications.

Current hours are Monday-Friday 8-4 located at our office in downtown Parkersburg at 402 Avery Street!

To apply, please send a resume, cover letter and two references to [email protected].

08/21/2026

The West Virginia Farmers Market Association has opened applications for its 2026 Mini-Grant Program, offering eligible local markets up to $5,000 per project to strengthen operations and better serve vendors and customers.📣📣📣

Funded by the West Virginia Department of Agriculture, the grants cover tangible equipment, including coolers, tents, management technology, signage and promotional materials.

Applicants must be state-registered markets and current association members. Eligible market types include traditional markets, roadside stands, consignment markets, on-farm stands, mobile markets and online options. First-time applicants receive a two-point scoring bonus.

Applications opened Aug. 7 and must be submitted by Sept. 18 at 11:59 p.m. EST. Application materials are available at wvfarmers.org/projects/mini-grants/.

https://www.wvnews.com/news/wvnews/farmers-markets-can-apply-for-mini-grants-up-to-5-000/article_041e4849-af3c-4f25-8ed9-001d1f2289b5.html

2026 WVFMA $5,000 Mini-Grant Program The West Virginia Farmers Market Association is accepting applications for its 2026 Mini-Grant Program. Eligible West Virginia markets may request up to $5,000 for tangible items that improve market operations, visibility, or service to vendors and customers.The....