Target Industries

Our business community consists of many agricultural, information technology, manufacturing and government agencies. With such a rich history and recreational opportunities, tourism also plays an important role in Jefferson County economic development.


Manufacturing

Ranson was once the hub of manufacturing in Jefferson County and manufacturing still has deep roots in Jefferson County. A variety of successful, long-standing establishments and major employers create rewarding commercial opportunities for residents at Jefferson County's business parks. With attractive incentives from the state and a ready workforce, the possibilities are endless in this sector.

  • Ox Paperboard LLC (formerly Halltown Paperboard) is the oldest continuously operating company in West Virginia.
  • DALB, Inc. produced all of the interior signage for the Denver Airport, among others.
  • Royal Vendors, Inc. produced its one millionth machine in 2003. Their machines are located around the world in places like France, Israel and Australia.
  • Automated Merchandising Systems AMS (Automated Merchandising Systems Inc) is a privately owned company founded in 1997 for the purpose of manufacturing dependable state-of-the-art vending machines.
  • Schonstedt Instrument Company manufactured a device that originally assisted in orienting the Hubble Space Telescope. They have donated more than 277 of its detection devices to the United Nations Land Mine Demining Initiative.
  • Burch Wood Products Burch Wood Products, Inc. was founded in 1979 by William R. Burch, Jr. We are located in Summit Point, WV just outside of Charles Town. The company started out small, supplying our various products to local manufacturers and mobile home dealerships. As the years passed, their business grew and flourished. Now, they have customers spanning across the tri-state area and beyond.
Government

Jefferson County is the easternmost West Virginia county and a short distance from Washington, D.C., and the federal government. Biotech and healthcare industries choose Jefferson County, West Virginia because of its easy access to the National Institutes of Health, the Food & Drug Administration and other federal entities in or regulating these industries. Our centralized location also provides easy access to a pool of experienced and trained scientists, as well as Johns Hopkins and other universities producing graduates in related fields. Many of our residents commute to government jobs in the Washington, D.C. metro area. There are also a number of federal installations in Jefferson County and Eastern Panhandle.

Tourism

Thomas Jefferson stated in 1785 that a visit to our area was "worth a voyage across the Atlantic." We hope you take President Jefferson's advice, visit us and locate your tourism business here.  A year-round industry in Jefferson County, tourism is one of the top drivers of economic development in our community. Recreational activities and outdoor adventures—such as car races at Summit Point Raceway, horse races, table games and slots at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races, hiking at Harpers Ferry National Historic Park and rafting and ziplining the Shenandoah at River Riders—blend perfectly with cultural activities at the Contemporary American Theater Festival, the Old Opera House, and historic walking and driving tours. 

​​Small Business
Small business start up is important for economic growth. Jefferson County’s largest business sector is small businesses, which vary from information technology and manufacturing to retail and recreation and provide outstanding commercial opportunities among the community.

The West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WVSBDC) of the Eastern Panhandle is a division of the WV Development Office. The WVSBDC promotes economic development in West Virginia  through a program of practical, interrelated services that provide assistance to existing small businesses and entrepreneurs. The regional office is located at 142 N. Queen St. in Martinsburg, WV. To learn more about the WVSBDC, please visit their website.