Jefferson County, West Virginia is an attractive place to do business. Our proximity to the Mid-Atlantic metropolitan areas, our excellent transportation system, an attractive package of business incentives, our telecommunications infrastructure, and our unparalleled quality of life are all factors that make Jefferson County worthy of serious consideration as a business location.

The Jefferson County Development Authority is available, on a confidential, no cost basis, to assist business and industry in making the decision to come to Jefferson County.

The Jefferson County Development Authority (JCDA) was established in 1979, by order of the Jefferson County Commission, as permitted by Chapter 7 of the West Virginia Code. According to the Code, the purpose of the Authority is to promote, develop and advance the business prosperity and economic welfare of the County for which it is created. The JCDA works to attract new business and industry, works with existing business to expand or solve problems, and works to improve the business climate in the State of West Virginia. The development of marketing materials, the dissemination of information pertinent to business decisions, the development and management of the Bardane and Burr Business Parks, and the negotiation of incentive packages with prospects are only a few of the many services provided by the Authority.

The JCDA has a staff of four and a fifteen member volunteer Board of Directors appointed by the County Commission and the municipalities. Its offices are located in the Jefferson County Public Services Center, adjacent to the Burr Business Park.

The Jefferson County Development Authority staff serves on and takes part in the activities of the West Virginia Economic Development Council, Gateway New Economy Council, Homeland Security, Blue Ridge Community and Technical College, International Economic Development Council, Eastern Panhandle Entrepreneurs Forum, Air Quality Task Force, and Jefferson County Citizens for Economic Preservation.

The Agriculture Development Office was formed in October 2004 as part of the Jefferson County Development Authority with the purpose to promote, market, and help sustain agriculture in Jefferson County by working with local producers, citizens, government and other interested parties. The Agriculture Development Officer supports the development of Jefferson County's rural economy by assisting farmers and agriculturally related businesses, such as food processors in the processes of business formation, expansion and relocation.

The Agriculture Development Officer serves as the Executive Director of the Jefferson County Agriculture Task Force, the Market Manager for the Jefferson Farmers Market, and as an advisor for the Farmers’ Cooperative Association. The Office participates in the Eastern Panhandle Rural Tourism Alliance and is active with the Regional Rural Group, made up of Agriculture professionals in the Eastern Panhandle of WV and Northwestern Virginia. The Agriculture Development Office annually co-sponsors a nationally recognized 12-session ag-entrepreneurship training program. Please visit www.jeffersonfarms.org for more information, or call Kellie Boles at 304-728-3051 ext. 239.