JEFFERSON COUNTY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
Jefferson County, West Virginia
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.