October is the start of Fall, the season travelers love to descend on the Greenbrier Valley to take in beautiful scenes of autumn color along our agricultural and open-space landscapes. For some, it is the start of the Hallo-thanks-mas holiday season, where our small-town boutiques and main street businesses provide inspirational shopping trips. October is also National Manufacturing Month, a month where we at the Greenbrier Valley EDC appreciate and raise awareness about the manufacturing landscape that may not be so obvious as our scenic beauty and small town charm, but one that is growing and positively impacting the overall economy of our region.
Manufacturing in the Greenbrier Valley is characterized by a diverse mix of industries – aerospace, electronics, machining, food and beverage, wood products. From Fortune 500 companies to smaller manufacturing companies, businesses have started or relocated to our region, where they have found a skilled workforce and a comfortable way of life to call home. National Manufacturing Month gives us yet another opportunity to highlight the importance of manufacturing in job creation, innovation, and workforce development. And to thank our many partners that help to support this growing economic sector for the Greenbrier Valley.
According to the Census Bureau, 19,459 individuals are employed in the Greenbrier Valley and its three counties of Pocahontas, Greenbrier, and Monroe. Of those, 8.9% (1,731) are employed in the manufacturing industry.
The largest manufacturer in our region is Collins Aerospace, with more than 250 employees. This company, now under the RTX banner, is seated just outside Union in Monroe County, with 140,000 square feet of manufacturing space amid the agrarian terrain. Collins manufactures ice protection systems for aircraft, specialty heating systems, and potable water systems for commercial and military aircraft. In conjunction with RTX company Pratt & Whitney in Bridgeport, they spend more than $128 million annually with local suppliers and support a comprehensive company-sponsored employee education program by paying tuition directly to public institutions for degree and nondegree curriculum.
Collins is one of many manufacturing enterprises that call the Greenbrier Valley home. In honor of Manufacturing Month, follow our socials to learn more about more great companies including: Almost Heaven Saunas, AEI, GTS, Smooth Ambler, and M-Rock.
AND, its also National Woodworking Manufacturing Month!
The largest concentration of manufacturers in the Greenbrier Valley are primary and secondary wood product manufacturers. This is in part to the abundance of wood resources in our region. And so, in addition to National Manufacturing Month, we celebrate the companion National Woodworking Manufacturing Month, as adopted and promoted by the International Woodworking Fair (IWF). (For more IWF information and the great wood products in our region, take a look back at our post after the 2022 IWF in Atlanta here).
The WV Great Barrel Company, founded in 2017, has experienced remarkable growth while establishing itself as a premium manufacturer of white oak barrels. WVGBC has invested more than $70 million in their White Sulphur Springs site and created more than 227 jobs at its cooperage and four associated stave mills across the state. Their manufacturing line is chock full of innovation and technology with a focus on employee safety.
The Great Barrel Company along with Mullican Flooring, Architectural Wood, and Mott Manufacturing have found a winning solution in the Greenbrier Valley.
And there’s more! National Wood Products Week
And if National Manufacturing Month and National Woodworking Manufacturing Month aren’t enough reasons to celebrate? October is also the month that holds National Wood Products Week. Since 1960, the third week of October (20-27), has offered an opportunity to celebrate healthy forests and the diverse array of products that come from forests across our nation.
In the Greenbrier Valley, forest products have been a heritage industry supporting foresters, loggers, sawmills, and associated occupations for more than 100 years. When we responsibly steward the abundant and sustainable resources that we are blessed with in our region, we not only protect our environment but also support a critical pillar of our economy that provides thousands of jobs for our people.
Beckwith Lumber, began in Pocahontas County in 1961, and continues to operate in rural Slatyfork, WV. With more than 70 employees, Beckwith has weathered the ebb and flow of the timber markets over six decades. As one of the largest private employers in the county, they have also invested in innovative workforce programs that provide second chances for individuals with barriers to employment. Its CEO, Danny Woods, recently joined the Greenbrier Valley EDC Board of Directors, following in the Beckwith tradition of giving time and talents to community priorities.
Manufacturing Resources: Partners, Tax Credit, Workforce Training
In addition to being central to more than ½ of the US population and having a skilled workforce, one reason the Greenbrier Valley manufacturers thrive is the number of resources available to the industry.
West Virginia Incentives:
A number of incentives including tax credits and lower interest loans, are available to job creators, and particularly manufacturers, through the WVEDA and the WV Department of Economic Development. More information on the myriad of options is here. We can help navigate these options.
Manufacturing Support organizations:
WVU Industrial Extension supports operational improvement and business growth. The team is focused on helping local manufacturers and industry professionals generate business results and thrive in today’s technology-driven economy through developing consulting services that reflect client needs, provide hands-on education and work one-on-one with clients to deliver practical solutions.
The Marshall Advanced Manufacturing Center (formerly RCBI) also supports manufacturing companies of all sizes. In addition to providing leased use of high-tech equipment, MAMC provides workforce development programs, Quality Management Implementation, and customized workforce training, and assistance in federal contract procurement.
The WV Hardwood Alliance Zone, a group of 12 counties in the heart of West Virginia’s premiere hardwood region, is designed to provide a competitive advantage to support business development in the wood and wood product industry. The group works collectively to promote and support our current companies in the forestry and wood product space, while attracting complementary companies to the area. The WV Hardwood Alliance Zone is home to more than 400 wood producers, manufacturers, loggers, truckers and other supporting companies and has an online directory (currently being updated) here.
The WV Manufacturer’s Association represents manufacturer members from across West Virginia through policy and advocacy since 1915. The association provides its members with access to experts in the area of environmental protection, workers’ compensation, unemployment compensation, tax, safety and other areas of interest to manufacturers. In addition, the WVMA facilitates other beneficial relationships and programs for a broad range of manufacturing sectors.
Workforce Training Programs:
A number of programs to upskill, reskill, and otherwise train employees in manufacturing are offered to help offset the costs of training, or provide specialized programs for employers. Options include On-the-Job Training, Apprenticeships, Incumbent Worker Training, customized training and others. These programs are offered by a growing network of workforce development partners. For this article, we’ll save some time and refer you to past posts on the topic, below.
Connect with Us
If your company needs assistance with locating, retaining, or expanding your manufacturing business in the Greenbrier Valley, we can help. By providing a customized portfolio of resources that will support your success, we can connect you with the resources that match your needs.
We’re thrilled to use these October events to uplift our manufacturers in the Greenbrier Valley, though our appreciation is not time limited. The work of these companies and their positive impact on our economy and their investment in our communities provides many reasons for gratitude daily.
