Morrisey Launches $40 Million Industrial Site Initiative
West Virginia's new program funds shell buildings and site preparation to attract private development across the state.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Economic Indicators
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West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey launched a $40 million industrial site readiness initiative on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, administered through the state Economic Development Authority. The program aims to prepare sites and shell buildings for the next wave of private development.
Why it matters
The initiative targets undeveloped land and prefabricated buildings that need environmental testing, grading, road access, or utility extensions before companies can locate there. State officials say it is intended to make West Virginia more competitive with neighboring states for private site development.
The $40 million initiative splits into $25 million for Ready Shell Building loans and $15 million for Site Readiness grants, with EDA loans capped at $5 million per 30,000 to 50,000 square foot building. Morrisey reports more than $96 billion in potential investments and 19,000 projected jobs from announcements since taking office, but the number of funded projects and the timeline for those jobs are not yet established.
The players
Patrick Morrisey
Patrick Morrisey is the Governor of West Virginia, who announced the initiative and reported the state's economic development totals since taking office.
West Virginia Economic Development Authority
The West Virginia Economic Development Authority is the state agency that administers the shell building loans and site readiness grants.
The details
Shell building loans are managed by the EDA with flexible financing, and loan payments can be deferred up to two years after construction or until the building is leased or sold. Grants target sites with prospective employer interest or co-investment from local or private partners, and recipients must begin site work within six months of receiving funds. Businesses in the shell buildings must pay at least 120% of the county median wage and create one job per 750 square feet of building space.
Timeline
Tuesday, November 10, 2026: Morrisey announces the $40 million initiative at a press conference in Charleston.
Within six months of receiving grant funds: recipients must begin site work.
Up to two years after construction: shell building loan payments may be deferred.
Economic Development Trajectory
The initiative builds on the Economic Development Authority's existing shell building financing, adding $15 million in grants aimed at site preparation that private developers typically cannot fund alone. It positions West Virginia to compete for the next wave of private site development against neighboring states.
Businesses that locate in the prefabricated shell buildings must pay at least 120% of the county median wage and create jobs at a ratio of one per 750 square feet. Companies considering these sites should review the EDA's loan terms and the six-month site-work deadline for grant recipients.
The takeaway
State incentives for industrial sites focus on the groundwork that private developers often cannot afford, so the wage and job requirements attached to the funding will determine how much of the projected investment reaches local workers.
Further reading
For broader context on state-level economic development signals, explore Economic Indicators.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Newsandsentinel.
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