West Virginia Business News

The Jefferson County Development Authority announces that Dennis Jarvis II will be its new executive director, effective July 6. Jarvis will lead the organization as it develops a new strategic plan for its future direction and focus on economic development efforts in Jefferson County.

As part of the Coronavirus Farm Assistance Program (CFAP), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will provide up to $2.1 billion in direct payments to specialty crops producers. The payments are one of several measures the USDA is taking to support America's specialty crops industry which has been greatly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The latest round of funding authorized by Congress through the Paycheck Protection Program and Healthcare Enhancement Act provides funding for agricultural businesses affected by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. 

Under a new federal program called Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), self-employed individuals and others not eligible for regular unemployment compensation can apply for temporary unemployment benefits through WorkForce West Virginia.

As part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, a new $349 billion Paycheck Protection Program has been established. The Program will provide much-needed relief to millions of small businesses so they can sustain their businesses and keep their workers employed.

Shenandoah Valley Holdings, LLC, has purchased a lot in the Burr Business Park in Kearneysville, W.Va., and plans to construct a distillery and conduct distillery-related activities.

The Jefferson County Development Authority recently sold a 2.5-acre lot in the business park to Wylie McDade and Brain Halbert of Shenandoah Valley Holdings, LLC. McDade and Halbert plan to build a 4,000-square-foot facility to be known as Devil’s Due Distillery for the production and distribution of alcohol. The facility will also include a storefront and retail center. In addition, Devil’s Due Distillery will offer distillery tours, tastings and occasionally host educational events to promote the distilling industry.

By order of the Jefferson County Commission, all county offices, including the Jefferson County Development Authority (JCDA) office, are closed to the public through April 30, 2020 due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The County Commission will reevaluate the situation as needed.

As part of the Trump Administration’s aggressive, whole-of-government efforts to combat the Coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19) and minimize economic disruption to the nation’s 30 million small businesses, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has issued revised criteria for states or territories seeking an economic injury declaration related to Coronavirus. 

The relaxed criteria will have two immediate impacts:

The Jefferson County Development Authority seeks a community-focused economic developer to create jobs through growth of government entities, small businesses, agribusiness, tourism, and light manufacturing.  Must be an excellent communicator with a strong knowledge base in finance, real estate,  and workforce development.  

The Jefferson County Development Authority (JCDA) has hired Capacity Partners to facilitate thedevelopment of a new strategic plan that will guide JCDA leaders in setting the direction of the organization and economic well-being of Jefferson County and its residents.