West Virginia Opportunity Zones

About West Virginia Opportunity Zones

West Virginia has 55 designated Qualified Opportunity Zones across 40 counties, with concentrations in Kanawha County (Charleston), Cabell County (Huntington), and a number of rural coalfield counties across southern and central West Virginia. West Virginia's OZ program reflects the state's profound economic challenges, it has one of the lowest median household incomes and highest poverty rates in the nation, and is in the midst of a long-term transition away from coal dependence.

Charleston's OZs offer the most commercially viable urban investment environment in the state, with workforce housing and light commercial opportunities anchored by state government and healthcare employment. Huntington's zones, anchored by Marshall University and the Cabell Huntington Hospital system, present urban revitalization opportunities in a city actively working to address its opioid crisis and diversify its economy. West Virginia's rural Appalachian coalfield zones represent significant opportunities for energy transition investment, solar, forestry, and outdoor recreation, and rural community development capital.

All OZ 1.0 designations remain in effect through December 31, 2028. West Virginia's extraordinarily low land costs, federal Abandoned Mine Land reclamation funds, and emerging outdoor recreation economy create a distinctive long-term OZ investment thesis for patient, impact-oriented capital.