West Virginia has announced the federal certification of 52 new Opportunity Zone census tracts across 32 counties, creating additional areas where qualifying private investments may receive federal tax benefits.

Governor Patrick Morrisey announced the designations November 5, following certification by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

The new zones are intended to encourage investment in commercial development, manufacturing, housing, infrastructure, and other projects that could support local economic activity.

The designations will take effect January 1, 2027, and remain in place for 10 years.

How Opportunity Zones Support Investment

Opportunity Zones are designated geographic areas where investors may qualify for federal tax incentives when they reinvest eligible capital gains through Qualified Opportunity Funds.

The program is designed to encourage long-term private investment in communities identified for economic development.

Under the updated Opportunity Zones 2.0 framework, qualifying rural investments may receive enhanced tax treatment.

According to the West Virginia Division of Economic Development, investments through Qualified Rural Opportunity Funds can receive a 30% basis increase after five years, compared with 10% for standard Qualified Opportunity Funds.

The state also identifies a reduced substantial improvement requirement for qualifying rural properties.

These incentives apply to qualifying investments under federal rules. They are not direct grants or automatic tax benefits for every business operating within a designated area.

Thirty-Two Counties Included

The newly certified census tracts are located in the following West Virginia counties:

Berkeley, Boone, Braxton, Brooke, Cabell, Calhoun, Greenbrier, Hampshire, Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, Jefferson, Kanawha, Lewis, Marshall, McDowell, Mercer, Mineral, Mingo, Monongalia, Morgan, Nicholas, Ohio, Pocahontas, Putnam, Raleigh, Roane, Summers, Upshur, Wayne, Wood, and Wyoming.

The designations apply to specific census tracts within these counties, not necessarily to every property or community throughout each county.

Businesses and investors should verify individual property locations against the official Opportunity Zone maps before making investment decisions.

Local Communities Identify Development Opportunities

West Virginia’s selection process included nominations from local economic development authorities, county commissions, and regional planning organizations.

State officials prioritized locations with potential for business investment, infrastructure development, and employment growth.

In Hampshire County, local officials identified the Route 50 corridor and Capon Bridge Industrial and Technology Park as potential beneficiaries.

Wood County officials highlighted opportunities involving industrial riverfront property, logistics, manufacturing, and downtown redevelopment.

In Harrison County, economic development leaders identified historic property rehabilitation and industrial investment opportunities around Clarksburg.

Monongalia County officials pointed to redevelopment possibilities in Morgantown, including commercial corridors, housing, and downtown improvements.

These examples represent potential uses for future investment rather than confirmed projects financed through the new designations.

What Business Owners Should Know

The Opportunity Zone program may be relevant to entrepreneurs, property developers, manufacturers, and investors considering projects within eligible census tracts.

However, the tax benefits are structured around qualifying investments and funds.

A business located inside an Opportunity Zone does not automatically receive financing or a tax credit simply because of its address.

Interested businesses should review the official geographic designations and applicable federal investment requirements.

The West Virginia Division of Economic Development has established an Opportunity Zones 2.0 resource page containing program information and census tract maps.

Designations Begin in 2027

The November 5 announcement establishes the locations selected for the next phase of West Virginia’s Opportunity Zone program.

It does not announce a specific number of new jobs or guarantee that private investment will occur in every designated community.

For local governments and economic development organizations, the new designations provide another potential tool for attracting private capital.

For businesses and investors, the immediate next step is determining whether ...

A family-owned Louisiana wood products business is expanding into industrial biochar manufacturing with a $16.3 million investment in Alexandria.

Robinson Carbon announced plans to establish a manufacturing facility at England Airpark in Rapides Parish, according to a November 4 announcement from Louisiana Economic Development.

The project is expected to create 42 direct jobs while retaining 22 existing positions associated with the company’s Louisiana operations.

State economic development officials estimate that the investment could also support 60 indirect jobs, bringing the total potential employment impact to 102 positions.

Construction is expected to begin in November 2026, with production anticipated during the second quarter of 2027.

Turning Wood Manufacturing Residues Into New Products

The facility will produce biochar, a carbon-rich material created by heating organic material under controlled conditions.

Biochar has commercial applications in agriculture, horticulture, and environmental remediation.

Robinson Carbon plans to use residual wood material from nearby lumber mills, creating an additional commercial outlet for byproducts of Louisiana’s existing timber industry.

The proposed facility will operate two rotary drum pyrolysis reactors capable of processing approximately 100,000 metric tons of Southern Yellow Pine residuals annually.

The company expects the operation to produce approximately 16,500 metric tons of biochar each year.

These figures represent planned production capacity rather than current output.

A Fifth-Generation Family Business Expands

Robinson Carbon is part of Robinson Lumber Company, a family-owned business established in New Orleans in 1893.

The company began by selling Louisiana longleaf pine and subsequently expanded into international wood products manufacturing and distribution.

Its new biochar operation represents another stage in that development.

The company has relocated a pilot reactor from New Albany, Indiana, to Alexandria.

That equipment will be used to train employees before full-scale production begins.

The project illustrates how an established business can use existing industry relationships and manufacturing experience to enter a different market.

Hiring Already Underway in Alexandria

Unlike some economic development announcements involving only long-term employment projections, Robinson Carbon has confirmed that it is currently hiring for its Alexandria operations.

The company’s planned workforce expansion includes 42 direct positions.

Louisiana Economic Development did not provide a detailed breakdown of job titles, salaries, or hiring deadlines in its November 4 announcement.

The additional 60 indirect jobs are economic development estimates and should not be interpreted as positions currently being advertised by Robinson Carbon.

The company expects to begin commercial production during the second quarter of 2027.

State Incentives Support the Project

Louisiana is supporting the investment with an incentive package that includes a $550,000 performance-based grant for site and infrastructure improvements.

Robinson Carbon is also expected to participate in the state’s High Impact Jobs and Industrial Tax Exemption programs.

The grant is part of the company’s negotiated economic development package. It is not a newly announced grant opportunity for unrelated businesses.

Louisiana Economic Development also encourages companies interested in supplying goods or services to economic development projects to register through its Source Louisiana procurement platform.

New Opportunities for Central Louisiana

The Alexandria facility connects an established regional industry with a developing manufacturing market.

Nearby lumber mills may gain another outlet for residual wood material, while the project creates potential demand for industrial equipment, transportation, construction, and related business services.

No specific supplier contracts were identified in the announcement.

For Alexandria and Rapides Parish, the confirmed development is a $16.3 million planned investment, 42 projected direct jobs, and construction expected to begin this month.

The project is scheduled to move into production in 2027.

Pennsylvania has approved more than $4.9 million in low-interest financing to support business expansion, manufacturing investment, commercial property improvements, and childcare services across four counties.

The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development announced November 5 that five loans were approved through the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority, commonly known as PIDA.

The financing supports projects in Bedford, Blair, Lancaster, and Lehigh counties. Together, the projects represent approximately $19.3 million in planned investment, with commitments to create 15 full-time jobs and retain another 224 existing positions.

The investments demonstrate how state-backed financing can support businesses with different needs, from acquiring production facilities to expanding services that help working families.

Bedford County: Childcare Center Plans Expansion

The Bedford County Development Association received approval for a $401,760 loan to develop approximately 9,000 square feet within its business center.

The project will provide a larger facility for Burkett’s Watch Me Grow daycare center.

The expansion is designed to increase the center’s capacity from 65 to 100 children, creating 35 additional childcare spaces.

Plans include five classrooms, nine restrooms, a commercial kitchen, offices, storage areas, and outdoor recreation space.

The total project cost is approximately $1 million.

Although the announcement does not identify new employment commitments associated with the childcare expansion, the additional capacity could help local families maintain employment by increasing access to childcare services.

Blair County: Food Manufacturer Invests in Warehouse Property

DelGrosso Foods received approval for a $1.6 million loan to purchase a 78,500-square-foot warehouse at 150 Enterprise Campus Drive in Altoona.

The project has a total estimated cost of $3.2 million.

According to the state, the property purchase will allow the company to replace an existing capital lease payment with a smaller debt-service payment.

DelGrosso Foods has committed to retaining 196 full-time positions over three years.

The announcement does not identify additional jobs associated with this project.

Lancaster County: Sweet Shoppe Business Plans New Production Facility

Hummingbird Launch LLC received approval for a $750,000 loan to acquire property at 209 Hazel Street in Lancaster.

The building will support expanded operations for Stroopies, Inc. and Lancaster Sweet Shoppe LLC.

The project includes increased production capacity, a new Sweet Shoppe café, and accommodations for bus tours and visiting groups.

The total investment is estimated at $2.3 million.

The company has committed to creating three full-time jobs and retaining seven existing positions within three years.

The expansion combines food production with additional retail and visitor-oriented business activity.

Lehigh County: New Bottling and Packaging Facility Planned

MillPress Real Estate Holdings received approval for two loans totaling approximately $2.2 million to support a new facility in Bethlehem.

The project involves acquiring land and developing a 49,920-square-foot building at 1550 Spillman Drive.

The facility will house MillPress Imports LLC and include specialized bottling and packaging equipment.

The planned production line will integrate filling, labeling, sealing, and conveyor operations.

The overall project is valued at approximately $12.8 million.

MillPress Imports has committed to creating 12 full-time jobs and retaining 21 existing positions within three years.

Financing Available for Business Development

PIDA provides low-interest loans and credit facilities for eligible Pennsylvania businesses undertaking qualifying development projects.

Financing may support property acquisition, construction, renovations, equipment purchases, and certain working-capital needs.

The five loans announced November 5 have already been approved for specific projects. They do not represent a newly opened grant application period.

For Pennsylvania business owners considering expansion, the announcement illustrates the types of investments that may qualify for financing through the state’s economic development programs.

The projects also show how relatively modest employment increases ...