Strategic Advantage
The Shenandoah Valley offers a unique combination of strategic advantages that make it an exceptional place to do business.
With a pro-business climate supported by local and state incentives, the region fosters innovation and sustainable growth across diverse industries. Employers benefit from a highly skilled and dedicated workforce, strengthened by regional colleges, universities, and technical programs that align education with industry needs.
Business Climate
The Shenandoah Valley offers a business-friendly climate designed to fuel growth and investment.
Home to more than 15 company headquarters and twenty-five international companies, businesses benefit from competitive local and state incentives, streamlined permitting, and strong public-private partnerships that support expansion. A skilled, adaptable workforce and modern infrastructure that includes I81/I64 access, rail, the Virginia Inland Port, and the Shenandoah Valley Airport make operations efficient and connected. Combined with lower operating costs and an exceptional quality of life, the Valley is an ideal location for businesses seeking to grow and thrive.
#2 State for Business Climate
2025 Business Facilities Magazine
Top 5 Best States for Business 2025
CNBC
Workforce
The Shenandoah Valley offers a key strategic advantage: a stable, highly capable workforce supported by robust training pipelines and proven industry partnerships.
Anchored by respected universities, technical colleges, and customized workforce development programs, the region consistently produces talent ready to meet the demands of advanced manufacturing, logistics, food processing, healthcare, and technology operations. Employers benefit from low turnover, a strong work ethic, and a collaborative regional approach that aligns education, industry, and economic development priorities. In the Shenandoah Valley, companies find not just employees, but a long-term, reliable talent ecosystem built for growth.
Infrastructure & Connectivity
The Valley’s robust infrastructure—including major interstate access via I-81 and I-64, the Shenandoah Valley Airport, rail connections, Virginia Inland Port access and proximity to key East Coast markets—ensures exceptional logistics efficiency and connectivity.
Businesses and residents alike enjoy a lower cost of living compared to major metropolitan areas, while the region’s unmatched natural beauty, vibrant communities, and high quality of life make it an ideal place to live, work, and grow.
Businesses also benefit from reliable utility providers who are responsive to business needs and experts in accommodating industrial loads. With its central location, lower operating costs, and robust transportation network, the Valley uniquely combines efficiency, accessibility, and cost-effectiveness for companies looking to grow and compete.
137 Miles of Interstate System
Strategic East Coast Location provides one day drive time to 2/3 of U.S. Population
10 Regional Colleges and Universities Graduate more than 11,000 students annually
Cost of Living Index & Quality of Life Indicators
The Shenandoah Valley’s Cost of Living Index is consistently below the national average and ranks below other Virginia metros and comparable regions across the U.S. This combination of lower cost of living and strong quality of life allows businesses to operate with lower overhead costs and attract and retain a skilled workforce.
Quality of Life
The Shenandoah Valley offers a quality of life that’s hard to match — where businesses and residents alike thrive.
The region combines a strong education system, multiple healthcare options, and a cost of living that sits below both the Virginia and national averages. Add to this the Valley’s natural beauty and abundant recreation — with the Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains framing miles of hiking, cycling, and scenic drives — and residents have endless opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. Vibrant downtowns, local arts and cultural destinations, and a growing food and beverage scene bring together small-town charm and big-city amenities. Together, these assets create a balanced, fulfilling lifestyle that makes the Shenandoah Valley not just a great place to do business, but an exceptional place to live.
10 Colleges and Universities collectively graduate more than 11,000 students each year
The Shenandoah Valley offers a powerful and reliable workforce built on a deep talent pipeline, strong educational institutions, and a culture of dedication that employers consistently praise.
With ten colleges and universities, including James Madison University, Blue Ridge Community College, Mary Baldwin University, and the Virginia Military Institute, and multiple career & technical education centers, the region produces a steady stream of graduates equipped with in-demand skills.
Our education network partners closely with employers to align training with real-world needs, supporting a diverse industry base that spans advanced manufacturing, agribusiness, logistics, technology, and professional services.
Combined with the region’s reputation for a strong work ethic, loyalty, and productivity, the Shenandoah Valley provides companies with a workforce that is both highly capable and ready to grow.
#1 Customized Training Leader in the U.S. – Business Facilities Magazine, 2025
Education & Training Providers
Regional Career and Technical Centers
Regional Career and Technical Centers provide Career and Technical Education (CTE) curricula to our local high school student populations, as well as offering adult continuing education programs, trade-industry certifications and a wealth of related training options.
- Floyd S. Kay Technical Center, Serving Rockbridge County
- Industrial Refrigeration Technical College, Serving the Shenandoah Valley and beyond
- Massanutten Technical Center, Serving Harrisonburg and Rockingham County
- Mertz Career and Technical Center, Serving Bath County
- Page County Technical Center, Serving Page County
- Triplett Tech, Serving Shenandoah County
- Valley Career and Technical Center, Serving Augusta County, Staunton and Waynesboro
- Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center, Serving people with disabilities
Incentives
Virginia offers a variety of performance-based incentives designed to target the needs of the company and the development plans of localities and the state. Virginia views incentives as an investment in Virginia’s economic future and a business opportunity for both the Commonwealth and the company.
Virginia Incentives
- Discretionary Incentives
- Financial Assistance
- Infrastructure Assistance
- Recruitment & Training Incentives
- Regional & Local Assistance
- Tax Incentives
The Shenandoah Valley Partnership connects prospective investors and expanding businesses with state and local government contacts to foster the development of potential incentive packages tailored to the specific needs and requirements of each project. In addition to a variety of state-led performance-based incentives resources for growth, local incentive packages are available in the Shenandoah Valley, generally performance-based utilizing an ROI analysis.
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