The Tygart Valley Regional Network
The Tygart Valley is a functional regional market built around how people actually live, travel, work, and access services across central and north-central West Virginia.
You may notice counties included here that are not traditionally labeled as “Tygart Valley” in historic or geographic definitions. This is intentional.
As economic conditions tighten and communities experience sluggish to moderate impacts from a broader downturn, counties increasingly rely on shared regional access rather than operating in isolation. Travel patterns consolidate, service access becomes critical, and municipal boundaries matter less than reliability and proximity.
This regional structure reflects current and emerging behavior — not just historical labels — to strengthen visibility, continuity, and resilience for communities across the region.
What Defines the Tygart Valley Region
The Tygart Valley region is defined by real-world behavior rather than strict county lines. It centers on shared travel corridors, service dependency, and daily movement patterns shaped by mountain geography and rural access needs.
- Routine inter-county travel for healthcare, employment, and shopping
- Limited in-county services in many rural communities
- Shared reliance on regional hubs and corridors
- Households accustomed to 30–60+ minute travel for essential needs
- Municipalities that benefit from visibility beyond local borders
Counties Within the Tygart Valley Network
The following counties are included based on observed service access, travel behavior, and regional reliance:
Why Regional Structure Matters Right Now
During periods of economic stress, communities do not contract inward — they consolidate outward. People seek fewer, closer, and more reliable service points. Counties that are digitally isolated become economically invisible.
By organizing coverage regionally, the Tygart Valley network helps ensure municipalities, businesses, nonprofits, and residents remain connected, discoverable, and supported.
Connected to the Broader West Virginia Network
Tygart Valley operates as a regional layer within the larger West Virginia business and community network. This layered structure allows counties to retain local identity while benefiting from broader visibility and shared access.