Amazon Brings 800 Jobs to West Virginia at $19/Hour

Amazon flipped the switch on two new distribution centers in Beaver and Davisville, West Virginia, bringing 800 jobs and fresh economic hope to communities that have fought hard to attract major employers.

The facilities start workers at $19 per hour with opportunities for advancement. For southern West Virginia, where good-paying jobs have been scarce, local leaders see the opening as proof that years of strategic investment are paying off.

"We can tell our kids and our grandkids, 'yes, there are going to be really good job opportunities in West Virginia,'" said Governor Patrick Morrisey at the ribbon cutting.

The Amazon investment didn't happen by accident. State and local officials spent years building infrastructure like the Beckley Z-Way and promoting the region's crown jewel, the New River Gorge National Park. Those foundational wins created the conditions that made West Virginia attractive to a major employer.

The Ripple Effect

The new facilities will touch far more lives than just the workers who clock in each day. State Treasurer Larry Pack pointed to the ripple effect already starting to spread through Raleigh and Wood Counties.

Property tax revenues will increase, strengthening funding for schools and county services. Local businesses will see more customers with steady paychecks. Families will gain the stability that comes with reliable employment and benefits.

"You think about good paying jobs, you think about what that means for families," Pack said. "And what it does for the property tax base and how it's going to help the school systems and the county commissions."

Jina Belcher, executive director of the New River Gorge Regional Development Authority, called the project an example of what's possible when local partnerships and strategic planning come together. The announcement shows that Southern West Virginia is ready to compete for major investments.

Amazon has now invested more than $470 million in West Virginia since 2010, including infrastructure and employee compensation. The company has contributed more than $310 million to the state's economy through those investments.

Ashley Cavender, who leads the Beaver facility, said Amazon believes in delivering not just for customers but for employees too, which is why the company offers competitive wages and career growth opportunities.

These aren't just warehouses going up in Appalachia—they're signs that strategic investment in infrastructure and community can transform regional economies and create real opportunity where it's needed most.