West Virginia’s Polymer Alliance Zone is growing, and that’s good news for counties along the Ohio River in desperate need of greater economic development support.

With the addition of Ohio, Marshall and Wetzel counties, the PAZ now covers ten counties along the river — from Ohio to Wayne. No economic development zone in the state is bigger.

“The addition of the three (Regional Economic Development partnership) counties is consistent with our goal to advance the core mission of PAZ, to attract new investments and foster the creation of new jobs for our citizens who live and work in West Virginia,” said Keith Burdette, president of the organization. “Josh Jefferson and his team at RED are very active and engaged as an economic development organization creating successful outcomes in the upper Ohio Valley.”

Ohio, Marshall and Wetzel counties will now benefit from national and global marketing efforts meant to bring large, good-paying employers to the region. Teaming up with the PAZ means an even greater chance to fulfill the mission of creating “new, good paying jobs and an improved quality of life by expanding the manufacturing base” in its counties.

In touting the region on its website, the PAZ boasts its counties deliver “Cost savings from an abundance of low-cost natural gas and NGLs, combined with proximity to 70% of U.S. polyethylene and 77% of U.S. polypropylene demand, (which translates) into lower delivered costs, and significant financial advantages for high-energy intensive industries.”

Here’s hoping potential employers are taking note. Up and down the Ohio Valley, there are good workers, good locations, and plenty of economic advantages. All ten PAZ counties are ready to get to work.