Business Overview

Local businesses cite lower labor costs, a trained and dedicated workforce and a well-connected transportation system among the many reasons to locate in the Shenandoah Valley. Pro-business state and local government initiatives add to the competitive advantages of doing business in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.

Government Structure and Taxes >>

Virginia is a Right-To-Work State

Right-To-Work States Economic Analysis 1970-2000

• Employment grew almost 1 percent faster each year, on average, in RTW states.
• Manufacturing employment grew 1.7 percent faster in RTW states. Right-to-work states created 1.43 million manufacturing jobs, while non-RTW states lost 2.18 million manufacturing jobs.
• Construction employment grew 1 percent faster each year, on average, in RTW states.
• Per-capita disposable income was 0.2 percent higher, on average, in RTW states.

Source: Excerpt from The Effect of Right-to-Work State on Economic Development
By William T. Wilson, Ph.D. (Macinac Center for Public Policy)

Top Employers

• James Madison University
• Wal Mart
• RMH Healthcare
• Augusta Health
• Cargill, Inc.
• Lees Carpets (a division of Mowhawk Industries, Inc.)
• McKee Foods Corporation
• Merck & Company, Inc.
• Target Distribution
• Washington & Lee University
• Hershey Chocolate, Inc.
• R R Donnelley & Sons
• Pilgrim's Pride
• Perdue Products, Inc.
• Marshalls Distribution
• Great Eastern Resort
• Tenneco Automotive
• Virginia Military Institute
• Virginia Poultry Growers Cooperative  
• Hollister, Inc.
• MillerCoors - Shenandoah Brewery
• McQuay Incorporated
• Tyson Farms, Inc.
• George's Chicken
• IAC Strasburg LLC
• Rosetta Stone
• Eastern Mennonite University
• Sunnyside Presbyterian Home
• Riddleberger Brothers Inc.
• Mary Baldwin College
• Sysco Food Services
• Valley Health System
• Howell Metal Company
• Ply Gem

(Source: Virginia Employment Labor Market Labor Market Information, Local Workforce Investment Area IV)

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