Goodwin, Farrell and Joyce talk development and retention in WV cities at business summit
August 27, 2025
WHITE SULPHER SPRINGS, W.Va. — Charleston Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin, Huntington Mayor Patrick Farrell, and Parkersburg Mayor Tom Joyce all took the stage for day one of the 2025 West Virginia Chamber Business Summit at the Greenbrier Resort Wednesday.
One of the topics the three mayors discussed was retention within their respective cities.
Goodwin says popular events like the Sternwheel Regatta and USA Cycling Pro Road National Championships bring in millions in economic impact on a yearly basis, but keeping people happy in the long run depends on other factors.
“It’s more than just the Regatta,” Goodwin said. “The Regatta is important. USA Cycling is important, but the crucks of why we do it is to make sure that we are playing our part in generating state and national attention about West Virginia and all that we have to offer.”
She says those looking to move to the Capital City want what’s best for a family.
“When we speak to people that are coming in to work at the hospital or a law firm, the first questions they ask of me when we go out to supper is, ‘What’s in it for my family? What type of park system do you have? What kind of education system do you have?” Goodwin said. “It’s not just about hosting the events that bring in a great return on investment, it is creating strategic infrastructure investments to make sure when your family is living in Charleston or Huntington or Parkersburg, there’s something great for them as well.”
Joyce agrees that fun events are a great treat for residents and a good way to bring in revenue, but locals want to be able to enjoy their everyday lives.
“All those events are wonderful, and we try to do that, but what I have focused on in eight and a half years is the infrastructure because it was largely neglected in Parkersburg, not because nobody cared, but it’s expensive,” Joyce said. “Water and sewer is not getting any cheaper. Paving roads is not getting any cheaper.”
He says they’ve made many parts of Parkersburg more kid friendly.
What we’ve done is invest in our parks and good swimming pools,” Joyce said.
Farrell’s first bit of insight focused on development and growth within Huntington. Farrell told a story of when he moved back to West Virginia nearly 20 years ago and lived off the Jerry Dove Drive exit on I-79 in Bridgeport.
He said there was just a hotel and gas station at the intersection off the exit when he and his wife first made the move. Since then, there has been $700 million of capital investment and around 3,000 brought to the area through the FBI buildings, WVU Medicine buildings, and other businesses.
“That feeling of growth I experience there in Bridgeport is what I feel now in Huntington,” Farrell said. “For those of you that drive by and see empty fields right now on 4th Avenue, very soon we’re going to break ground on the Institute for Cybersecurity. When you look up at our airport and you see an abandoned runway, you’re going to new growth there. You’re going to see our Advanced Manufacuring Center and our Robotics Training Center get build, all this in partnership with Marshall University.
“We know that businesses want access to research and talent and we have it,” he continued.
Like Goodwin and Joyce, Farrell knows long-term residents need services and facilities to make the living experience good. He says Huntington is doing that with a new water plant.
“It may not be sexy but we’re building a $250 million wastewater treatment plant. $250 million is going to be invested into the west end of our town, and that’s going to produce growth.
Farrell also used the chance to address business owners make a pitch to those looking to build.
“I need more people to help because the city can’t do it alone. I need a partnership with the county and the state legislature and our federal partners to come in,” Farrell said. “I need the business community. If you want to build something, come to Huntington because I need housing. Businesses now go to where the workers are, and the workers go to where they can find housing.”
Story by Aaron Parker, MetroNews