Types of Businesses
Fueling Small Business Growth
Companies employ residents at all stages of the industry – logging, hauling, milling, mulch and high quality finish product. With well managed forest plans and proximity to Eastern byways and markets, eligibility for Hubzone priority for government contracting and New Market Tax Credits – Hampshire County is a key player in wood product manufacturing.
The economy in Hampshire County is driven by a multi-product agricultural industry inclusive of crops, fruit, meat, eggs, timber and most recently distilled product, ranking Hampshire in the top 10th percentile in WV on all products. The total acres farmed in Hampshire exceed over 400,000 with an estimated 800 active farms in production within the county. Hampshire County takes much pride in the responsible use of it’s natural resources resulting in a sustainable and growing agri-economy.
The first commercial fruit orchard in Hampshire County began in 1890 and today Hampshire is the center of the fruit industry in West Virginia.
Hampshire County’s location and proximity to Eastern market areas along with excellent transportation and shipping capability positions the county well for light manufacturing/industry, technology centers, back-fill operation and distribution business and government partners.
Hampshire County is home to Romney Cycles Inc, the number 1 Suzuki dealership in the United States. (Direct Answer, Romney Cycle) and Entrepreneur Business Development (included pics of- SarahK Events – Gina’s Soft Cloth Shop – Teresa Dillons – new boutique – Andersons Corner, lost Mountain BBQ?
Sarah K Events was created by Rebecca and Sarah Hott who saw a need in Hampshire County. This need was that brides and their families in our area, are not actually enjoying their wedding. They are stressed, and tired. Their goal is for the planning and the actual day of the wedding to be as stress free as possible. They believe that every bride deserves a dream wedding no matter the budget. They also love to make it easier for businesses to celebrate with their employees by planning and decorating their Christmas parties and picnics. Sarah K Events wants everyone to enjoy their own event, and they accomplish this by getting to know their client’s vision and executing this. All events should look effortless and glamorous, and Sarah K Events is here to do just that.
“Many people had doubts when we first started our event planning business in Hampshire County; thinking we would never have enough clients to keep us in business – fortunately those people were wrong. Every bride deserves a dream wedding no matter the budget! We plan, decorate and coordinate weddings as well as corporate events. All events should look effortless and glamorous, and Sarah K Events is here to do just that!”
Sarah Hott
Owner of Sarah K Events
Gina Jordan, co-owner of Gina’ Soft Cloth Shop: “I think Hampshire County is a great place, we love the small town of Romney. We love being on Main Street and being in this historic building we’re in. We like serving community here and we did different things before COVID, under normal times. For example, we taught 4 year old kindergartners how to sew aprons during a clothing segment. That was a lot of fun. They get a kick out of realizing ‘wow, someone can make this! I can make this!’ we get a big kick out of that. We do sell internationally right here from little Romney. It’s nice to have community support and it’s nice to be able to employ people that enjoy working for you, it’s hard to find.”
Victoria Kesner, co-owner of Gina’s Soft Cloth Shop: “We also did a prom dress event. Doing something like that, you can see how we are in a small town. A lot of people came together. We had a lot of volunteers, a lot of donations, and a lot of people gave us their clothing racks and more. That was really nice.”
Hampshire County Development Authority
91 South High Street
Romney, WV 26757