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Regional Market Definition • I-64 Corridor

Kanawha Valley Tri-State Marketplace

A shared regional market shaped by daily commuting, shopping patterns, healthcare access, and cross-border travel along the Interstate 64 corridor.

Regional Overview

The Kanawha Valley Tri-State region functions as a unified marketplace centered on the I-64 corridor, connecting population centers, employment hubs, healthcare, and retail destinations across West Virginia and nearby border communities.

Residents routinely travel east and west along I-64 and its feeder routes for work, shopping, medical care, education, and services, making this region a natural economic and community unit.

Demographic & Economic Context

  • Mix of urban, suburban, and rural households
  • Strong reliance on regional hubs for healthcare and specialty services
  • High concentration of locally owned businesses and nonprofits
  • Regular cross-county and cross-state travel for employment and commerce
  • Households accustomed to 30–60 minute drive times along the I-64 corridor

Primary Cities & Communities Served

This marketplace includes communities that consistently interact through commuting, service use, and regional travel:

  • Charleston
  • South Charleston
  • Dunbar
  • Nitro
  • St. Albans
  • Hurricane
  • Teays Valley
  • Milton
  • Barboursville
  • Huntington
  • Ashland, KY
  • Ironton, OH

Counties & Feeder Market Reach

This region includes core I-64 corridor counties and feeder areas whose residents routinely travel into the Kanawha Valley for employment, healthcare, commerce, and regional services.

Who This Market Serves

Regional Businesses & Service Providers

Businesses drawing customers from across county and state lines along the I-64 corridor.

Nonprofits, Healthcare & Community Organizations

Organizations serving populations that span multiple counties and states.

Households & Commuters

Residents who routinely travel the corridor for work, shopping, services, and events.

Directory Coverage for This Region

Directory listings reflect how the Kanawha Valley Tri-State actually functions — connecting businesses, nonprofits, causes, events, and barter opportunities to the people who already travel this regional network.

Administrative Note

Market regions are defined by observed travel behavior and service access. They are informational in nature and do not replace municipal, county, or state jurisdictions.

Market definitions based on real-world commuting and regional travel behavior