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Regional Market Definition • East–West Connector

US-50 East–West Connector Marketplace

A regional market shaped by east–west travel, service access, commerce, and workforce movement along the U.S. Route 50 corridor across West Virginia and neighboring feeder communities.

Regional Overview

The US-50 corridor functions as a vital east–west connector linking Northern, Central, and Eastern West Virginia. Communities along this route rely on shared access to employment, healthcare, education, courts, retail, and regional services.

Rather than a single hub, this marketplace operates as a chain of connected towns and service centers where travel patterns follow the corridor for practical access across counties and regions.

Demographic & Economic Context

  • Mix of rural communities and small regional service towns
  • High dependence on corridor travel for essential services
  • Locally owned businesses serving multi-county populations
  • Regular east–west workforce and service movement
  • Households accustomed to longer drive times for access and opportunity

Primary Cities & Communities Served

This marketplace includes communities that interact through consistent east–west travel along the US-50 corridor:

  • Parkersburg
  • Clarksburg
  • Bridgeport
  • Grafton
  • Weston
  • Romney
  • Keyser
  • Belpre, OH
  • Marietta, OH
  • Cumberland, MD

Counties & Feeder Market Reach

This region includes counties directly served by US-50 and feeder areas whose residents routinely travel the corridor for employment, services, commerce, and regional access.

Who This Market Serves

Local & Regional Businesses

Businesses serving customers who travel east–west for services and commerce.

Nonprofits & Community Organizations

Organizations operating across counties linked by corridor travel.

Households & Residents

Residents seeking trusted options within a realistic east–west driving radius.

Directory Coverage for This Region

Directory listings reflect how the US-50 corridor actually functions — connecting businesses, nonprofits, causes, events, and barter opportunities along a shared east–west travel 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 east–west travel and service-access behavior