Pleasants County sees business uptick in August

Heather Straight is a Pleasants County native, but, until recently, here medical practice was located in Vienna.

This past summer, she relocated to St. Marys-and she believes other businesses are starting to do as well.

"I think that's highlighted by many of our local businesses who have been here and found success for many, many years," Dr. Straight tells us, "as well as those who look to Pleasants County as a place to establish business. Wonderful people, wonderful community; very willing to support local business."

Through WVU Medicine, her local office offers imaging and lab services previously unavailable in Pleasants County.

"It's very important for the people of Pleasants County to have access to quality care that is convenient for them."

The county was just recognized by the West Virginia Secretary of State's office, for leading the state in new business growth for the month of August.

Specifically, it measures the growth in the number of new businesses registering to operate there.

While the openings in recent months have mainly been for smaller businesses, community leaders have hopes for perhaps bigger businesses coming to the area.

"We're looking for a motel to come to Pleasants County, we're looking for another family restaurant to land here," Jay Powell, President, Pleasants County Commission, says hopefully. "We're working to get more and more businesses to come here, and we're looking to win this award many times over."

Pleasants County had a 3.64% increase in business registrations during the month of August.