The forecast, prepared with assistance from the West Virginia Division of Forestry, is the third in a series of fall foliage updates the Tourism Office will release over the next few weeks. Reports will include the percentage of color change across the state and suggested travel routes through peak areas.

“Fall color is popping up all over the state,” said West Virginia Tourism Commissioner Chelsea Ruby. “While some of our higher elevations have peaked, there are still several weeks’ worth of leaf peeping ahead in southern West Virginia and the panhandles.”

Travelers are encouraged to share their favorite fall photos using #AlmostHeaven to help populate the Tourism Office’s live leaf map—available at WVtourism.com/fall.

“There are several areas of our state that still need those iconic fall photos added to the map,” said Ruby. “The live leaf map is to help travelers plan their future fall getaway or bring those along for a virtual journey through fall color, so I encourage all West Virginia fans to post your favorite fall photos of Almost Heaven.”

Travelers visiting West Virginia to see fall color are encouraged to check the status of individual businesses before taking a trip. A statewide indoor face covering requirement is in effect and visitors are encouraged to maintain a safe social distance when traveling the state.

To access the foliage forecast and fall travel inspiration, visit WVtourism.com/fall.

Fall Foliage Update

For the best views this weekend, seek out areas in north-central and eastern West Virginia, where color is between 75% and 100%, with some of the highest elevations just past peak. Warm hues are saturating the hills of Randolph County along Cheat Mountain west toward Kumbrabow State Forest and the Swiss mountain village of Helvetia, and in Webster County from Williams River in the south to Holly River State Park in the north.

Featured Country Road: W.Va. 310 in Marion County

Pops of yellow and red are beginning to show along W.Va. Route 310 from Grafton to Fairmont, making this a great weekend to get out and enjoy a scenic drive. Points of interest along this country road include Tygart Lake State Park, where you can see fall colors surrounding the 10-mile-long lake.

Head north on 310, stopping at Valley Falls State Park for a hike by the rippling waters of the Tygart Valley River. Then wrap up your leaf-peeping excursion in the city of Fairmont with a hearty Italian meal, a decadent dessert, or some history hunting.

As you travel down these fall-lined country roads, post and share photos using #AlmostHeaven. To read more about this featured road trip click here.

For fall photos along this road trip, click here.

“We have been blessed with great teamwork and talented new hires who are able to leverage federal and private sector investments,” said Belcher, a Concord University graduate who grew up in Welch. “We are on the cusp of taking our proactive economic and community development to the next level,” she said.

“How incredibly forward thinking that, 32 years ago, regional partners from Fayette, Nicholas, Raleigh, and Summers counties sat around a table and developed the first, and still largest, regional economic development authority in the state of West Virginia,” said Belcher. “I’m thrilled to continue the last three decades of regional impact across the New River Gorge region. Moving forward, NRGRDA will continue to focus on new company recruitment, business retention and expansion, and business and entrepreneurship support. NRGRDA is proud of its WV Hive program that has created more than 150 new jobs since its creation in 2016, and out of the proven needs, created the Country Roads Angel Network, that strives to connect thriving businesses with anetwork of angel investors that are ready to invest in West Virginia businesses. These programs are an integral part of the work NRGRDA is committed to across the region.”

After starting her own business at 16 years of age, Belcher was the first high school junior to ever receive the McKelvey Foundation Entrepreneurial Scholarship. After graduating from Concord University in 2009 with a B.S. in Recreation and Tourism Management with an emphasis in Event Planning and Promotions, Belcher returned to Welch to assist her family in expanding the only non-profit food pantry in McDowell County. While there, she served as Trust Systems Administrator for seven years at MCNB Bank and Trust Company.

In 2016, Belcher joined the Coalfield Development Corporation. As Chief Business Officer, Belcher worked closely with those in government, the private sector and entrepreneurs to strengthen social enterprises across Appalachia. While there, Belcher’s work in capital access and small business development organically crossed paths with NRGRDA.

In February 2019, Belcher became NRGRDA’s Director of Business Development and later transitioned into the role of Deputy Director in early 2020. Combining her previous community development skills with her background in finance and social enterprise allowed her to provide the New River Gorge region with resources and expertise needed to grow the thriving economy of Southern West Virginia. On October 19, the NRGRDA board named Belcher interim Executive Director to take the reins of the organization effective December 2020.

West Virginia TARTP grants help towns and cities build and improve sidewalks, lighting, trails, and more. The program is administered by the West Virginia Department of Transportation and funded by the Federal Highway Administration.

Earlier this year, Gov. Justice presented another round of 38 TARTP grants,worth over $7.4 million, for additional projects in 27 counties.

In total, Gov. Justice has awarded over $16 million TARTP grants this year alone to communities all across West Virginia.

The projects awarded include:

BARBOUR COUNTY
Audra State Park
$150,000
Alum Cave Overlook: Design and construction of boardwalk and overlook on existing hiking trail within Audra State Park.

BERKELEY COUNTY
Berkeley County Roundhouse Authority
$742,889
Martinsburg Roundhouse Project: Construction of Martinsburg Roundhouse and Machine Shop ADA bathrooms and fire suppression system.

City of Martinsburg
$100,000
Martinsburg North Queen Street Streetscape Project Phase 3: Design of approximately 1,675 linear feet of ADA compliant sidewalks, curb ramps, and lighting on North Queen Street.

FAYETTE COUNTY
Hatfield-McCoy Regional Recreation Authority
$150,000
Fayette County Trail System Project: Construction of approximately 75 miles of new trail within the Rimfire Trail System.

GILMER COUNTY
City of Glenville
$90,000
Glenville Sidewalk Rehabilitation Project: Construction of replacement sidewalk and ADA handrails along North Court Street in Glenville.

GREENBRIER COUNTY
Town of Rainelle
$500,000
Rainelle Main Street Streetscape Project Phase 2: Design and construction of sidewalk replacement in downtown Rainelle.

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY
Town of Romney
$100,000
Romney North High Street Sidewalk Improvements Project: Design of sidewalk replacement in downtown Romney.

HARRISON COUNTY
City of Bridgeport
$600,000
Bridgeport Community Connectivity Trail Project: Construction of approximately two miles of hiking/biking trail in Bridgeport.

City of Salem
$250,000
Salem Sidewalk Project: Design and construction of sidewalk replacement in downtown Salem.

JEFFERSON COUNTY
City of Charles Town
$700,000
Charles Town Augustine Trail Project Phase 2: Construction of approximately 1.1 miles of hiking/biking trail facilities.

Corporation of Shepherdstown
$500,000
Shepherdstown Path Project: Construction of approximately 0.5 miles of walking path along the west side of Route 480 in Shepherdstown.

KANAWHA COUNTY
Kanawha County Commission
$187,500
Elk River Rail Trail Clendenin Trailhead: Design and construction of the Clendenin trailhead along the Elk River Rail Trail.

Town of Marmet
$50,000
Marmet Lens Creek Road Pedestrian Safety Improvements Project: Design of pedestrian path to connect the Town and school to Kroger.

LINCOLN COUNTY
Hatfield-McCoy Regional Recreation Authority
$100,000
Ivy Branch Trail System Maintenance Project: Maintenance on approximately 80 miles of existing motorized trail within the Ivy Branch Trail system.

MARION COUNTY
City of Pleasant Valley
$162,000
Pleasant Valley Sidewalk Project Phase 4: Construction of sidewalk, drainage, curb, gutter, and sidewalk south of Landing Lane along Pleasant Valley Road.

City of Pleasant Valley
$185,000
Pleasant Valley Sidewalk Project Phase 5: Construction of sidewalk, drainage, curb, gutter, and sidewalk on Tulip Lane along pleasant Valley Road.

MCDOWELL COUNTY
Hatfield-McCoy Regional Recreation Authority
$100,000
Warrior Trail System Maintenance Project: Maintenance on approximately 100 miles of existing motorized trail within the Warrior Trail system.

Town of Bradshaw
$40,000
Bradshaw Sidewalks Project: Construction of replacement sidewalks in the Town of Bradshaw.

Town of Iaeger
$75,000
Iaeger Sidewalk Repair and Rehabilitation Project: Construction of replacement sidewalks in Iaeger.

MERCER COUNTY
Town of Athens
$46,875
Athens Sidewalk Project: Design of replacement sidewalks within the Town of Athens.

MONONGALIA COUNTY
City of Morgantown
$480,000
Morgantown Pleasant Street Streetscape Project: Construction of ADA compliant sidewalks and lighting on Pleasant Street in Morgantown.

City of Morgantown
$100,000
Morgantown Municipal Airport Streetscape Project: Design of new ADA compliant sidewalks on Hart Field Road and ADA compliant sidewalk connection from terminal to administration building.

MORGAN COUNTY
Town of Bath
$93,750
Bath Streetscape Design 2 Project: Design of ADA compliant sidewalks on the east side of South Washington Street and Wilkes Street.

Cacapon Resort State Park Foundation
$150,000
Cacapon State Park Mountain Bike Uphill Trail To Mountain Top Project: Construction of approximately five miles of bike trail within Cacapon State Park.

NICHOLAS COUNTY
City of Richwood
$400,000
Richwood City Sidewalks Project: Construction of replacement sidewalks on the North Side of downtown Richwood.

City of Summersville
$63,000
Summersville Webster Road Sidewalk Improvements Project: Design of new sidewalk along the west side of Webster Road in Summersville.
OHIO COUNTYVillage of Bethlehem$50,000Village of Bethlehem Community Park Trail Project: Design and construction of approximately 1,000 feet of hiking trail within the Village of Bethlehem Community Park.
City of Wheeling$240,864Wheeling Robrecht Riverfront Park Project: Design of 0.46 miles of pedestrian and trail facilities at the Riverfront Park.
Wheeling Park Commission$152,000Oglebay Trails Maintenance & Repair Project: Design and construction of repairs and maintenance to existing hiking trails within Oglebay Park.
POCAHONTAS COUNTY
U.S. Forest Service / Pocahontas Trails – Monongahela National Forest
$187,500
Cheat Mountain South Mower – Snowshoe Connector Project: Construction of approximately six miles of bike and hiking trail and six miles of connecting trail between Snowshoe and the Monongahela National Forest.

PRESTON COUNTY
Town of Bruceton Mills
$50,000
Bruceton Mills Sidewalk Project: Design of replacement sidewalks along Union Street in the Town of Bruceton Mills.

PUTNAM COUNTY
Town of Buffalo
$75,000
Buffalo Sidewalk Project: Design of ADA sidewalk on Main Street from Buffalo High to Elm Road.

Town of Eleanor
$75,000
Eleanor Park Sidewalk Extension Project: Design of new sidewalks in Eleanor park, pool, and fairgrounds.

City of Winfield
$125,000
Winfield Sidewalk System Project: Design of sidewalks within the City of Winfield.

RANDOLPH COUNTY
Monongalia National Forest
$187,500
Cheat Mountain North Mower Phase 2: Construction of approximately six miles of bike and hiking trail near Cheat Bridge within the Monongahela National Forest.

RITCHIE COUNTY
Town of Harrisville
$100,000
Harrisville Sidewalk Improvements Project Phase 4: Design of approximately 2,355 linear feet of sidewalk along Main Street in Harrisville.

SUMMERS COUNTY
City of Hinton
$40,000
Hinton Sidewalk Project: Design of sidewalks within the City of Hinton.

TUCKER COUNTYCity of Parsons$180,500Corricks Ford Battlefield Park Development Project: Construction of new hiking and bike trail and access points to the Allegheny Highlands Trail.
City of Thomas
$110,000
Thomas Riverfront Bridge Project: Construction of pedestrian/biking bridge in Thomas.

Friends of Blackwater
$125,000
Blackwater Loop Trail Improvements and Interpretive Signage: Design and construction of trailheads in Davis City Park and Blackwater Falls State Park both along the eight miles of Blackwater Loop Trail.

UPSHUR COUNTY
City of Buckhannon
$240,785
Buckhannon Elizabeth J. “Binky” Poundstone Riverwalk Trail #4 Project: Construction of approximately 1,930 feet of ADA accessible asphalt hiking and biking trail.

WAYNE COUNTY
Hatfield-McCoy Regional Recreation Authority
$100,000
East Lynn Trail System Maintenance Project: Maintenance on approximately 80 miles of existing motorized trail within the East Lynn Trail system.
WETZEL COUNTYCity of New Martinsville$11,590New Martinsville Bike Path Extension Project: Design of an extension of the New Martinsville Bike Path.
WIRT COUNTY
Town of Elizabeth
$182,000
Elizabeth Sidewalk Improvements Project Phase 5: Design and construction of 920 linear feet of replacement sidewalk along School Street and Franklin Street in Elizabeth.

WOOD COUNTY
City of Parkersburg
$100,000
Parkersburg St. Mary’s/Dudley Ave. Streetscape Enhancement Project: Design of streetscape enhancement on the St. Mary’s/Dudley Avenue Corridor.

City of Pennsboro
$100,000
Pennsboro Sidewalk Improvements Project Phase 2: Construction of approximately 1,000 linear feet of sidewalk along Mountain Drive.

City of Williamstown
$100,000
Williamstown Sidewalk Improvements Project Phase 3: Design and construction of replacement sidewalks along the street surrounding the new Williamstown Elementary School. ​
——————–
Click to view projects by region:

• North Central West Virginia: $3.0 million for 15 projects
• Eastern Panhandle: $2.3 million for seven projects
• Metro Valley: $1.6 million for 12 projects
• Northern Panhandle: $454,000 for four projects
• Southern Coalfields: $389,000 for five projects
• Town of Rainelle: $500,000 for one project
• Wood County: $300,000 for three projects

The Mammoth Preserve in Kanawha County will offer mountain biking, hiking trails and other amenities. A coalition of environmental groups sued the Alpha Natural Resources mining company more than 10 years ago over selenium discharge that contaminated nearby waters.

Cindy Rank is the chair of the mining committee at the West Virginia Highlands Conservancy, one of the groups involved in the court case. She said Alpha agreed to transfer the land to correct the pollution problems.

“I just hope that people see these as positive outcomes of what are normally seen as negative actions, like taking people to court or even suing them,” said Rank. “And sometimes there are good things that come out.”

The 5,000-acre plot of land is part of the old Cannelton mines and is being developed by the West Virginia Land Trust and the Appalachian Headwaters. The Trust will manage the preserve for wildlife habitat, water protection and recreation access.

Rank said the preserve represents a new approach to restoring land polluted by former coal mines. She pointed out that in the past, mines would be abandoned and the land left deserted without a way for new growth to return.

Now the Trust will dig up the area and plant new vegetation.

“This is returning pre-mined land to some of the healthier hardwood forests that have existed in that area before,” said Rank. “And in turn, that improvement in the reclamation also improves the drainage, and that helps the water and the streams in the area.”

Rank said the site will be a boost for the local tourism industry. In the future, she said, West Virginians in the area won’t have to drive for hours to hike and bike and enjoy nature.

The 58th edition of the arts and crafts show, considered the granddaddy of shows in West Virginia, is held over the July 4 holidays. The show will be held July 1-4, 2021 at Cedar Lakes Conference Center near Ripley.

Postponement of this year’s fair was deemed necessary due to concerns about the coronavirus involving large gatherings, according to board President Jean Smith. The decision was made with the safety of participants and guests in mind, Smith said.

“Our Board sincerely believes postponing until 2021 is the right decision for the safety of everyone involved,” Smith said. “We’ve already started discussions about the 2021 Fair.”

More than 20 volunteers serving on the Fair’s Board of Directors came to that conclusion after reaching out to more than 50 participating artisans and exhibitors, Smith said.

A recent study prepared by Dean Runyan and Associates, a leading national firm for tourism economic research, reveals that West Virginia’s tourism industry grew for the second consecutive year in 2018, climbing 6.5% and creating a $4.55 billion industry in 2018. Justice claims this two-year growth trend reverses years of decline and outpaces national growth by 58%.

The purpose of this specific study was to document the economic significance of the travel industry in West Virginia from 2000 to 2018. These findings show the level of travel spending by visitors traveling to and within the state and the impact this spending had on the economy in terms of earnings, employment and tax revenue.

“It’s an incredible time to be a West Virginian. This state is on the move, and so is our tourism industry,” Justice said. “When I took office, I made tourism a top priority because I knew it had all the potential in the world. All we had to do is find a way to tell our story, and we’re finally doing it.”

The study shows that travel impacts, in absolute terms, are highest in the state’s Eastern Panhandle (Berkeley, Jefferson and Morgan counties), just a short distance from Washington, D.C., and Baltimore. The area offers visitors a variety of historic sites and attractions, including Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, Berkeley Springs State Park and Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races. That particular region brings in around $1 billion in total direct travel spending — nearly a half-million more than any other region in the state.

According to the study, traveler spending in West Virginia has grown 9.9% in just two years under the Justice administration. Other key industry markers, including state and local tax revenue and tourism-supported jobs, were also up in 2018.

Travel spending by all overnight and day visitors in West Virginia grew for the second consecutive year after four years of decline, increasing by nearly 10% since Justice took office two years ago. In the 2018 calendar year, travel spending was $4.6 billion, compared to $4.3 billion in 2017.

Twenty-two percent of that spending ($1,025,600,000) occurred in the Eastern Panhandle region of the state. The next wealthiest region was the Northern Panhandle, where just over 700 million travel-related dollars were spent.

It is also notable that the size of the travel industry in relation to the total economy of a locale is significant in a number of smaller communities and rural areas of the state, which tend to be more oriented to scenic and outdoor recreational opportunities. The success of outdoor tourism in those areas isn’t reflected accurately in the results of the study, however.

Tourism Commissioner Chelsea Ruby said because this was a tax-based study, things like gaming and lodging show up as successes, but since outdoor tourism doesn’t have a tax tag attached to it, those numbers won’t show how well that aspect of the industry is actually doing.

“What they did for this study was go to each county and survey each area about where money was being spent in relation to tourism. The reason the report shows gaming numbers and doesn’t reflect the success of our outdoor tourism is because gaming has a tax associated with it,” Ruby said.

Approximately two-thirds of all travel-generated government revenue accrues to state government in West Virginia. State taxes include the 6% state sales tax, the motor fuel tax, income taxes on travel-generated earnings and travel-related business income, and state revenue generated through racetrack video lottery and wagering. Local taxes consist of the Hotel/Motel Occupancy Tax and the Business & Occupation Tax, levied by municipal governments in West Virginia.

“The study results detail the overall economic impact of tourism but doesn’t show you what people are doing while they’re here,” Ruby said. “These results are based solely on tax data. We’ve done other studies about why people are coming to our state, and those clearly show that outdoor recreation is the No. 2 reason people are coming in.”

She said the top reason people visit the state is “general tourism,” which simply means people are coming to explore an area they didn’t know much about before, but regardless of why they’re coming in, they’re still spending money. Ruby added that the administration truly believes that outdoor recreation is a strong part of the overall industry in the state.

In response to the study results touted by Justice, Republican candidate for governor Woody Thrasher contends the Dean Runyan and Associates study doesn’t tell the whole story.

“Things may look rosy at The Greenbrier, but one of our four major ski resorts closed this year. That doesn’t indicate a strong, thriving industry,” Thrasher said. “A full-time governor would be looking at all the available data and indicators to make proactive decisions with long-term, positive effects.”

Thrasher pointed to a second study conducted by the U.S. Department of Commerce Bureau of Economic Analysis, claiming it told the real story about the state of tourism in West Virginia, in that both the arts, entertainment and recreation and the accommodations and food sectors showed declines as contributors to West Virginia’s GDP (Gross Domestic Product) from the fourth quarter of 2018 to the first quarter of 2019.

The findings identify those two categories as having a negative impact (minus 0.02% and minus 0.13%, respectively) on the state’s earnings, albeit minute in the larger economic picture.

The agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting category was also highlighted as having one of the largest declines in relation to the GDP at minus 0.18%. Retail trade was listed as a major contributor for growth, with nearly a 1% increase (.9%) from the final quarter of 2018 to the first quarter of 2019.

The findings from Dean Runyan and Associates also reveal that only four of the state’s 55 counties had greater than 5% of their total earnings come from travel-related spending, while 35 counties saw that number drop at or below 2%.

Travel-generated earnings in Boone, Jackson, Marshall, Pleasants and Putnam counties accounted for less than a percent of each county’s total earnings for 2018. The state’s most successful counties are Pocahontas (18.9%), Jefferson (18.9%) and Greenbrier (14.2%).

There’s still quite a bit of room for growth for the tourism industry in the Mountain State, and Ruby said the Tourism office hopes to keep thinking of new ways to change the way people see West Virginia from the outside. Oftentimes that means going back to the same mentality they began with in 2016.

“People aren’t coming to West Virginia because they aren’t thinking of us as a tourism destination. If we want even more growth, it’s important that we change that,” Ruby said. “But what we do know right now is that not only are we seeing growth within (West Virginia), but we’re coming in stronger than states that surround us.”

CHARLESTON, WV. (Jan. 6, 2020) – Fifty West Virginia destinations, businesses, people and events have been recognized as the “Best of the Blue Ridge” in Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine’s 2020 “Best of the Blue Ridge” readers’ choice awards.

“These awards affirm that travelers really do see West Virginia as Almost Heaven,” Tourism Commissioner Chelsea Ruby said. “These folks love West Virginia and it shows through the work they do each and every day. Congratulations to all of our West Virginia recipients.”

Several West Virginia attractions placed in outdoor categories, including best paddling river, best biking trail, best waterfall and best running trail.

Many West Virginia restaurants and breweries also placed, with West Virginia businesses winning titles for best ice cream, best food truck, best BBQ, best brewery and best distillery.

“Whether travelers come to West Virginia for outdoor escapes or incredible events, they will find so much more,” Ruby said. “With wonderful recreation opportunities complemented by great people, there is no doubt that West Virginia is quickly becoming a top tourism destination.”

More than 30 thousand readers voted in the poll, which placed 50 West Virginia attractions at the top of their lists in the Blue Ridge Mountains, a region that includes nine states and the D.C. area.

In addition to the 50 winners, many West Virginia attractions placed as second or third runners-up. West Virginia winners include:

• Best Paddling River- New River
• Best Biking Trail– Arrowhead Trails
• Best Pet-Friendly Adventure– Arrowhead Bike Farm
• Best Place for Outdoor Singles– Fayetteville
• Best Ice Cream- The Stache
• Best Food Truck- Riverchick Farms, Fayetteville
• Best Pizza-Pies and Pints
• Best BBQ- Firecreek BBQ & Steaks
• Best Farmers Market-Fayette County Farmers Market
• Best Beer- Devil Anse IPA from Greenbrier Valley Brewing
• Best Non-Alcoholic Bev- Zoey Crush from Wood Iron Eatery
• Best Brewery- Bridge Brew Works
• Best Paddling Event- Captain Thurmond’s Challenge
• Best Triathlon- Captain Thurmond’s Challenge
• Best Climbing Event- New River Craggin’ Classic
• Best Retreat- Wanderlust at Snowshoe Resort
• Best Brewer- Nathan Herrold, Bridge Brew Works
• Best Food Personality- Lewis Rhinehart, Secret Sandwich Society
• Best Camp- Camp Drift-a-Bit
• Best Yoga Studio- New River Yoga
• Best Outdoors Shop- Waterstone
• Best Climbing Guide Company- New River Mountain Guides
• Best Raft Company- Adventures on the Gorge
• Best Zip Line- Adventures on the Gorge
• Best Flatwater- Summersville Lake
• Best Mud Run- Gritty Chix Mud Run, ACE
• Best Kid Friendly Adventure-ACE
• Best Fishing Spot- New River
• Best Educational Outdoor Rec Program- WVU Tech Adventure Recreation Management
• Best Swimming Hole- Glade Creek, New River Gorge
• Best Vegetarian Restaurant- The Wild Bean
• Best Spirit- Big Level from Smooth Ambler Spirits
• Best Distillery- Smooth Ambler Spirits
• Best Running Trail- Greenbrier River Trail
• Best Burrito– Burrito Bar, Lansing WV
• Best Waterfall– Blackwater Falls
• Best Climbing Crag– Seneca Rocks
• Best Ski Resort– Snowshoe Resort
• Best Snowboarding Park– Snowshoe Resort
• Best Ski Run– Cupp Run, Snowshoe Resort
• Best Mind Body Studio– Gaia Den
• Best Spa– Berkeley Springs Spa
• Best Running Event (Over 13.1 Miles)– Freedom’s Run, Harpers Ferry
• Best Running Event (Under 13.1 Miles)– Sticks & Stones 15K Trail Race, Babcock
• Weirdest Event– WV Roadkill Cook-Off
• Rowdiest Festival– Gauley Fest
• Best Budget Friendly Lodging– Buffalo Trails Cabins
• Best Raft Guide– Nick “Nugget” Parsons, ACE Adventure Resort
• Adventurer of the Year– Will Horton, Princeton
• Best Musician/Band– The Kind Thieves

To review a complete list of winners, click here.

For more information about West Virginia and to plan your trip, visit www.WVtourism.com.