MARTINSBURG, W.Va – With businesses around the world feeling the effects of tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, one West Virginia county is looking toward a future that benefits from the White House’s America First Trade Policy.
Berkeley County is one of the state’s fastest-growing counties in terms of business development and one of its only growing counties in terms of population. According to Berkeley County Development Authority executive director Jennifer Smith, her office is starting to hear from companies that want to bring production to the Eastern Panhandle and avoid the cost that could come with tariffs.
“There’s a lot of interest because the stricter ‘made in America’ rules that will be in place, as well as the tariffs—a lot of it is used for many different products, and they’re looking to locate their business here because of it,” she said.
Smith said that at least three companies are currently looking to bring business to Berkeley County, with the majority of inquiries coming from the aluminum industry, which faces a 50% tariff on imports. Her projections show that an important injection of jobs could come alongside.
“We’re looking per job, or per company, at least 120 new jobs,” she said.
Data released by the US Census Bureau in 2024 showed more than 54,000 households in Berkeley County, which continues to expand thanks in large part to its proximity to the Washington, DC metro area and Loudoun County, Virginia. Smith said the area has the manpower to take on these projects.
“We are expanding, and there is definitely job growth and individuals locating here in the Eastern Panhandle, so we do have the workforce available,” she said.
As opportunities continue to come to Berkeley County, Smith said her office’s focus is set on making sure incoming businesses are the right fit and bring good-paying jobs to the area.