Region 6 - West Virginia Department of Commerce

Community ProfilesRegion 4 -New River/Greenbrier ValleyCounties: Fayette, Greenbrier, McDowell, Mercer, Monroe,Raleigh, Summers, WyomingProfileStrung along the Eastern Continental Divide, spectacular scenery is the first, last, and middle name of this region. The New River(a misnomer for this approximately 65 million year-old river) cuts through nearly impenetrable wooded mountains creating 1000-footgorges often dotted with coke furnaces cut into the rock side. The river is foaming with internationally acclaimed whitewater exploitedby an extensive rafting industry and crossed by the world’s second longest single arch steel span bridge (New River Gorge Bridge),from which once a year hundreds of fixed base jumpers hurl themselves into the river rapids 876 feet below. There are pristine drivespast semi-ruins of 19th century spas, aerial trams and jet boats, and untouched century-old railroad towns like Thurmond, used bycritically acclaimed director John Sayles to shoot “Matewan”. There are more than a dozen simple “hometowns”, including intact,historic Lewisburg, which is nestled in the heart of a beautiful bluegrass plateau 2,000 feet above sea level. Underground settingsinclude two huge commercial cave complexes and the famed bunker at The Greenbrier, which was constructed and kept secret for 40years as a post-apocalyptic getaway for Members of Congress. There are coal towns, coal mines, coal tipples, coal camps, andcompany stores in hidden hollows; railroads, rail trails, twisting rivers, and twistier roads; picturesque grist mills, waterfalls, horsefarms, and the historic Alderson Federal Prison Camp. The region offers an abundance of arts, crafts, cuisine, and indoor andoutdoor sports and recreational activities.Connector Cities from Beckley: Washington, D.C.-300 miles; Charlotte-207 miles; Roanoke-252 miles33