For generations, one of Clay County’s greatest challenges has been watching young families leave in search of opportunity elsewhere. Census data show the county’s population has declined by nearly 21% over the past 20 years, driven largely by an aging population and the out-migration of younger generations. Dylan and Amber Miller’s story takes a different path.
In 2020, with three young boys under the age of 3, the Millers packed everything they owned into a rented Penske truck and drove from Jacksonville, Florida, to a piece of family land tucked into the hills of Clay County.
Today, they are raising four boys and a girl, and putting down roots they hope will last for generations. Dylan leads the West Virginia division of Blue Peaks Roofing, volunteers with the Lizemores Volunteer Fire Department, coaches youth sports, and serves as president of the Clay County Little League.
Looking back, he says it was one of the best decisions they have ever made.
Before moving to Clay County, Dylan worked for a Florida based general contractor specializing in light-gauge steel construction. His job involved designing steel framing systems, coordinating between architects and engineers, and managing insurance restoration claims. Professionally, life was going well in Jacksonville.
But as their family grew, Dylan and Amber found themselves asking a different question: What kind of life did they want for their children?
“I grew up in a small town in northern Indiana,” Dylan said. “Amber was born in Knotts Island, North Carolina. We both understood the value of growing up where kids could spend their days outside, where neighbors knew one another, and where hard work and community still meant something. We just didn’t know exactly where that place would be.”
The answer came during a phone call from Amber’s brother, Bo. “We’ve got family land up here. Why don’t you build a house?”
Within a month, the Millers were headed to West Virginia.
Amber’s family has owned the property in southern Clay County for generations. She spent much of her childhood there visiting her grandparents and extended family. Her great-grandparents lived there during the 1950s, and several generations of relatives have since called the same land their home.
That first year demanded plenty of hard work. With help from family members, a local preacher, and new friends, the Millers cleared a portion of the family’s 36-acre property and built a home.
“It felt special, continuing something that had already meant so much to the family,” Dylan said.
Since then, the property has become the family’s passion project. They’ve added chickens, goats, rabbits, and honeybees. There is always another fence to build, another improvement to make, and another project waiting around the corner.
More importantly, memories are being made.
For Dylan and Amber, watching their children spend their days outdoors and grow up surrounded by family has made every challenge worthwhile. “It’s a lot of work, but it’s exactly the kind of life we hoped to give our kids. We have made so many memories here already,” Dylan said.
Initially, Dylan continued working remotely for his Florida employer before eventually joining Blue Peaks Roofing. He first managed insurance restoration claims for the company’s Colorado operations while working from Clay County. As the company expanded, so did his responsibilities, leading him into sales management, production support, commercial roofing projects, and oversight of the company’s window and siding division.
“Working remotely proved something to me—you don’t have to leave West Virginia to build something meaningful,” Dylan said.
That belief was reinforced this year when Blue Peaks Roofing earned its West Virginia contractor’s license and officially launched its West Virginia division based right here in Clay County. The company now serves customers throughout West Virginia and southern Ohio, and Dylan is spending less time in his home office and more time serving customers in the field.
For Dylan, growing the business is about more than roofing.
His long-term goal is to create opportunities for local people. “We purchased our first company truck, and our next step is to establish a permanent office in Clay. If we can bring good jobs into our community while helping homeowners and businesses across the state, that’s something I’ll be incredibly proud of,” he said.
Outside of work, Dylan has become deeply involved in the community, coaching youth wrestling, T-ball, and baseball before becoming president of the Clay County Little League. More recently, he joined the Lizemores Volunteer Fire Department and responded to his first structure fire.
Those experiences, he says, have reinforced what first drew his family to Clay County.
“Over the last several years, I’ve watched so many people throughout Clay County volunteer their time, coach kids, support local organizations, and work to make this community a better place. That spirit is contagious. It makes you want to be part of something bigger than yourself.”
Dylan believes the community’s future is bright and a great place to build a business. For him and Amber, however, the decision was never about business.
It was about building a life.
They came because they believed Clay County offered the kind of place where they wanted to raise their children, a place where family, hard work, and community still matter.
Several years later, they have no regrets.
People often say they were born in Clay County and will die in Clay County.
Dylan Miller wasn’t born here.
“But,” he said with a smile, “I got here as fast as I could.”
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