The WV Secretary of State’s Office registered 1,301 new businesses statewide during the month of January according to Secretary of State Kris Warner.
Clay County led the state in the percentage of new business growth with a total of seven new business registrations, a 2.63% increase. The Secretary of State’s Business Division reported that Gilmer, Jefferson, Braxton and Raleigh County also experienced notable growth during the month.
Top five counties in new business growth:
1.Clay County – 2.63% growth
2.Gilmer County – 2.04% growth
3.Jefferson County – 1.80% growth
4.Braxton County – 1.80% growth
5.Raleigh County – 1.67% growth
Counties that led the state in total businesses registered in January include Kanawha, Monongalia, Berkeley, Jefferson and Raleigh.
Top five counties in total businesses registered:
- Kanawha County – 136 new registrations
- Monongalia County – 127 new registrations
- Berkeley County – 122 new registrations
- Jefferson County – 85 new registrations
- Raleigh County – 82 new registrations
Statewide, West Virginia registered 13,676 new businesses in the previous 12-month period, from February 1, 2024, to January 31, 2025. Raleigh County led all 55 counties with a 18.59% growth rate during the one-year timespan. To review county-by-county growth, visit our Business Statistics Database.
