In 1993, the Discover the Real West Virginia Foundation, a private, non-profit organization was created by Senator Jay Rockefeller to diversify West Virginia’s economic portfolio and give existing industries the tools they need to be competitive in the global economy.

The Foundation has crafted a focused economic development agenda that has evolved over the past decade to bring new resources, ideas and opportunities to the state’s economic development efforts. The Foundation’s focus is threefold:

• To increase national and foreign investment in the State by elevating West Virginia's stature in the international business arena
• To grow existing industries by increasing their competitive edge in the global marketplace
• To foster innovation and entrepreneurship by creating opportunities and networks that facilitate growth

West Virginia is poised to become a leader in the world marketplace, and it did not arrive here by accident. The Foundation has a long and accomplished history of attracting investment, opening-up export markets for West Virginia manufacturers and fostering entrepreneurship.