By Keith Burdette, President, WV Polymer Alliance Zone
Positioning the West Virginia Polymer Alliance Zone for the Next Generation of Manufacturing Investment
At SelectUSA Investment Summit 2026, competition for global investment will be intense, fast-moving, and increasingly strategic. For the West Virginia Polymer Alliance Zone (PAZ), participation wasn’t about visibility alone—it was about positioning our region as one of the most compelling destinations in the United States for polymer, chemical, and advanced manufacturing growth.
And this year, that message landed.
Competing Where Decisions Are Made
Convened by the U.S. Department of Commerce, SelectUSA brings together international investors, corporate decision-makers, and site selection consultants who are actively shaping the future of global supply chains. The Summit will be held at Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland from May 3 – 6, 2026.
For PAZ, the opportunity was clear: meet decision-makers at the moment they are evaluating where to locate, expand, and invest.
But in a crowded global marketplace, standing out requires more than a presence—it requires precision.
A Value Proposition Built for This Moment
The PAZ region’s competitive advantage aligns directly with what manufacturers are seeking today: resilience, proximity, and cost efficiency.
In conversations throughout the summit, our team will led with what matters most:
- Strategic Proximity: Within a one-day drive of more than half the U.S. population and a majority of North American manufacturing markets
- Feedstock Advantage: Direct access to abundant natural gas liquids supporting competitive polymer and chemical production
- Established Industry Base: Home to global leaders including Chemours, Braskem, and a growing network of advanced manufacturers
- Ready Infrastructure: 26 PAZ Super Sites that include Industrial sites, river, rail, and highway connectivity built for speed-to-market
- Skilled Workforce: A legacy of manufacturing excellence paired with targeted workforce development initiatives
These are not theoretical advantages—they are operational realities that reduce risk and accelerate timelines for investors.
Conversations Turning Into Commitments
What we heard at SelectUSA 2025 was clear: companies are moving beyond exploration.
We fully anticipate 2026 will be the same.
Discussions with international prospects typically focus on execution including:
- Site readiness and permitting timelines
- Access to feedstock and utilities
- Workforce scalability and training alignment
- Long-term operating costs and supply chain resilience
For PAZ, these are strengths—not hurdles.
Our ability to respond with specificity, supported by regional data and aligned partners, positioned the alliance as a serious contender for projects currently in motion.
The Power of a Unified Regional Voice
One of PAZ’s greatest strengths is its collaborative model. At Select USA, PAZ partners with the West Virginia Division of Economic Development and l ocal economic development organizations and private industry under a shared strategy. West Virginia’s presence, as one of the 50 states participating in Select USA, represents a unified effort that PAZ has been proud to support for several years. Three of the local economic development organizations that are participating are doing so with financial support from PAZ.
From Engagement to Execution
Participation in SelectUSA is not the finish line—it’s the starting point.
Each conversation represents potential:
- A follow-up meeting becomes a site visit
- A site visit becomes a project pipeline
- A project pipeline becomes jobs, capital investment, and long-term growth
As we move forward, PAZ is actively advancing these relationships—coordinating with prospects, preparing sites, and aligning resources to convert interest into outcomes.
What’s Next
Global manufacturing is evolving. Companies are reshoring, nearshoring, and rethinking supply chains with a focus on reliability and speed.
The West Virginia Polymer Alliance Zone sits at the intersection of those trends.
With unmatched proximity to market, access to critical feedstocks, and a unified regional strategy, PAZ is not just participating in the future of manufacturing—it is helping shape it.
