Eastern Panhandle Regional Planning and Development Council

What Eastern Panhandle Regional Planning and Development Council does

The Eastern Panhandle Regional Planning and Development Council, operating as Region 9, is a West Virginia state-created regional planning council organized on June 20, 1972, under the Regional Planning and Development Act of 1971. The organization serves as the statutorily designated planning body for Berkeley, Jefferson, and Morgan counties in West Virginia, along with eleven municipalities including Martinsburg, Charles Town, Shepherdstown, Harpers Ferry, Hedgesville, Bolivar, Ranson, Paw Paw, and the Town of Bath (Berkeley Springs). It holds concurrent designations as an Appalachian Regional Commission Local Development District, an EDA Economic Development District, an FHWA-recognized counterpart to the Hagerstown/Eastern Panhandle MPO, a Census Bureau Affiliate Data Center, and the State of West Virginia Planning and Development Council. Its single headquarters is located at 226 Pilot Way, Suite E, Martinsburg, West Virginia, and it operates Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Region 9's service portfolio centers on multi-jurisdictional planning and grant administration. Core deliverables include the 2023-2027 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), county-level broadband plans with maps and cost estimates tied to the BEAD program, multi-jurisdictional FEMA hazard mitigation plans, MS4 stormwater compliance, Chesapeake Bay watershed protection, source water protection plans, and business resource referral services for the Eastern Panhandle. Products are delivered as PDF planning documents and resource linkages rather than as a unified software platform; the underlying technology is limited to a Wix-hosted website (region9wv.com) and standard office productivity tools.

The council operates a managed-services and professional-services revenue model funded through member-government appropriations and pass-through federal/state grant administration. There is no commercial sales motion; pricing is not publicly disclosed and services are provided to public-sector clients only. Distribution is direct, with Region 9 staff (an Executive Director, Assistant Director, two Project Managers, an Environmental Program Coordinator, an Executive Assistant, and shared HEPMPO staff) engaging the three county commissions, eleven municipal governments, and a network of federal, state, and local partner organizations.

Name

Eastern Panhandle Regional Planning and Development Council

Legal name

Eastern Panhandle Regional Planning and Development Council

Website

https://region9wv.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Eastern Panhandle Regional Planning and Development Council (Region 9) is a West Virginia state-designated regional planning council serving Berkeley, Jefferson, and Morgan counties and eleven municipalities with comprehensive planning, federal and state grant administration, hazard mitigation, broadband, environmental, and economic development strategy services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Regional Planning Services

NAICS

Administration of Urban Planning and Community and Rural Development (925120), Administration of Housing Programs, Urban Planning, and Community Development (9251), Administration of Economic Programs (926)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Regional & Land Use Planning (BPAHAKAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Intergovernmental Affairs & Federal Grants Administration (BPAIAAAC), Economic Development & Business Licensing (Local) (BPAIACAN)

Keywords

• Regional planning services
• Government grant administration
• Hazard mitigation planning
• Broadband strategic planning
• Economic development strategy

Headquarters

HQ city

Martinsburg

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Government Grants Administration: The council identifies, applies for, and administers federal and state grants on behalf of member local governments. This appears to be the primary operational model - facilitating grant funding for regional planning and development initiatives.
2. Planning Services: Provides comprehensive and functional planning services to local governments including hazard mitigation, broadband planning, and environmental protection planning.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

The Council assists local governments in resolving common problems, engages in area-wide comprehensive and functional planning, identifies and administers federal and state grants, and provides regional focus for area-wide programs including hazard mitigation, broadband planning, environmental protection, and economic development. Services are delivered as planning documents, grant-administration work, and direct staff assistance to the three counties and eleven municipalities of West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle.

Product overview

The Eastern Panhandle Regional Planning and Development Council (Region 9) is a government planning organization offering a portfolio of regional development services rather than a unified software product. The core offerings include regional planning coordination, broadband strategic planning (with county-specific plans for Berkeley, Jefferson, and Morgan counties), hazard mitigation planning, environmental programs (MS4 stormwater, watershed protection, Chesapeake Bay initiatives), economic development strategy (CEDS), business resources, and statistical data services. These services are provided through PDF documents, resource links, and direct municipal assistance rather than a software platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Regional Planning and Development Services Statutory core service assisting Berkeley, Jefferson, and Morgan counties and eleven municipalities in resolving common problems, engaging in area-wide comprehensive and functional planning, identifying and administering federal/state grants, and providing regional focus for area-wide programs.
• Broadband Plans Comprehensive broadband strategic planning services including county maps, cost estimates, and strategic plans for Berkeley, Jefferson, and Morgan counties to expand broadband access and align with state BEAD funding efforts.
• Hazard Mitigation Planning
• Environmental Programs
• Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) Strategic five-year economic development planning document (2023-2027 cycle) with annual updates, including SWOT analysis and regional economic priorities to guide economic development investment across the three-county region.
• Statistical Data Services
• Source Water Protection
• WV Watershed Implementation Plan Phase III

Quantifiable outcome

• Coordinates multi-jurisdictional hazard mitigation planning for Berkeley and Morgan counties
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• West Virginia Development OfficecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState-level development office supporting business growth in West Virginia. Region 9 connects local governments with state development resources and programs.
• West Virginia Community Advancement & DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWV CAD administers state and federal programs to improve quality of life in West Virginia. Region 9 collaborates on community development initiatives.
• West Virginia Economic Development AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState authority focused on developing business prosperity and economic welfare. Region 9 facilitates EDA programs at the regional level.
• West Virginia Chamber of CommerceminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStatewide business advocacy organization. Region 9 connects businesses with Chamber resources and economic development opportunities.
• Workforce West VirginiaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne-stop workforce resources center. Region 9 provides links to workforce data and connects businesses with workforce development resources.
• WV Broadband Enhancement CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState council focused on broadband expansion. Region 9 develops county-level broadband plans and coordinates with state broadband initiatives including BEAD program.
• Marshall Advanced Manufacturing CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides leading-edge equipment, expertise and quality certifications to move innovative ideas from concept to market. Helps communities with manufacturing and innovation support.
• West Virginia Community Development HubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupports community development initiatives across West Virginia. Helps communities with big ideas for development and growth.
• Small Business AdministrationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal agency providing resources for entrepreneurs. Region 9 provides SBA resources to businesses in the Eastern Panhandle.
• National Association of Development OrganizationsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational organization providing advocacy, education, research, and training for regional development organizations.
• National Association of Regional CouncilsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational voice for regions advocating for regional cooperation as the most effective way to address community planning and development opportunities.
• Hagerstown/Eastern Panhandle Metropolitan Planning Organization (HEPMPO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional transportation planning organization. Region 9 serves as the West Virginia Counterpart for HEPMPO, coordinating transportation planning.
• West Virginia Small Business Development CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides expert guidance for small businesses throughout the development process including concept, startup and growth. Region 9 provides links to SBDC services.
• Eastern WV Economic AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration of four counties (Berkeley, Jefferson, Morgan, and Hampshire), Eastern WV Regional Airport Authority, and Region 9 to provide information for businesses locating in the Eastern Panhandle.
• Morgan County Economic Development AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal economic development authority offering business support services and promoting small town living with access to DC/Baltimore markets.
• Berkeley County Development AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal agency that assists businesses considering moving to or expanding in Berkeley County, connecting businesses with county opportunities.
• Jefferson County Development AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorks to increase and diversify the tax base for Jefferson County, focusing on manufacturing, IT, government, tourism and agriculture businesses.
• Eastern West Virginia Regional Airport AuthorityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMaintains, supports and operates the Eastern West Virginia Regional Airport as an economic driver for the region.
• Eastern Panhandle Entrepreneurs ForumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides free networking and support to small business owners and promotes formation and growth of innovative new businesses in the Eastern Panhandle.
• Berkeley Springs - Morgan County Chamber of CommerceminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNon-profit civic organization devoted to promotion and support of a prosperous business climate in Morgan County.
• Martinsburg - Berkeley County Chamber of CommerceminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrivate nonprofit volunteer business organization with 500 businesses and organizations working for community betterment.
• Jefferson County Chamber of CommerceminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFor-Purpose organization promoting profitable and vital growth for business members in Jefferson County.
• Main Street MartinsburgminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRevitalizing Downtown Martinsburg through historic preservation and economic redevelopment.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Eastern WV Economic Alliance: Four-county collaboration (including Region 9) supporting business location decisions in the Eastern Panhandle. Functions as a regional partner/joint marketing entity rather than a competing planning organization.
• Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC): Federal-state partnership that designates Region 9 as a Local Development District and channels program funding through it. Not a competitor but the upstream funding/regulatory counterparty whose priorities shape the council's agenda.

Regional players

• Berkeley County Development Authority: Sub-county economic development authority within Region 9's territory focused on business attraction and retention. Adjacent rather than directly overlapping — the council coordinates planning while BCDA executes business development.
• Jefferson County Development Authority: County-level economic development authority within Region 9's service area focused on diversifying Jefferson County's tax base across manufacturing, IT, tourism, and agriculture. Operates in parallel to the council.

Direct peers

• Region 6 Planning and Development Council (WV): Another West Virginia regional planning council operating under the same statutory framework and serving member counties with comparable planning, hazard mitigation, and economic development services.
• Hagerstown/Eastern Panhandle Metropolitan Planning Organization (HEPMPO): Bilateral transportation planning peer; Region 9 is the West Virginia counterpart for HEPMPO, jointly coordinating multi-state planning for the Eastern Panhandle and western Maryland — directly comparable function and overlapping territory.
• Region 2 Planning and Development Council (WV): Sibling WV regional council with parallel ARC LDD and EDA EDD designations, offering the same comprehensive planning, grant administration, and CEDS services to a different multi-county WV region.
• Region 1 Planning and Development Council (WV): One of West Virginia's other statutory regional planning and development councils serving the northern panhandle — identical legal mandate, service portfolio, and funding model under the same 1971 enabling act.

Broad incumbents

• National Association of Development Organizations (NADO): National association for EDA-designated Economic Development Districts and similar regional development organizations; Region 9 is a listed partner. Comparable in scope and represents the broader peer category.
• National Association of Regional Councils (NARC): National trade association representing regional councils and COGs across the U.S.; Region 9 is a member. Provides industry-wide context on funding, advocacy, and policy that directly shapes Region 9's operating environment.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Eastern Panhandle Regional Planning and Development Council