West Virginia - Wild and Wonderful

About West Virginia

West Virginia is noted for its mountains and diverse topography, its historically significant logging and coal mining industries, and its political and labor history. It is one of the most densely karstic areas in the world, making it a choice area for recreational caving and scientific research.

Business

West Virginia is full of opportunity for any business with a growing economy and a highly dedicated workforce. Whether you are running an existing business or thinking of starting a new business you can find all of the information you need throughout this business section.

Education

West Virginia is fortunate to have a tremendous education system with a high standard of excellence. Please use the information provided here to learn more about the wealth of educational opportunities in our great state.

Employment

West Virginia is home to one of the finest workforces in the country based on our hard work and commitment to quality. Whether you are looking for new job opportunities, enhancing your job skills or researching future employment trends you can find all of the information you need throughout this employment section.

Family

West Virginia offers the perfect balance of a rural and urban setting that suits a variety of lifestyles. This is a state where you can go whitewater rafting in the morning, go to an art exhibit in the afternoon and attend a concert in the evening. Whether you just moved to the Mountain State or your family has been here since it was founded, you are part of our community.

Health

Maintaining proper health is vital to ensuring the highest quality of life possible. West Virginia strives to provide one of the best health care systems in the country that is affordable and available to all residents of the state. This section contains numerous resources to assist you in accessing the health care services provided in the state.

Tourism

Exhilarate in the lasting beauty and natural wonder scattered throughout West Virginia. From unmatched outdoor recreation to world-class resorts, breathtaking scenery and a variety of cultural and historic attractions, West Virginia is an ideal spot to plan your next adventure. Discover for yourself what makes West Virginia wild and wonderful.

 West Virginia Location to Be Used in Tony Scott's "Unstoppable" 

11/19/2009  CHARLESTON, W.Va. — While Follansbee, W.Va., waits for its cinematic debut in Robert Tinnell's film, "Feast of the Seven Fishes," it will soon get to share the spotlight with Bellaire, Brewster, Mingo Junction and Martins Ferry, Ohio, as well as numerous locations in Pennsylvania that have been utilized for the filming of Tony Scott's action thriller, "Unstoppable," starring Denzel Washington, Chris Pine and Rosario Dawson.

"The Market Street Bridge near Follansbee will be closed on Monday, Nov. 23, to accommodate the filming of various driving scenes," said Pam Haynes, director of the West Virginia Film Office. She added that it also may be closed on Tuesday, Nov. 24, if weather or other problems cause any delays on the 23rd. The Brooke County Sheriff's Department will handle traffic control issues on Route 2, with the Follansbee City Police Department as backup, if needed.

The state Division of Highways (DOH) will issue its own public notice about the bridge closure, and "as usual, they've been very cooperative," Haynes said.  "The DOH recognizes the value of supporting filming opportunities in the state, and as happens in many films, road closures are almost always a necessity."

Furthermore, the DOH cooperated with the filming of a scene for the upcoming release of "The Road," which utilized an unfinished four-lane highway near Morgantown last year. "The Road" is scheduled for theatrical release on Nov. 25.

In addition to filming on the bridge, it is anticipated that filming will take place from a helicopter.  Haynes said that the production also has utilized other areas of the Northern Panhandle for nonfilming scenes, such as using the Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Airport for landing helicopters and running trains along various routes to and from Ohio and Pennsylvania locations.

For more information about the West Virginia Film Office, call 304-558-2200, ext. 382, or visit www.wvfilm.com.

Contact Information

Pam Haynes 
304-558-2200 x 382 
pamela.j.haynes@wv.gov