About Us
The Eastern Panhandle Business Association (EPBA) was founded in 1991 as an independent political action committee (PAC) to advocate for legislation that would promote free market principles. Now, that agenda continues to be pursued through the original PAC and through a separate limited liability company (LLC). It was and still is the belief of the EPBA entities that the purpose of government is to provide a level playing field that promotes healthy competition in the marketplace. For decades, the local economy had been bogged down with tax and regulatory policies that provided advantages to some but created undue burdens and obstacles for others. The judicial system was branded as a "hellhole" deemed to be lacking fairness.
Over the years, the EPBA entities have worked to get legislation passed on the state level that would foster sound economic principles. Specifically, the EPBA entities have advocated for legislation to deal with comprehensive reforms in education, taxes, regulation and the judicial system. In the early years it was very slow going, but in recent times there has been important and significant progress. As a result, the economy of the state of West Virginia is on a profound upswing with the Eastern Panhandle area leading the way.
Success can lead to complacency, and the leaders of EPBA wanted to continue leading the way to pursue a better future for the businesses and citizens of the Eastern Panhandle. That is why, the EPBA broadened the scope of its operations to being more than a PAC. Thus the LLC was established to also operate as an even broader-based association dedicated to serving the business community by providing important tools to make each enterprise more competitive. These include educational material as well as goods and services that will enhance human resource offerings and employee benefits.
As the new decade commences, it is hoped that you will choose to be a part of our growing association of businesses, and that together we can strengthen our community through the magic of the marketplace.