COUNTY GOVERNMENT:
The Jackson County Commission has oversight over a number of programs within the county. Throughout the years, significant monies have been used to enhance the infrastructure of the county and subsidize programs that improve the quality of life of our county residents. Currently the website for the Jackson County Commission is under development. However, it should be operational sometime in early 2010. Meetings are held every Thursday morning beginning at 9:30 a.m. in the courthouse. If you need to contact the Jackson County Commission, the phone number is 304-373-2220. We will link to the Jackson County Commission website as soon as it is fully operational.
DEMOGRAPHIC DATA:
A thorough demographic and economic profile can be obtained by clicking here. This information was compiled by the Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Council, and is sound in its integrity. If you have questions relating to this or any other data, please do not hesitate to contact us. A profile of Jackson County produced by Workforce WV can be obtained by clicking here.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT:
The Jackson County Development Authority (JCDA) works with State, Federal and Regional development agencies to bring new industry to our community. The board’s efforts are global in scope, and attract national and international companies. The JCDA is a government agency that represents Jackson County and works in conjunction with City of Ravenswood, City of Ripley, Ripley Main Street Program, and the Ravenswood Development Authority.
EDUCATION:
One of the gems of Jackson County undoubtedly is our school system. The schools offer the opportunity for all students to achieve their maximum potential. Not only do students excel in the classroom, but they demonstrate excellence on the fields of competition as well. In recent years teams from both communities have won state titles, not to mention many trips to the playoffs. Please visit the Jackson County Board of Education website to learn more about the exceptional faculty, staff, and facilities that Jackson County has to offer.
EMERGENCY SERVICES:
Jackson County is fortunate when it comes to the emergency services that are provided to its residents. The Jackson County 9-1-1 Communications Center is a modern facility located in Ripley, WV. It handles dispatch for the county's five fire departments, five law enforcement agencies, and the Jackson County EMS which has three stations in the county. The 9-1-1 center is staffed by two dispatchers at all times and has a computer aided dispatch system to facilitate fast and accurate routing on calls. Jackson County is also at the forefront of the government mandated move to the 911 address system. This address system uses advanced technology that will allow emergency responders to know your location simply by your address. For a listing of important important contact numbers found on their website please click here.
HEALTH SERVICES:
With a mission that focuses on the "enhancement of the environmental and physical health for all our county residents," the Jackson County Health Department provides essential services to our county. From community health services, immunization clinics, and restaurant inspections the Jackson County Heath Department is here to serve the needs of the community. Please visit their website to learn more about how the work they do improves the health of our citizens each and every day.
HIGHER LEARNING:
Those wanting to advance themselves from an educational perspective can begin that endeavor in Jackson County. WVU Parkersburg -Jackson County Center is located on Academy Drive in Ripley. Classes are offered five days a week, with evening classes available Monday through Thursday.
HOSPITALS:
Located in Ripley, WV is Jackson General Hospital, which has served the area for more than 45 years. Offering a wide range of services, this 42-bed acute care medical facility provides Jackson County citizens with quality and affordable healthcare. Jackson General Hospital is self-described as follows:
"We are a full-service community resource, consisting of doctors’ offices, rural health clinic, primary and specialty care providers, inpatient and outpatient care, 24-hour emergency care, physical therapy, community services, and educational opportunities. We meet the community’s healthcare needs through a 41-member medical staff that represents specialties in the areas of Emergency Medicine, Radiology, Podiatry, Family Practice, Pathology, General Surgery, Orthopedics, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Urology, and Otolaryngology. All members of our medical staff are board certified or board eligible in their specialty. In addition, 300 highly-qualified employees work tirelessly to ensure that we meet the needs of our community by doing the right thing right, every time, from the first time."
Jackson County Public Library: The Jackson County Public Library was established in 1960 and is excited to mark the 50th anniversary of serving the needs of Jackson County's citizens. With a main office in Ripley and a branch in Ravenswood, the two population centers are covered. To meet the demands of new technology and continue the high level of service to our county's citizenry, the Jackson County Library is undergoing expansion in both locations. Please visit the Jackson County Public Library website for more detailed information on the services that are provided.
WVU Extension Service - Jackson County: Many people in Jackson County realize the value that the extension service provides to Jackson County residents. Whether it is in the form of helping out landowners with agricultural questions, providing youth with a quality 4-H program, assisting with families and health programs, or collaborating on community, economic and workforce development, the WVU Extension Service - Jackson County is there. The mission of the extension service is well summarized on their website and is as follows:
"All universities engage in research and teaching, but the nation’s more than 100 land-grant colleges and universities including WVU, have another critical mission: Extension. Extension means reaching out, and along with teaching and research land-grant institutions extend their resources, solving public needs with college or university resources through local programs. With more than 3,000 county offices in the USA, the National Cooperative Extension System is the local front door for many citizens to their state land-grant institutions."