page_title: Richwood, West Virginia
section_title: Economy
hierarchical_section_title: Richwood, West Virginia / Economy
caption_attribution_description: English: Self-made photo of Main Street (WV55 &amp; WV39) in Richwood, West Virginia taken on Septembet 24, 2006. The photo was taken at street level across the street from the former Vitello's Furniture building looking westbound towards the stoplight.
context_page_description: Richwood is a city in Nicholas County, West Virginia, United States. In 2010, the census showed Richwood with a population of 2,051. During the 19th and early 20th century Richwood was a booming coal and lumber town. Richwood has a very rich history, including the formation of the Cherry River Navy civic organization to draw attention to issues important to the community. Richwood has also become known statewide as the "Ramp Capital of the World". Each year, in April, the city hosts a large festival that draws visitors from around the country.
context_section_description: While Richwood was the economic center for Nicholas County for most of the 20th century, the county seat of Summersville has come to be the primary retail and business center during the past 25 years.  This is mostly due to the improvement of U.S. Route 19 to a 4-lane highway and the development of business along the corridor.  Richwood, however, is still by default the political and economic center of eastern Nicholas County, as it is the only incorporated city in the immediate area. The city has a small shopping plaza which houses Rite Aid and Dollar General.
  There are efforts to attract visitors to the area for the natural environment of the adjacent Monongahela National Forest. The mayor welcomed attendees of the 2005 Rainbow Gathering that was held in the forest and took the opportunity to encourage craftspeople to buy property and set up businesses there.
  Richwood operates the small Richwood Municipal Airport, which is located in the nearby unincorporated community of New Hope.
caption: Richwood's Main Street Central Business District went from boom to bust during the 20th century, but has subsequently seen the return of specialty shops and an effort to beautify the cityscape
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