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.
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.
Richwood, West Virginia