Hard times in West Virginia

Hard times in West Virginia

Bluefield, Ky., Daily Telegraph: The job creation outlook for the Mountain State isn’t looking all that promising for the near future. In fact, a new report presented to lawmakers is predicting a sluggish job creation growth rate in West Virginia over the next couple of years.

The only silver lining to be found in the report compiled by the College of Business and Economics at West Virginia University is the prediction that those who are working will pull down somewhat bigger paychecks.

The report also predicted a 1.7 percent average decline in the state’s coal industry over a five-year period, which is more bad news for the coalfields of southern West Virginia.

The study is predicting an increase in jobs in the less than stellar economic outlook presents renewed challenges for lawmakers, and Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin.

Building upon current successes — including the anticipated Marcellus shale gas exploration boon and the opening of the Summit Bechtel Family Reserve complex— could be key to renewed growth.