WV JOB GROWTH STAGNANT THROUGH 2020 - Jobs Not Readily Available In Rural Areas

(10/06/2015)

By Bob Weaver WVU College of Business and Economics researchers are forecasting continued high unemployment in West Virginia in their annual report. West Virginia's unemployment rate in August was at 7.6 percent, the highest in the nation. The state has failed to diversify from a 125 year exportation of natural energy resources and the chemical industry, both in decline, not only causing job losses, but money for the state's tax coffers. An even greater hit has been the globalization of tens of thousands of jobs, most low paying, that once supported blue collar families. With most business requiring real high-speed broadband, the state ranks near the bottom. The WVU report says the unemployment rate is expected to remain at or above 7 percent through early 2016 before falling under 6 percent by 2019. According to the report, jobs growth in West Virginia is estimated to increase by an average of 0.5 percent annually through 2020, far below the expected growth nationally of 1.2 percent. WV is a state with an aging population, the report saying only 53 percent of the state's adult population is working or looking for work. Jobs in the states rural areas are hard to find, many driving 100-150 miles daily to work. WV has the nation's lowest rate of labor force participation, with an aging population.

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