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Why West Virginia

Governor Joe Manchin III

During the last several years, West Virginia has worked hard to secure its stable financial footing and has made dramatic progress. Our approach to responsible government has produced a positive business climate for new and expanding companies that want to create good jobs in West Virginia.

In 2008, West Virginia had the nation’s sixth highest growth rate in gross domestic product. The state’s economy grew at a rate of 2.5 percent, which is more than 3.5 times larger than the national growth rate of 0.7 percent.

Even in these challenging economic times, West Virginia’s accomplishments have earned national recognition. The media drew national attention to Morgantown’s low unemployment rates. Other media outlets ranked Morgantown, Wheeling and Charleston among the “Best Small and Medium Cities for Jobs.”

The West Virginia Research Trust initiative, popularly known as Bucks for Brains, has been widely featured for its innovative drive to promote knowledge-based economic development in the state.

Find out what well-known companies such as Amazon.com, Toyota, DuPont, Coldwater Creek and Lockheed Martin have already discovered about the advantages of locating in West Virginia. To learn more, please contact the West Virginia Development Office at 800-982-3386 or sign up to receive the Open For Business report.

Sincerely,

Joe Manchin III
Governor of West Virginia

 

West Virginia’s Top 10

1. Growing: In 2008, West Virginia’s economy grew three and a half times faster than the rest of the nation!

2. Recommended: Inc., Forbes, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance and Where to Retire list West Virginia cities among the country’s best places for business and living.

3. Central: West Virginia is within overnight trucking distance of more than half of the U.S. population – and a third of the Canadian population.

4. Profitable: Business costs are 13 percent below the U.S. average.

5. Productive: The state’s skilled workers are among the nation’s most productive – and turn-over rates are some of the lowest in the country.

6. Global: Investments from 25 countries employ more than 20,000 West Virginians. Plus, the state’s exports grew by 41 percent last year – faster than the rest of the country.

7. Popular: Eleven million overnight leisure travelers visited the Mountain State last year, contributing $3 billion to the state’s economy.

8. Affordable: The cost of living in West Virginia is 5.4 percent below the U.S. average.

9. Safe: The state has one of the lowest crime rates in the country.

10. Home: Low property taxes help West Virginia lead the nation in home ownership. Here, the same money buys a much larger home than in other metro areas.