Tag: Recession

Job Growth in Eastern Panhandle Expected to Continue Upward Trend

An annual Eastern Panhandle Economic Outlook conference was held in Martinsburg, showing job growth is steady in the Eastern Panhandle and is expected to grow in the coming years.

Director of the West Virginia University Bureau of Business and Economic Research John Deskins presented the findings at the conference.

He explained the Eastern Panhandle continues to be a leader in job growth, because of location, increased population, access to better education, and business investments. 

“There’s been no recession here,” Deskins noted, “I mean, the state’s lost a lot of jobs between 2012 and 2016, and this area’s continued to grow at a healthy pace during that period.”

Deskins said that trend will likely go up as more investors like Procter & Gamble look to set up shop here.

WorkForce West Virginia reported in September that Jefferson County has the lowest unemployment rate in the state at 2.8 percent, while Mingo County has the highest rate at 8.2 percent. Overall state unemployment is at 4.4 percent, which is higher than the national average.

Deskins argues West Virginia counties that are struggling should focus on ways to make themselves more attractive to potential businesses, such as improving transportation infrastructure and cultivating a healthy workforce.

Researchers: W.Va. Appears to Emerge From Recession

West Virginia University researchers say the state appears to have emerged from a recession.

WVU said in a news release Monday that economic indicators show the recession likely ended during the second quarter of this year, based on slight gains in the Mountain State Business Index in June and July.

The index combines seven economic indicators to measure the expected swings in the state’s economic activity.

The university says the index has increased in three of the past four months. However, the state economic remains relatively weak. And the fallout from devastating floods in late June could weaken conditions further.

But WVU Bureau of Business and Economic Research director John Deskins says there is “very guarded optimism” for slow economic growth in the months ahead.

Economic Report Indicates West Virginia is in Recession

A new report indicates that West Virginia is in an economic recession.

The Register-Herald reports that the Mountain State Business Index has found that West Virginia has seen deterioration in economic activities since the spring of 2015.

The economic recession has been largely a result of the decline in the coal industry. The index found that in March there was a 3.1 percent month-to-month decline in coal production. It also found that there were month-to-month gains registered for natural gas production.

The index combines seven economic indicators to measure the expected swings in the state’s economic activity.

John Deskins, director of West Virginia University’s Bureau of Business and Economic Research, says the state’s recession is expected to continue into the summer. He says that outcomes vary across the state.

Economic Report Indicates West Virginia is in Recession

A new report indicates that West Virginia is in an economic recession.

The Register-Herald reports that the Mountain State Business Index has found that West Virginia has seen deterioration in economic activities since the spring of 2015.

The economic recession has been largely a result of the decline in the coal industry. The index found that in March there was a 3.1 percent month-to-month decline in coal production. It also found that there were month-to-month gains registered for natural gas production.

The index combines seven economic indicators to measure the expected swings in the state’s economic activity.

John Deskins, director of West Virginia University’s Bureau of Business and Economic Research, says the state’s recession is expected to continue into the summer. He says that outcomes vary across the state.

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