West Virginia is the 34th Best State for Business 2012

May 2 2012 by ChiefExecutive.net


No 34: West Virginia

No. 34

West Virginia

Taxation and Regulations
Workforce Quality
Living Environment

Based on CEO Survey by ChiefExecutive.net

Key Metrics
State GDP 

  • % Growth ’07-’10: 6.90
  • % Growth ’07-’10 v. Nat’l Avg. (-0.33%): 7.23

Unemployment

  • Unemployment Rate Dec. 2011 %: 7.90
  • Comparison with Nat’l Rate (8.50%): -0.60

Domestic Migration

  • Domestic Net Migration ’00-’09: 17,727
  • Rank: 26

State Government

  • Debt per Capita Fiscal Year ’10 ($): 3,860
  • State & Local Gov’t Employees per 10k Residents: 558.46

State-Local Tax Burden

  • Rate (%): 9.39
  • Compared to Nat’l Avg. (9.8%): -0.41
Key Companies
  • International Coal Group Inc.
  • MTR Gaming
  • United Bankshares
Development Trend Indicator: Neutral
Excitement over business potential of Marcellus Shale isn’t yet realized.

Sources:
Bureau of Economic Analysis
Bureau of Labor Statistics
NewGeography.com
The Tax Foundation