Categories: 2014 Best & Worst States

West Virginia Is 35th Best State for Business 2014

Previous State: Minnesota Next State: Maine

No. 35 West Virginia

Taxations & Regulations

Workforce Quality

Living Environment

Key Metrics
State GDP 
  • % Growth ’12-’13: 5.1
  • % Growth ’11-’12 v. Nat’l Avg. (2.5%): 0.8

Unemployment

  • Unemployment Rate Dec. 2013 %: 5.9
  • Comparison with Nat’l Rate (6.70%): -0.8

Domestic Migration

  • Domestic Net Migration 2013: -1,894
  • Rank: 28

State Government

  • State Debt per Capita Fiscal Year ’13 ($): 4,375
  • State & Local Gov’t Employees per 10k Residents: 558.5

State-Local Tax Burden

  • Rate (%): 9.7%
  • Compared to Nat’l Avg. (9.9%): -0.15%
Key Companies
  • International Coal Group Inc.
  • MTR Gaming
  • United Bankshares
Development Trend Indicator: Neutral
Cut in worker’s comp rates helps offset troubles besetting coal industry.


Based on CEO Survey by ChiefExecutive.net

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

J.P. Donlon

J.P. Donlon is Editor Emeritus of Chief Executive magazine.

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Published by
J.P. Donlon
12 years ago

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