For Immediate Release: November 5, 2025 Contact: Renee Alves Charleston, WV – Each year the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy releases our annual State of Working West Virginia report, which examines the Mountain State’s economy through the lens of its workers—the people who power our state and economy. While each year’s report has a slightly different focus, one consistent…
Economy
Introduction The State of Working West Virginia 2025 is the 18th edition of an annual series that examines West Virginia’s economy through the lens of its workers–the people whose labor powers the state and our economy. While each year’s report has a different focus, examining data on topics such as employment, income, racial and gender…
WTOV9 - The HOPE Scholarship in West Virginia, offering up to $5,400 per student annually, is sparking debate as it impacts public school funding. Read the full article. With nearly $250 million allocated to the scholarship each year, more students are opting for private schools, leaving public schools facing uncertainty. And officials say that's chipping…
WVVA - In a list ranking all of the states in the nation, the mountain state is coming in dead last when it comes to best places to work. Read the full article. West Virginia is ranked as the worst state in the United states. The study focused on two areas: Job market statistics and economic environment…
The Exponent-Telegram - West Virginia has added more than 3,000 jobs since last August, and the state has seen a slight drop in the unemployment rate, bringing it below the national average, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond. Read the full article. However, the state still trails the nation in terms of average…
West Virginia News - The U.S. economy continues to grow, albeit at a slower rate than experts have hoped for. Read the full article. As West Virginians struggle with the second lowest income per capita and the second lowest rate of workforce participation in the nation, the effects that have slowed the national economy, are…
West Virginia Watch - WorkForce West Virginia recently released data that shows the state’s labor force has been in a steady decline for the last 14 months. Read the full article. The Mountain State has lost more than 4,000 jobs and about 7,600 people from its workforce in the last year. The amount of people…
Charleston Gazette-Mail - Longtime readers might remember when West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice, members of his administration and state Republican leadership were over the moon about the state being ranked No. 1 in the nation for personal income growth in the first quarter of 2019. Read the full article. Justice, now a Republican U.S. senator,…
CNBC - The odds of a recession may be falling, but states appear to be betting that corporate leaders are still nervous. Read the full article. An analysis of all 50 states’ economic development marketing efforts — part of CNBC’s annual America’s Top States for Business study — finds that a strong economy is the most frequently…
West Virginia News - Many West Virginia residents had been hoping for another decrease to their personal income tax this year, but state revenues have not grown enough to trigger a reduction, according to a law passed in 2023. Read the full article. Compared to last year, the state’s collected revenues actually declined over the…