Economy

November 9, 2020 by WVCBP
13th Annual State of Working West Virginia Report Highlights Persistent Racial Inequity Throughout the State, Presents Policy Solutions from WV Community Leaders

For Immediate Release: November 09, 2020Contact: Sean O'Leary, 304-400-8899 Charleston, WV - In the 1960s, Black Americans across the country marched, protested, and even rioted as decades of institutional racism and oppression came to a head. Now in 2020, over half a century later, extraordinarily high numbers of Americans of all backgrounds marched once again in protest…

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November 3, 2020 by Rhonda Rogombe
The Affordable Care Act Remains Essential to West Virginia Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

The open enrollment period to sign up for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) started on November 1 and continues through December 15. This period allows individuals without existing health coverage to enroll in a private insurance plan or Medicaid – all in one place. As the nation continues to contend with the COVID-19 pandemic,…

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November 3, 2020 by Sean O'Leary
State of Working West Virginia 2020: The State of Racial Inequality

Foreword In 1967, Black Americans marched, protested, and even rioted as decades of systemic racism and oppression came to a head. In response, President Lyndon Johnson established the Kerner Commission, which spent the next year researching, holding hearings, and visiting communities to examine racial inequity in the country. In 1968, the Commission issued its report,…

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October 30, 2020 by WVCBP
In West Virginia, Obamacare is About More than Public Health. It’s a Matter of Economic Stability.

Mountain State Spotlight - In West Virginia, public health and economics are especially intertwined. Read the full article. Since the Affordable Care Act (also known as Obamacare) was enacted in 2010, the law has funded treatment for substance use disorders, expanded black lung benefits and  provided health insurance to 20 million Americans who were previously…

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October 29, 2020 by Sean O'Leary
West Virginians Were Promised an Economic Revival. It Hasn’t Happened Yet.

Mountain State Spotlight - One year ago, West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice promised business leaders that the state’s economy was on the verge of a boom. Continued growth in natural gas production was going to spark an industrial renaissance, bringing construction of a giant collection of spinoff factories. Read the full article. Speaking to the West…

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October 29, 2020 by WVCBP
ReImagine Appalachia Coalition Details Regional Infrastructure and Investment Priorities

White papers detail Appalachian climate investment strategy for lawmakers post-election. For Immediate Release: October 29, 2020 Contact: Renee Alves, 559-916-5939 Charleston, WV - The ReImagine Appalachia Coalition released a trio of white papers detailing needed infrastructure investments in broadband, for modernizing the region's manufacturing sector, reviving the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and promoting regenerative agriculture. Read the reports here. The…

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October 27, 2020 by Sean O'Leary
Five Scary Charts About West Virginia’s Recovery

It's almost Halloween, a spooky time of year with ghosts, witches, zombies, and unemployment claims data. If you love being scared, check out these bone-chilling charts featuring some ghastly trends on West Virginia's economic recovery during COVID-19. But be warned, these blood-curdling bars and spine-tingling lines are not for the squeamish. West Virginia lost 93,900…

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October 22, 2020 by Rhonda Rogombe
West Virginia Medicaid Enrollment Continues to Rise Even as Unemployment Claims Level Out

Last week, West Virginia’s Bureau for Children and Families released updated state Medicaid enrollment figures. The data revealed that 6,500 additional West Virginians registered for the program in September. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in February – and the subsequent loss of employment and wages – 53,500 additional individuals have gained coverage. This…

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October 20, 2020 by WVCBP
17 West Virginia Non-profits Call on Governor Justice to Reallocate Remaining CARES Act Funding

WVVA - As part of federal COVID-relief legislation passed in March, West Virginia received $1.25 billion to address the health and economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic. Read full article. As of October 19, there is still over $969 million remaining unspent with a December 30 deadline for utilizing the funds. Governor Justice’s current proposal would send…

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