Economy

October 3, 2020 by Sean O'Leary
Business Briefcase

Beckley Register-Herald - Sean O’Leary, senior policy analyst at the nonpartisan West Virginia Center on Budget & Policy, reports in a blog post that West Virginia had recovered roughly two-thirds of the 93,900 jobs it lost in March and April. Read full article. “As previous posts have shown, most of those gains occurred in May…

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September 29, 2020 by Sean O'Leary
West Virginia’s Unequal Economic Recovery

West Virginia has recovered roughly two-thirds of the 93,900 jobs it lost in March and April as the economy was heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. As previous posts have shown, most of those gains occurred in May and June, with job growth slowing significantly in July and August. But as the jobs recovery as…

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September 22, 2020 by Sean O'Leary
West Virginia’s Job Recovery Remained Slow in August

West Virginia saw another month of relatively slow job growth as the state and the nation continue to struggle with COVID-19's economic impact. According to Workforce WV, total nonfarm employment increased by 5,500 jobs in August, including 2,200 private sector jobs. While the economy is still adding jobs, the pace of the recovery has slowed…

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September 21, 2020 by WVCBP
Health Care for All West Virginia Coalition Urges Senate to Prioritize Immediate Need for COVID Relief Over Rushing To Fill Supreme Court Vacancy

For Immediate Release: September 21, 2020 Contact: Kelly Allen, 304-612-4180 Charleston, WV- For several months, members of the Health Care for All WV coalition have urged our U.S. Senators and House Representatives to prioritize a robust COVID relief package that would address the immense suffering West Virginia families, businesses, and local governments are facing. Congress has failed…

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September 21, 2020 by Quenton King
Ohio Researchers Show How Solar Could Help Turn Around Appalachian Economy

Energy News Network - Coal’s downturn has taken a toll on Appalachian Ohio, but solar power could be one step on a potential path forward as the region’s economy tries to rebound. Read full article. A recent analysis by Ohio University suggests that utility-scale solar projects could create tens of thousands of jobs and billions…

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September 11, 2020 by WVCBP
Appalachia Coalition Creates Blueprint for Sustainable, Equitable Future

Allegheny Front - A coalition of progressive environmental and policy groups has an economic plan for the Ohio River Valley of Appalachia — including Southwestern Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Ohio and West Virginia. ReImagine Appalachia breaks away from traditional fossil fuel extraction, and relies on federal stimulus dollars to build a sustainable economy with an eye towards racial equality…

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September 10, 2020 by Kelly Allen
Statement: Republicans’ “Skinny” COVID Relief Package Failed to Pass Senate. Urgent Need Remains for a Plan that is Proportionate to Magnitude of Crisis

For Immediate Release: September 10, 2020 Contact: Kelly Allen, 304-612-4180 Charleston, WV - Today a Republican-proposed COVID relief package failed to pass the U.S. Senate. While West Virginia's communities desperately need additional relief, the provisions included in this legislation were far too meager to meet the immediate and ongoing needs of West Virginia families, many of whom…

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September 5, 2020 by Sean O'Leary
All Rosy? Step Away from the Budget Kool-Aid

Beckley Register-Herald - Gov. Jim Justice and state Revenue Director Dave Hardy would have you believe, by evidence of a press briefing this past Thursday where each gushed about buckets of cash on hand and revenue collection improvements year over year, that the West Virginia economy is resurgent and so filled with goodness that fish…

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August 19, 2020 by Sean O'Leary
West Virginia’s Job Recovery Weakened in July

West Virginia's economy added only 200 jobs in July, according to the monthly jobs report from Workforce WV, after adding 35,600 in June. West Virginia's overall jobs picture has been heavily skewed the past two months due to the temporary hiring of poll workers for June's primary election. Government jobs increased by 11,200 in June,…

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