Biggest Month of Jobs Gain Since 2008 – West Virginia experienced its largest single month jobs gain in January in over three years. Total nonfarm employment increased by 3,100, reaching 763,900, its highest peak since late 2008. West Virginia now has more jobs than it did at the official start of the recession in December 2007. The unemployment rate also sank, falling from 7.8 percent to 7.4 percent over the last month. Read
The dramatic drop in labor force participation and high rates of unemployment among young workers should be a major policy concern for lawmakers. West Virginia should pursue targeted policies to help these workers find employment and regain their footing in the labor market.