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Local EconomyWelcome to one of today’s most amazing markets — a mountain paradise in the middle of the Eastern U. S. where information flows across cellular networks and advanced fiberoptic systems. Historically, the economic base of the region has been coal related. However, employment in the coal industry has dropped dramatically. Technological advances in the industry have resulted in more production today than ever before with a fraction of previous employment. Although coal mining and processing are still important components of the total economic picture, changes are taking place. Raleigh County experienced vigorous job growth during the ‘90s. Based on a national forecast, the Beckley-Raleigh County region is likely to add more jobs and see more increases in inflation-adjusted, per capita income. Manufacturing jobs are expected to be a bright spot for the region, with jobs growing at a faster rate than currently expected for the state or the nation. Beckley-Raleigh County, located in Southern West Virginia lies on the edge of the largest unbroken forest in the Eastern U.S. The forests continually replenish its air. With a uniquely healthy environment, thousands of acres of state and national parks, low crime, low cost of living, 10 minute rush hour traffic, low property taxes, abundant beauty, marvelous outdoor recreation create an excellent quality of life making it a desirable place to live, work and play. State EconomyManchin, Rockefeller say state moving in right direction “We as West Virginians need to open our minds and do business differently,” the governor said. “We have done that, and the past two years have accomplished things many thought not possible.” Manchin said nobody thought workers’ compensation would be privatized or that the state would tackle tort reform. “In the last year and a half, business, industry, state and local government, the financial sector, labor, health care, education and AARP, you name it, are all at the same table,” he said. “We have all worked together to reach a common goal. Working together is success.” Manchin said the key was to put differences aside. “We can have differences and respectfully disagree as long as we continue to respect each other,” the governor said. “We can’t get anything accomplished if we don’t continue to respect each other.” Manchin said the state is moving in the right direction. “We have put $9 million toward reducing the state’s debt and an overall reduction in the growth of state government employment during the past year,” he said. Manchin said it is the first significant reduction in the growth of state government in more than a decade. “Between December 2004 and December 2005, employment in state government agencies and departments dropped by 444 positions, which is a reduction of 1.5 percent,” he said. Manchin added that the privatization of the workers’ compensation system is not reflected in this data, as it did not occur until Jan. 1 this year. Manchin said the reductions were made through attrition. ------ In his remarks at the dinner, Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., thanked the chamber for inviting him in celebrating 70 years of success working to create good jobs and making West Virginia a good place to do business. “Over the years, you have had a tremendous impact on our state by helping to meet the needs of existing companies, providing resources to small and medium-size businesses, and helping to make West Virginia attractive to new industries,” Rockefeller said. “You’ve accomplished a lot by working with companies to help solve problems related to affordable health care, taxation and regulation.” Rockefeller said business in West Virginia has had to evolve to meet new challenges. “You’ve worked with Gov. Manchin to make our state more business-friendly and you’ve worked with us at the federal level to achieve a number of goals across the policy spectrum,” he said. However, Rockefeller said real wages have not grown and solutions must be found. “While the economy has seen sustained growth overall, real wages have not, and we must work together to find new solutions,” he said. “As you well know, our businesses will only thrive in the long run if our workers thrive also.” Rockefeller and Manchin both agreed that the state is on the right path. “But you also know that we still face challenges, among them health insurance, something I’ve work-ed on for years,” Rockefeller said. “While we do face some tough challenges, the good news is we know what the problems are, and, collectively, we are willing to fix them. I think we all agree that West Virginia is a very good place to do business. We’ve got a workforce second to none, we’ve got a business climate that is thriving and we’ve got the beauty and tranquility that other states can’t offer.”
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 Another business asset by Digital Beckley. |