It’s a mixed bag for the economy in the Mountain State for 2015, according to economic experts and industry leaders speaking at the October 2 WVU Economic Outlook Forum in Charleston.
The West Virginia University College of Business and Economics released its West Virginia Economic Outlook 2015 report at the 21st Annual West Virginia Economic Outlook Conference in Charleston.
Bill Raney, president of the West Virginia Coal Association; Corky DeMarco, executive director of the Oil and Natural Gas Association; Joe Eddy, president and CEO of Eagle Manufacturing; Debra Martin, deputy state director of the West Virginia Small Business Development Center; and Mark Muchow, deputy secretary of the West Virginia Department of Revenue were panelists for a discussion about the state's economic issues.
While Raney said the coal industry faces challenges due to federal regulations and economic uncertainties, he vowed that this association is going to “push and survive,” touting West Virginia's coal as the “best in the world.” He also said, “one of the most disturbing things about this administration in Washington is its loss of respect for the coal miners and managers who bring electricity to the rest of the country! That loss of respect is reflected in their debilitating policies .”
“West Virginia has lost jobs over the past year or so, as losses in coal have overwhelmed gains in other sectors,” John Deskins, director of the WVU Bureau of Business and Economic Research (BBER), said in a prepared statement.
The full economic outlook report is available for free download at www.be.wvu.edu/bber.