The Recession's Impact on West Virginians
The Recession's Impact on West Virginians Save Email Print
Posted: 8:02 PM Dec 2, 2008
 Last Updated: 8:02 PM Dec 2, 2008
 Reporter: Will Jones
Email Address: will.jones@wsaz.com
9 comments
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CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Now that economists officially say the country is in a recession -- one that started nearly a year ago -- what does that mean locally?

Steve Sears, a financial analyst in Charleston, said although the nationwide economy is failing, West Virginia's economy gets a passing grade. He even described the state's economy as "vibrant."

"In West Virginia, we are not in a recession," he said. "We have one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country."

Some West Virginians, however, said times are not as easy as they used to be, and they're cutting back on spending. Sears said having a budget and sticking to it is smart during uncertain economic times.

West Virginia is not totally immune to the national economic situation. Sears said two reasons the state is not struggling are that it never experienced the boon in the real estate market and the coal industry has remained strong.

For more, including comments from West Virginians concerned about the economy, click on the video link above.
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Posted by: Doug on Dec 4, 2008 at 10:13 AM
I guess it is the lowest, All the ones with the abilities have left the state and the ones with the disabilities aren't able to go or can't afford to. At least all the dirtbag coal trucks are still slinging mud up and down these filthy roads. We won't even have these jobs long if Old bomer gets his way. If the auto workers listens to these new deals they will be working for slave labor soon too. Their unions have already started talking the talk to do away with their benifits too. Sound familiar coal miners? The only thing that ever worked in the coal mine unions was, we all work or nobody works anywhere.
Posted by: anon. on Dec 3, 2008 at 01:08 PM
Unemployment is low because half the state is on disability and social security.
Posted by: bae on Dec 3, 2008 at 11:46 AM
We are at the bottom of the barrel and the rest of the country is finally coming down to our low standard of living, we accept poverty easily. we do try to take care of our own with what little we are able to make. Most of my family has moved to other areas just to have a decent life.
Posted by: RoaneCo. on Dec 3, 2008 at 08:37 AM
What about all the people that have exhausted their unemployment benefits but still have not found employment? What about all the jobs we have lost in the last six/twelve months? What about all the employees at the Stamping Plant that closed two years ago? Didn't Parks, Wise and Pretty Boy Joe put on a big dog and pony show about it re-opening as a world class stamping facility? What about all these companies using temporary manpower services (slave labor) to avoid paying a decent wages and benefits? Things may be "vibrant" for Steve Sears, but I'm sure the working class of this state do not share his views. For a state that ranks at the bottom of most every poll out there, I don't believe we will be used for an economic model any time soon.
Posted by: Larry on Dec 3, 2008 at 08:04 AM
Maybe Obama can give us a bail out.
Posted by: mushroom on Dec 3, 2008 at 03:47 AM
Well they say that this state is behind in everything......however with news of all these plants closing down within a month the recession should catch up with us quickly.....lol
Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 2, 2008 at 10:42 PM
You know why they can say the unemployment is so low? I'll tell you. After someone is on unemployment so long and finds nothing, they eventually fall through the system and isn't even counted anymore. So in theory, it looks like that is one less person unemployed. Then again, they aren't accounted for. It's not because there are so many good jobs there. If that was the case, maybe my family and I wouldn't have had to move to central Ohio for work.
Posted by: csme on Dec 2, 2008 at 09:09 PM
you say that we are the lowest employment in the country, if we are why are so many people getting layed off or losing there jobes do to closing of the place of employmentjust because your pocket is lined do expect ours to be the same.
Posted by: Heather on Dec 2, 2008 at 08:50 PM
Yeah because working at McDonald's is such a life fulfilling job.
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