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Author: Admin | 2025-04-28
Aerial view of a coal mine in West Virginia. Mining has been an integral part of West Virginia for over a century and is a leading contributor to GDP growth in the State. West Virginia has a long history of agriculture, dating back to the Native Americans and the early European settlers. Tourism in the Mountain State produces $13 million daily economic impact. West Virginia is the only US state created from a Confederate state. West Virginia broke off from Virginia in 1861, to form its own state when Virginia seceded from The Union. During the early days of the state, its mineral industry flourished. Today, mining remains an economic engine in West Virginia. In 2014, the economy of West Virginia accelerated with a growth rate of 5.1%, ranking the state the 3rd fastest-growing state in the US. The economy of West Virginia today is both rich in natural resources and ripe with technological advances. Marked with consistent growth and diversification, the economy of West Virginia is a global hub for chemicals and a national hub for biotech industries. West Virginia is also a leading state in energy. The economy of West Virginia is also diversified in areas such as aerospace, automotive, manufacturing, telecommunications, media, education, healthcare, hospitality, metals and steel, forestry, biometrics and tourism. In August 2019, the unemployment rate in West Virginia was at its lowest (4.6%) since the start of the Great Recession. Here are some of the biggest industries in West Virginia: Mining Mining has been an integral part of West Virginia for over a century and is a leading contributor to GDP growth in the State. In 2016, the mining industry of West Virginia contributed $4.6 billion to the GDP of the state. The same year, the mining industry employed about 12, 566 West Virginians translating to 1.8% of the total workforce. The most important mined product in West Virginia is coal. Coal was first discovered in West Virginia in 1742. Large scale production of coal in the state began in the mid-1800s. Out of the 55 counties of West Virginia, 53 of them have coal deposits. West Virginia is the 2nd largest producer of coal in the US after Wyoming. In 2017, the coal mining industry accounted for 2% of West Virginias employment. The coal industry employs about 30,000 people and was responsible for a $3.5 billion impact. About 75% of West Virginia’s mining income is derived from coal. Natura gas is also mined in West Virginia. Natural gas accounts for 20% of West Virginias mining income. Other minerals mined in the state are petroleum, salt, sand gravel, and crushed stone. Clean energy initiatives have had a considerable impact on the mining industry of
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