West Virginia’s economy has arrived at an interesting point. Positive economic indicators from the Mountain State Business Index, created by the West Virginia University Bureau of Business and Economic Research, are on a four-month roll. The potential for an economic surge, thanks to the Marcellus Shale and other natural gas activities, seems within the state’s reach now more than ever.

What does this all mean for the future of our state’s economy?

The 21st Annual Economic Outlook Conference will be held in Charleston on Oct. 2 to provide stakeholders in the West Virginia economy with a forecast and analysis of the state’s economy. The annual event is hosted by the Bureau of Business and Economic Research, housed in the WVU College of Business and Economics, and will be held at the Charleston Embassy Suites.

“For more than two decades, the BBER has presented a comprehensive picture of the West Virginia economy to stakeholders and business leaders,” said Dr. John Deskins, BBER director. “People have a lot of questions about where West Virginia’s economy is heading, and they want hard data and rigorous and unbiased economic analysis. They want to know about the natural gas and coal industries, the employment picture, exports, geographic regions of especially strong economic potential, and overall economic challenges and opportunities.”

Deskins said the event presents an opportunity to discuss primary indicators of the economy, such as employment, unemployment, population and real per capita personal income.

The Economic Outlook Conference in Charleston is the first of five events scheduled by the BBER across West Virginia. Regional economic outlook events will also be held in Wheeling on Oct. 16; in Martinsburg on Nov. 6; in Morgantown on Nov. 18; and in Beckley on Dec. 4.

The Oct. 2 event will begin at 8 a.m. with registration and continental breakfast, followed by a conference welcome and overview by Jose Zito Sartarelli, Milan Puskar Dean, WVU College of Business and Economics. The U.S. economic outlook will be presented by Andy Bauer, economist, Baltimore Branch, Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond. The national outlook will be followed by the West Virginia Economic Outlook, presented by Deskins.

The final component of the program will feature a panel discussion on West Virginia economic issues, including Corky DeMarco, Executive Director, West Virginia Oil and Natural Gas Association; Joe Eddy, President and CEO, Eagle Manufacturing Company; Kristina Oliver, Executive Director, West Virginia Small Business Development Center; Mark Muchow, Deputy Cabinet Secretary, West Virginia Department of Revenue; and Bill Raney, President, West Virginia Coal Association.

“Our job is to provide information on the most important topics germane to West Virginia’s economy, which we are in hopes will prompt appropriate discussion and action for the benefit of all West Virginia citizens,” Deskins said.

To register for the Economic Outlook Conference, go to be.wvu.edu/bber. For further information on the WVU College of Business and Economics, please visit be.wvu.edu.

-WVU-

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CONTACT: Patrick Gregg, WVU College of Business and Economics
304.293.5131, Patrick.Gregg@mail.wvu.edu

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