Broadband
By Kelly Workman , Director , West Virginia Office of Broadband , & Kent Sowards , Associate Director , Center for Business and Economic Research , Appalachian Transportation Institute , Marshall University Research Corporation
West Virginia ’ s broadband industry is on a steep upward trend . As West Virginia prepares to execute the $ 1.2 billion Broadband Equity Access and Deployment program , the state is successfully utilizing funding from the American Rescue Plan Act , a $ 236 million initiative with nearly 50 projects touching 42 counties awarded to date . Historic federal funding combined with private investments are rapidly improving connectivity throughout the state .
The West Virginia Department of Economic Development ( WVDED ), Office of Broadband and West Virginia Broadband Enhancement Council are actively working to ensure West Virginia secures its place among the most connected states in the nation .
The WVDED has partnered with the Marshall University Center for Business and Economic Research to complete a broadband industry impact analysis . Preliminary data indicates that the industries primarily involved in broadband expansion represent 5 % of total employment in West Virginia , providing approximately 31,000 jobs . The combined industry includes $ 1.7 billion , or 6 %, of total payroll .
Companies serving the greatest number of locations in West Virginia , as reported by the Federal Communications Commission , are Frontier , Comcast and Optimum . Numerous small and regional companies are rapidly expanding , creating job opportunities for direct employment , contractors and suppliers .
** Total Workforce : 31,000 ** GDP Contribution : $ 1.7 billion
Construction
By Jason Pizatella , CEO , Contractors Association of West Virginia
The construction industry gained employees at a rate of 9 % in the last quarter of 2023 . ConstructConnect reported that during the first 10 months of 2023 , West Virginia construction projects had a value of over $ 5.8 billion , more than triple the $ 1.8 billion valued during the first 10 months of 2022 , a year-to-date increase of 244 %. Multiple factors can be attributed for this astounding growth , including the incredible infrastructure commitments elected officials have made in the last several years .
From the successful Roads to Prosperity and Economic Enhancement Grant Fund initiatives by the state to the passage of the generationally significant Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act by Congress , positive effects are being felt in communities and throughout the construction industry . Collectively these programs will inject more than $ 8 billion into the West Virginia economy over the next several years .
These jobs , and the investments that go along with them , improve the quality of life for everyone who calls the Mountain State home . Companies within the private sector have also stepped up to make West Virginia what it is today , including Nucor , Form Energy , Berkshire Hathaway Energy Renewables , Mountaintop Beverage , Precision Castparts Corp ., GreenPower Motors , Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub and LG Electronics .
Total Workforce : 35,337 GDP Contribution : $ 3.5 million
* Top Employers : 1 . West Virginia Department of Highways 2 . Triton Construction , Inc . 3 . Nitro Construction Services , Inc . 4 . Applied Construction Solutions , Inc . 5 . Davis H . Elliot Company , Inc .
Higher Education
By Jessica Tice , Senior Director of Communications for the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission , & Ben Beaks , Executive Director of the West Virginia Independent Colleges and Universities
A robust K-12 system overseen by the West Virginia Department of Education makes education in the Mountain State a powerful weapon in the fight against unemployment , population loss and substance use .
This , coupled with the state ’ s public higher education system , is providing a wealth of educational opportunities for West Virginians . The higher education system includes 12 baccalaureate institutions that offer vast opportunities for a high-quality education at an affordable cost and nine public community and technical colleges that partner with businesses to meet workforce needs and provide a meaningful , career-driven education for students .
In close collaboration with these colleges and universities , West Virginia ’ s public higher education office , comprised of the Higher Education Policy Commission and Community and Technical College System , is working to arm 60 % of the Mountain State ’ s workforce with a formal credential beyond high school by 2030 . Through engagement , advocacy , collaboration and coordination of educational policy and research , the state ’ s higher education office supports West Virginia ’ s higher education system in
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