West Virginia Ranks 49th Again

To the shock of no one, a national ranking of state business climates by Forbes magazine finds that West Virginia is the 49th best state for business. Only Louisiana ranked worse; Mississippi ranked 48th. Neighboring Virginia ranked number one; the rankings of other surrounding states included Maryland at 11, Kentucky at 33, Ohio at 34, and Pennsylvania at 41.

The Forbes index rated states on business costs, labor, regulatory environment, economic climate, growth prospects, and quality of life. West Virginia ranked dead last in the growth prospects subranking.

Sadly, the fact West Virginia remains not open for business, notwithstanding the message of the governor's beautiful new road signs, has been long evident to residents of most border counties who often commute to neighboring states for work, shopping, and entertainment.