CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Monthly state data released from Workforce West Virginia indicate that July had the highest level of employment in that month since 2008.
Brian Dayton, Director for Research and Member Communications, West Virginia Chamber appeared on a recent MetroNews ‘Talkline’ and said total employment for July 2019 in West Virginia climbed to 756,400, representing an increase of 27,300 since employment hit its lowest levels in 2015.
“In the last few months in 2019 is a fast escalation of job growth in West Virginia and that is fantastic for the West Virginia workers, for the state’s economy as a whole and the future outlook,” Dayton said.
READ: Release from the Chamber
According to Workforce WV, total employment in West Virginia increased 14,400 from July 2018 to July 2019.
The numbers from sectors are as follows: Total Employment is 756,400, a net gain of 14,400; Private Sector Employment is 586,600, a net gain of 9,600; Mining & Logging is at 22,900, a net loss of 300; Manufacturing is at 47,800, a net gain of 1,100; Construction is at 47,900, a net gain of 5,000; Educational & Health Services is at 131,100, a net gain of 2,700; and Retail Trade is at 80,900, a net loss of 2,100.
Dayton said he is excited about the manufacturing numbers being up because those jobs tend to be high paying and long careers for people.
He indicated the regions in the state having the most growth are North Central and both panhandles.
West Virginia was recently ranked first in both GDP Growth and Personal Income Growth, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce.
“If we continue this pace for the next couple of years, West Virginia will be at its highest level of employment probably ever,” Dayton said. “That’s really exciting news that we are seeing.”