MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — An upcoming conference will showcase the economic strengths and future growth in the Eastern Panhandle.
The event will be hosted by WVU’S Bureau of Business and Economic Research on November 20 in Martinsburg. The organization has already held similar events in Charleston, Beckley, Wheeling and Fairmont.
“The Eastern Panhandle is one of the standout regions in West Virginia,” WVU Bureau of Business and Economic Research Executive Director John Deskins said. “It’s an outlier in every single way. In terms of population, in terms of job growth, in terms of demographics and the young population. The fact that people are moving there and there is natural population growth.”
Deskins said recently on Panhandle Live, heard on MetroNews affiliates WEPM and WCST, the conference will show a detailed analysis of local and statewide economic trends. It will also provide an economic forecast for the region.
Deskins said the annual Eastern Panhandle’s conference has a much different tone than elsewhere in the Mountain State.
“It’s kind of a bedroom community,” Deskins said. “(Residents) know that West Virginia has a better, higher quality of life and a lower cost of living. West Virginia has all of these benefits but they commute out of state to work.”
While not giving away too much information ahead of the November 20 event, Deskins said there are certain business sectors that are seeing the most success in the Eastern Panhandle.
“There’s also a lot more homegrown growth. We know that we have Macy’s and Procter & Gamble, those are two distribution facilities. That’s an industry that’s doing well and is very well positioned for the Eastern Panhandle.”
The Economic Outlook Conference will be held Wednesday, November 20 at the Martinsburg Holiday Inn at 301 Foxcroft Avenue. It begins at 8 am and will include breakfast and guest speakers.
Find ticketing information here. Students with a valid ID are eligible for a discount.