America's Top States For Business 2013

#48 West Virginia

Charleston, West Virginia
Henryk Sadura | Getty Images
Charleston, West Virginia
Category
Score
2013 Rank
2012 Rank
Cost of Doing Business 274 19 24
Workforce 77 50 50
Quality of Life 121 36 39
Infrastructure & Transportation 151 37 47
Economy 216 27 7
Education 57 42 29
Technology & Innovation 67 49 49
Business Friendliness 13 50 44
Cost of Living 27 24 26
Access to Capital 6 39 46
Overall 1009 48 48

ECONOMIC PROFILE

Governor: Earl Ray Tomblin (D)

Population: 1,855,413

GDP growth: 3.3 percent

Unemployment rate (May 2013): 6.2 percent

Top corporate rate: 7 percent

Top individual tax rate: 6.5 percent

Gasoline tax: 34.7 cents/gallon

Bond rating/outlook: Aa1/Stable

Major private employers: West Virginia University Healthcare, Charleston Area Medical Center, DuPont Washington Works, St. Mary's Medical Center, Arcelor Mittal, Marshall University, United Hospital Center, Ohio Valley Medical Center, Pilgrim's Pride, Camden Clark Medical Center

Economic profile sources: American Petroleum Institute (April 2013), Bureau of Economic Analysis (2012), Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2013 release), CareerOneStop, Moody's Investors Service (most recent senior-most tax-backed ratings), National Governors Association, Tax Foundation (2013), U.S. Census Bureau (2012 estimate)

From the Governors

America's Top States For Business 2013 Video