Unemployment in Preston County is an ongoing problem. Everywhere you see, people are working less and less. West Virginia is at the top of the state unemployment and labor statistics list. It has many people asking questions. Is it that hard to obtain a job in Preston County? The worst thing about the whole situation is that West Virginian residents seem like they do not want to work. MarketWatch reported in March of 2015 that less than half adults (18 or older) in West Virginia have a job. Preston is not the only county struggling in West Virginia. This issue has been going on for many years. What will it take to fix this issue? What must the people of Preston do? The steepest unemployment declines are in mining, logging, and construction.
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McKinley made it very clear that Obama’s “War on Coal” is the reason for high unemployment rates. McKinley stated in a press release,” When President Obama was elected, West Virginia was tied for seventh in unemployment. After seven years of ruthless hostility towards coal, West Virginia ranks dead last. That’s outrageous!” There is no question that the wild and wonderful state is headed in a terrible direction. Even state leaders cannot predict where it is going, which is dangerous. Saying coal is important to West Virginia is no doubt an understatement. Out of 55 counties, 28 produce coal. Ninety-nine percent of the generated electricity for West Virginia comes from coal. The coal industry payroll is nearly $2 billion per year and is responsible for more than $3.5 billion annually in the gross state product. The West Virginia Coal Industry provides about 30,000 direct jobs in WV, including miners, mine contractors, coal preparation plant employees and mine supply companies. McDowell County has produced more coal than any other county and has the second highest unemployment rate in West Virginia. The locations where coal-mining is a major industry is the same areas where the unemployment rates are the highest. It really is a chain reaction. (All Of
McKinley made it very clear that Obama’s “War on Coal” is the reason for high unemployment rates. McKinley stated in a press release,” When President Obama was elected, West Virginia was tied for seventh in unemployment. After seven years of ruthless hostility towards coal, West Virginia ranks dead last. That’s outrageous!” There is no question that the wild and wonderful state is headed in a terrible direction. Even state leaders cannot predict where it is going, which is dangerous. Saying coal is important to West Virginia is no doubt an understatement. Out of 55 counties, 28 produce coal. Ninety-nine percent of the generated electricity for West Virginia comes from coal. The coal industry payroll is nearly $2 billion per year and is responsible for more than $3.5 billion annually in the gross state product. The West Virginia Coal Industry provides about 30,000 direct jobs in WV, including miners, mine contractors, coal preparation plant employees and mine supply companies. McDowell County has produced more coal than any other county and has the second highest unemployment rate in West Virginia. The locations where coal-mining is a major industry is the same areas where the unemployment rates are the highest. It really is a chain reaction. (All Of