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Forecast
Where has the West Virginia economy been? Where is it now? Where is it going? Through the West Virginia Economic Outlook, BBER gives you concrete answers to the first two questions and provides forecasts to enhance your understanding of the possibilities for the future.
BBER keeps you informed about current and expected economic performance through regular publications, conferences, briefings, and press contacts. These include the fall statewide economic outlook conference in Charleston, as well as regional conferences held in selected locations around the state. Thousands of West Virginians have attended these gatherings since 1994.
BBER's forecasts track important economic indicators, such as jobs by industry, labor force growth and unemployment, population by age group, personal income by component, coal production, and gross state product. Not only does the West Virginia Economic Outlook program address economic conditions statewide, it also analyzes conditions at the region and county level. During the last decade BBER has produced regional forecasts for the Morgantown MSA, the Eastern Panhandle Region, the Potomac Highlands Region, the Wheeling MSA, the Beckley-Bluefield Region, and the Charleston MSA, among others.
Guide to West Virginia Economic Outlook publications:
- West Virginia Economic Outlook
- Released annually, in the fall
- 50 pages full of data, analysis, and forecasts for the state.
- Includes analysis of past forecast accuracy
- Mid-Year Review
- Released bi-annually, in the summer
- Concise analysis of the state's current performance and 5-year outlook.
- Long-Term Forecast
- Released bi-annually, in the summer
- Analyzes current performance and the long-term outlook for the state
- Regional Outlooks
- Forecasts and analysis for selected regions of the state
Custom forecasts are available for the state and client-defined regions. Contact George W. Hammond, Director of the West Virginia Economic Outlook Project, for more information.
