WVU economic researcher highlights needs for region

WEIRTON - An economic researcher from West Virginia University continues to see potential for the tri-county area, but says a lot of work is needed before that success can be realized.

John Deskins, Ph.D., director of the Bureau of Business and Economic Research within the John Chambers College of Business and Economics at WVU, returned to Weirton Tuesday morning to discuss economic conditions in the region and across West Virginia.

Paul Lattamus, president of A.V. Lauttamus Communications, hosted Tuesday’s presentation, organized in cooperation with the Weirton Area Chamber of Commerce, the City of Weirton, and the Business Development Corp. of the Northern Panhandle, calling Deskins a "rockstar" when it comes to forecasting the economy.

"In order to get the data in West Virginia, there’s one person to go to," Lauttamus said.

Deskins noted he sees potential for job growth in Brooke, Hancock, and Jefferson counties, although at less than 2 percent, acknowledging there are various obstacles which stand in the way, including continued population loss, a need for diversification in the economy, lack of available housing stock, educational concerns, and a lower participating of adults in the work force.

"We have about 10 times our share of challenges," Deskins said.

Much as he did two years ago, Deskins pointed to Form Energy as a bright spot, as the company continues to sign on projects and expand its employment. However, he noted much of those gains are leveled out by the closure of the Cleveland Cliffs facilities locally.

Statewide, he reported West Virginia has seen cumulative growth for its growth domestic product measures over the last nine years, but much of that has been on the tails of coal and natural gas, which has increased by 42 percent. Other major categories - including healthcare, retail, hospitality, manufacturing, and construction, among others - account for only a 6 percent increase.

"We desperately need industrial diversification," he said.

Deskins noted only seven or eight counties in West Virginia have experienced true gains in population, while Brooke and Hancock counties, in the most recent figures, show a loss of 3.5 percent.

He said one way the state can counter some of those measures is through investment in human capital, which includes focusing on education outcomes, preparation for the workforce, and the health needs of the population.

West Virginia has seen improvements in its mortality rates, in particular in relation to substance use, explaining, at one point, the state saw more than 81 deaths for every 100,000 people, but, as of 2024, the statistic had reduced to 48.9 per 100,000. The U.S. average, he said, was 33.5.

"We’re still the worst in the country," he said of the measure. "If you go to the CDC’s website, West Virginia has its own color."

A lack of available childcare also contributes to the challenges, he said, as it doesn’t allow everyone able to work to seek employment.

"We’ve been stuck in a vicious cycle," Deskins said, but gave hope the cycle can be broken with the right investments.

(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com)