Economy

As we begin this year the West Virginia economy continues to improve. The coal industry is increasing as coal prices and production get back to their former levels. Investment in the gas development areas especially in the Marcellus Shale continues to grow. All the ancillary businesses to the natural gas business are improving including gas pipelines, gas compressor stations and fractionating plants for the "wet" gas, water haulers and processors, the fracking companies, BOP and wellhead pressure control companies, bolting and hydrostatic testing companies, the cementing companies, wireline companies, pipe and well casing suppliers, drilling mud suppliers, site preparation and reclaim companies and trucking of all sorts. The associated businesses are growing including hotels, motels, restaurants and caterers, industrial parks, car and truck dealers, mechanics, employment agencies, building contractors, property owners and last but not least the government tax collectors. The bright spot here is employment. Whether you are a laborer or a welder, a truck driver or a roustabout on a drilling rig there are jobs and they pay well. Don't have the skills, then get some. Don't have the experience, then get some. Start at the bottom, build a career.