CHARLESTON, WV - Citing statistics generated by the U.S. Department of Labor that show West Virginia led the nation in percentage of new construction job growth in 2017, Gov. Jim Justice said Thursday the movement forward under his administration continues to gain steam.
"Our jobs growth in 2017 was 14.4 percent, 4,300 new construction jobs," Gov. Justice said. "When are we going to awaken to the fact that we've really got a movement going on in West Virginia.
"We were first in the nation in 2017," Gov. Justice added. "Just a little more than two years ago, in October 2015, we were dead last...50th. I told you I was committed to pulling West Virginia out of that ditch.
"You know why so many things are happening? It's because all of a sudden we're awakening a sleeping giant like you can't imagine and the world out there is beginning to look at us and say "Oh, West Virginia is not that dark, dingy and backward state, West Virginia is really special, did you know about West Virginia?
"It's like that Marine commercial where they say we are looking for a few good men," Gov. Justice said. "But in West Virginia we're not just looking for a few, we're looking for a lot of good women and men to come to our state. They'll find a good paying job and they will be able to raise their family in paradise. Four beautiful seasons, good people, people that care, appreciate and love. The jobs are being created for our residents and for others."
Gov. Justice also signed SB438 at the press conference held at the Charleston Civic Center, during the West Virginia Construction and Design EXPO. The new law allows for the bonding that will lead to $55 million in upgrades to State Parks.
"Hundreds of additional jobs will be created by this as well," Gov. Justice noted. "And the improvements being made will help us to draw thousands and thousands of new visitors to West Virginia."
View the statistics here: https://www.agc.org/news/2018/03/12/construction-employment-rises-35-states-and-dc-january-2017-january-2018-jobs |
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