WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, WV – Gov. Jim Justice today addressed hundreds of car and truck dealers from across the state, who have gathered this week for the 2019 West Virginia Automobile and Truck Dealers Association Family Convention.
“Our incredible auto industry is, quite literally, the driving force in our communities and a big economic engine for our state, that’s all there is to it,” Gov. Justice said. “For 85 years, your association has been a part of the fabric of that industry and we are so proud of all the hard work that you all do.”
During his speech, the governor thanked attendees for their important contributions to the state’s economy. Annual sales for the state’s new car and truck dealerships total approximately $5 billion, or 19.1 percent of the total retail sales in the state.
“Your work is truly one of the biggest chunks of our economy and one of the biggest reasons we’re on the move like never before,” Gov. Justice said. “We’re on pace for the greatest year of revenue growth in our state’s history and we wouldn’t have gotten there without every single one of you and all the West Virginians that work hard right alongside you at your businesses.”
Additionally, according to the WVATDA – which represents 135 new car and truck dealerships across the state – the average West Virginia dealership has 50 employees, creating approximately 7,000 direct jobs as well as more than 6,000 indirect or induced jobs. The association says the dealerships’ total annual payrolls top $300 million, with an average annual pay of $50,000.
“You’ve set really high standards for all businesses across our great state,” Gov. Justice said. “I’m excited to work along with you to continue the momentum that we’ve built over the past couple of years here in West Virginia.”