MORGANTOWN, W.Va. State Senator Mike Oliverio (R-Monongalia, 13) is a member of the delegation shopping business opportunities to industry in Seattle, Washington. On WAJR’s “Talk of the Town,” Oliverio said they have a wide cross-section of leaders from the state to tell the Mountain State story.
The group has met with Amazon, Amazon Web Services and Boeing. Wednesday, the group will meet with representatives from Microsoft.
“We’ve got leaders from the house and senate; we have our higher education folks with us; and we have our economic development and commerce folks with us,” Oliverio said. “So, we’re really able to speak as one voice on behalf of West Virginia.”
Oliverio said the state has a compelling story to tell that includes key companies like Nucor Steel and start-up companies like battery-powered boat manufacturer Pure Watercraft and battery-powered school bus manufacturer GreenPower Motor. Recent developments demonstrate economic policies that encourage growth and an available workforce.
“We’re a state that hasn’t had any new business taxes in 20 years; we’ve been lowering taxes,” Oliverio said. “We’re a state now that has the second lowest worker’s compensation rate in the country.”
Many states are facing higher obligations on their future revenues from unfunded pension obligations or unfunded commitments made to retirees. Other states face ballooning deficits, while West Virginia has operated with a revenue surplus in recent years.
“If I become a partner with the state and I come onboard, I’m going to have to pitch in and pay for some of this stuff, and we’re able to say “no” our pensions are 75 to 80 percent funded,” Oliverio said.
Natural resources and available land, along with the financial position, are other compelling reasons for job creators to consider West Virginia when making comparisons with other potential locations.
“We have space, the land is available, we can deliver low-cost energy, we have water to do cooling, and we have a workforce, so we’re well-positioned,” Oliverio said.
Oliverio said the future of the state depends on policies that attract new residents and show young people there is a bright future here at home. Bringing a diverse mix of representatives from the state to meet with companies gives the delegation the best chance for success, according to Oliverio.
“We’re among the oldest states in the country in terms of per capita age, so we have to grow, we have to bring new people in, and we have to create an opportunity where our young people will stay—those are our challenges,” Oliverio said.