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West Virginia’s economy is in transition, and it will take a collaborative effort by business, government and academia to ensure revitalization instead of stagnation, as stated in a summary of findings of a study entitled “West Virginia Forward: Maximizing our Opportunities for Prosperity.” West Virginia Forward is the result of a joint effort by West Virginia University, the Department of Commerce and Marshall University.

West Virginia’s leaders will need to implement several initiatives in order to boost the state’s economy, according to findings from the West Virginia Forward report. The findings, released at the state Capitol by West Virginia University, Marshall University and the state Commerce Department, identified potential solutions to help solve economic challenges in the state. The study was conducted by McKinsey & Company, a consulting firm based out of New York.

State officials and higher education leaders unveiled a 60-page report that they hope will “move West Virginia forward.” The report was created in the hopes of identifying ways to make it easier to do business in the Mountain State and to attract more innovative businesses, among other things.

On Wednesday, September 27, Marshall President Jerome Gilbert, WVU President Gordon Gee, and State Commerce Secretary Woody Thrasher released the summary of findings from the West Virginia Forward project, a collaborative effort with hopes of moving the state forward. The project identified possible short and long-term solutions for the state's economic challenges. The study was conducted by McKinsey and Co., and was funded through private contributions and foundations.

Nearly as old as the Mountain State itself, West Virginia University has become the state’s academic, economic and emotional heartbeat over the last 150 years. The activity at WVU’s various campuses — Morgantown, Parkersburg, Beckley, Keyser — adds up to a total annual economic impact of more than $1.4 billion for West Virginia. The university stands among the nation’s leaders in health care, research and academic excellence.

Senator Shelley Moore Capito: West Virginia’s economy is showing signs of progress and there is reason to be optimistic about our state’s future. Recent economic numbers demonstrate this positive news. In the first quarter of 2017, West Virginia’s GDP grew by 3 percent, the second fastest growth of any state in the nation. While one quarter of growth is not a trend, it does demonstrate the potential for a strong economic recovery.

Southern West Virginia’s higher education institutions have joined for a major effort to help attract businesses to West Virginia and create jobs. Marshall University President Jerome A. Gilbert announced the formation of the Alliance for the Economic Development of Southern West Virginia at the recent West Virginia Chamber of Commerce’s annual meeting at The Greenbrier. Led by Marshall University, the Alliance is made up of nine two- and four-year higher education institutions and is focused on marketing the region to prospective businesses.

West Virginia University President E. Gordon Gee talked about West Virginia Forward during the September 11, 2017 State of the University Address.

West Virginia University President E. Gordon Gee delivered a State of the University address on Monday that introduced the “West Virginia Forward” initiative. WVU partnered with the West Virginia Department of Commerce and Marshall University to commission McKinsey & Company in a search for a fresh look at problems in the state and possible new pathways in solving them.

West Virginia University President E. Gordon Gee delivered his “State of the University” address to the school’s faculty senate on Monday, September 11. Gee said that West Virginians need to be more proud of themselves because of all the state offers, including its natural beauty and the potential for economic growth, and vowed that West Virginia University will help the state turn “apathy into ambition and recession into recovery.”