NBC: "Morgantown an economic oasis" (Charleston, Huntington: coupon, 2009)

[NorthPoleMarathoner]

Originally Posted by triax10

I have a question on census data and university/college students. You typically hear that college students are not counted in census data, and in particular in Morgantown, there is the discussion that with students, the city holds many more people. Why is it then that in the 2000 census, over 12,500 people in the census data for Morgantown are between 15 and 24, compared to 3,500 for Fairmont, 4,000 for Wheeling, 2,000 for Clarksburg, and 6,000 for Charleston. In other words, a full 47% of the Morgantown 2000 population is in that age bracket, compared to percentages of 6 to 13% for other similarly sized cities in the state. I cannot imagine all these people not being students-- it simply does not add up.

Where people were living on April 1st of 2000 is where they are included in Census data. Doesn't matter where the parents live or whether or not they are students, inmates or what their job is. Doesn't even matter if the
person thinks of Morgantown as a temporary residence. If they live there on April 1st they are counted as a resident.

For example. If a student is living in Morgantown on April 1st he will be counted as such. Even if he spent the 18 years prior in Parkersburg, Seattle or London, England.

And property ownership/employment status doesn't matter either. A person living on the street would be counted also.

One thing you will notice about census data though. Usually when you have a smaller college town the data will show a lower median income, higher rates of unmarrieds and higher rates of people not in the workforce. (not in the workforce means not looking for a job and should not be confused with unemployed)

Oftentimes counties heavily dominated by students will appear to be worse economically than they really are.

[David Kennedy]

When did gathered data ever 'Add Up?

Numbers are just that..numbers. And they can be guided to do certain things...almost always political.

[Drover]

Originally Posted by CTMountaineer

I believe the attitude of the town does have a lot to do with
its success. Northern West Virginia, in general, has long been
conditioned to expect next to no help from the State. At
the same time, some of the other areas are constantly whinning
about getting more handouts. Being self reliant pays dividends
long term. And, now that demographics are shifting maybe
the area will start to get its fair share too... all without
complaining.

I don't think a city with the state's flagship university can proudly claim that it expects no help from the state. It owes its relative economic stability to the state.

[David Kennedy]

The State decided a few years ago to pursue the gambling business. All stops were pulled out to make that happen.

All road projects were put on hold...(the exception being those funded by Sen. RC Byrd) unless they served a large gambling operation.
Money was thrown at Wheeling because of the gambling there. Money was spent in the EP because of the gambling there...and in our local area one mile of highway is being built ($51 million) to service a casino that lies ready to be assembled.

The priority of WV has been this industry and it has brought in a great deal of money until now.
Numbers are quiet because the gambling shills have not had that flux of disposable income. People are keeping a little back and the treasury deficit numbers are showing.

With this trend of declining revenue, we are expecting the coffers to dwindle in a more accelerated manner as the future unfolds.
Federal Taxation on the horizion will make gambling even less profitable for us.
A shift is being created to take everyones wealth into the Federal Government and State Governments.

As this happens, state projects will take on less and less responsibility.
Morgantown is like a scorned stepson. WVU was a tradeoff in the early days of state government. The capitol was hidden on the river and very inaccessable to the public. Morgantown was too Yankee to be the state capitol and was given the University to quell its aspirations.

We have existed as 5 regions...never having any real plan for development or growth because our elected officials first priority was to fill their pockets with cash. It is still that way.

Morgantown was told point blank five years ago that they would get no road money and to do it themselves.
That will be the very best way for everybody.

The Uniontown highway is a winner for Pennsi.
Fought against every year and stalled by West Virginia.
It will be a winner for Pittsburgh and consumers, and an incredible money drain from our local economy.
Why wouldn't I want to shop or dine in that great elegant city?
And I admire Pennsi for doing that...seeing a southern regional market and going after that market.

Our relative economic stability has never come from Charleston...it has been driven by people with the name of Ruby, Greer, McQuain, Raese, Nestlerode, Adrian, Propopcuk and when a little guilt became evidient...Rockefeller.
With the exception of that last name, everyone else is a local person.
and they for the most part are Republican...

Politics means you must be in the right party to get the bene's...

Morgantown?... as far as I can see, things are pretty well handled. When certain areas have been fully developed with new housing and ANNEXED into the city, the tax base will broaden and help will be seen.

Morgantowns growth is its problem...everyone else wishes they had that same problem.

I hope this post adds some clarity to the discussion.

[CTMountaineer]

Originally Posted by Orwelleaut

47%??? Can we say "Generation Y" hell???? For anyone over 35, I don't think this would make Morgantown very inviting

Well, it makes it inviting for me. I'm buying a condo near the riverfront and am excited about the prospect and incredible opportunities available. Hiking/biking along the riverbank, town nearby, athletic and cultural events readily available with adequate and inexpensive public transportation, and the resources of a major research university and hospital all within a few minutes. For this retiree that is heaven on earth.

It makes a lot more sense than sitting someplace ruminating about what it would be like to be young again and complaining about crime rates and dying businesses. I see being around young people as a big plus.

[CTMountaineer]

Originally Posted by David Kennedy

The State decided a few years ago to pursue the gambling business. All stops were pulled out to make that happen.

All road projects were put on hold...(the exception being those funded by Sen. RC Byrd) unless they served a large gambling operation.
Money was thrown at Wheeling because of the gambling there. Money was spent in the EP because of the gambling there...and in our local area one mile of highway is being built ($51 million) to service a casino that lies ready to be assembled.

The priority of WV has been this industry and it has brought in a great deal of money until now.
Numbers are quiet because the gambling shills have not had that flux of disposable income. People are keeping a little back and the treasury deficit numbers are showing.

With this trend of declining revenue, we are expecting the coffers to dwindle in a more accelerated manner as the future unfolds.
Federal Taxation on the horizion will make gambling even less profitable for us.
A shift is being created to take everyones wealth into the Federal Government and State Governments.

As this happens, state projects will take on less and less responsibility.
Morgantown is like a scorned stepson. WVU was a tradeoff in the early days of state government. The capitol was hidden on the river and very inaccessable to the public. Morgantown was too Yankee to be the state capitol and was given the University to quell its aspirations.

We have existed as 5 regions...never having any real plan for development or growth because our elected officials first priority was to fill their pockets with cash. It is still that way.

Morgantown was told point blank five years ago that they would get no road money and to do it themselves.
That will be the very best way for everybody.

The Uniontown highway is a winner for Pennsi.
Fought against every year and stalled by West Virginia.
It will be a winner for Pittsburgh and consumers, and an incredible money drain from our local economy.
Why wouldn't I want to shop or dine in that great elegant city?
And I admire Pennsi for doing that...seeing a southern regional market and going after that market.

Our relative economic stability has never come from Charleston...it has been driven by people with the name of Ruby, Greer, McQuain, Raese, Nestlerode, Adrian, Propopcuk and when a little guilt became evidient...Rockefeller.
With the exception of that last name, everyone else is a local person.
and they for the most part are Republican...

Politics means you must be in the right party to get the bene's...

Morgantown?... as far as I can see, things are pretty well handled. When certain areas have been fully developed with new housing and ANNEXED into the city, the tax base will broaden and help will be seen.

Morgantowns growth is its problem...everyone else wishes they had that same problem.

I hope this post adds some clarity to the discussion.

Very well put. Moundsville was given the prison at about the same time Morgantown was given the University. During the tragic economic downturn in the 80s when dozens of Northern Panhandle factories were closed and their jobs shipped to cheap labor destinations overseas, the State sat on its butt and bemoaned the huge loss of their cash cow tax flow from the region, but did absolutely nothing to help. In fact, they used politics to close the prison a few years later and move it to the Governor's cousin's farm in a southern county, hurting the region even more. Every part of the state has been shortchanged by the politicos from the southern region who line their own pockets as well as those of their relatives with money they foist from the other areas. But, the times are a changin', and along with them the demographics.

It will be awhile before Northcentral and the Eastern Panhandle will be able to get their fair share, but I believe that is inevitable. They will succeed in spite of the State, and will eventually be able to make being part of the State's political structure actually a beneficial thing.

I disagree to the point that I think it would be possible to make the Mon/Fayette a positive by bringing people from the large Pittsburgh market down to Monongalia. The area has a lot to offer, and being somewhat of a bedroom community along with the other activities would not be such a bad thing. I have lived in the northern suburbs of NYC for several years, and see definite similarities. In addition, it opens up much easier access for local residents to the larger Pittsburgh labor market. I realize that the town has virtually full employment, but with growth that access could be a very valuable commodity. A light rail system linking the region together seems a natural to me.
To the comment the person made about the flagship university being a benefit provided by the State, the politicos put far too little State resources in their primary institution. They are more concerned with protecting their own little niches and thus dillute the higher education system by supporting numerous small colleges from an era when they were necessary due to transportation issues but which today are really not needed, and by pushing money at an institution that was always intended to be a regional one, and which could be a very good regional one, in lame attempts to make it like the flagship university. In the process, they harm the State in terms of making the flagship school all it truly could become.

[snorpus]

Originally Posted by WVUPharm2007

I'd be afraid of an entire generation of kids that were generally smarter than my generation, too.

Heh. How do they score on the Golden Horseshoe test?

[WVUPharm2007]

Originally Posted by snorpus

Heh. How do they score on the Golden Horseshoe test?

No idea. But its how the world works. I remember older people being amazed that I took calculus in high school...now I'm amazed that they take algebra in the 5th grade...setting them up to take calculus as sophomores. Each generation is smarter than the previous one...albeit the older ones always maintain that they are better...

[tbailey1138]

Originally Posted by WVUPharm2007

Each generation is smarter than the previous one...albeit the older ones always maintain that they are better...

I wouldn't say the older generations think they are smarter per say, just more experienced. And they are. Being younger and speaking to many older people, I think there is a lot we can learn from their experience.

[David Kennedy]

One cash cow that needs REFORM and Dismantling is the present West Virginia college system...cut these institutions down to about 6 units and umbrella them under Marshal and WVU...

Hundreds of millions could be saved...what are we seeing? A stampede to internet learning.

The present college system is certain to implode soon.

What do you do with these instituitons that are discarded? Turn them into High Schools!