NBC: "Morgantown an economic oasis" (Fairmont, Clarksburg: mortgage, unemployment rate)

[WVUPharm2007]

Did anybody else catch this on the evening news? I about fell out of my chair.

[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.

[WVUPharm2007]

The area just got the money to connect the new 4-lane highway to Uniontown by the end of the year. That's all we need for now...that alone will open up an entire subregion for easy access to Morgantown for work. Uniontown will be considered part of the Morgantown MSA before too long...

[CTMountaineer]

That is great news about the Mon/Fayette Expressway. I agree that it will be a huge boon for the region. Another good thing about it is it is a significantly more direct route to Pittsburgh, and it gets you to the east end of the city without having to go through the tunnels and their congestion. A trip to Pittsburgh will be an easy hour.

Truthfully, they should combine Clarksburg, Fairmont, Morgantown, Uniontown, and Waynesburg into the same MSA. They really are one economic unit, and will be even more so when the expressway is completed.

[vec101]

HATE that I missed that - would have loved to DVR and saved it. Just watched it - loved it. Thanks for the heads up.

Yeaaaaa MoTown!!

But Nelly grab your musket - now that the secret is out to the nation we are going to be invaded. AliceT, where are you?

[CTMountaineer]

Actually, the invasion has been going on in Morgantown and the Eastern Panhandle for some time now, but it is picking up steam in Morgantown. Drive around the area and the evidence of it is everywhere.

[Silkdashocker]

Great story, i would have done a backflip if i had just walked by my tv and seen it live.

[GottaHerdOn]

That is a great newscast!!!

[triax10]

Where the article is off base is that there is no correlation in today's economy with unemployment rates and economic growth. The NY Times published a country wide county by county unemployment rate map about two weeks ago on its web site. High growth areas had high unemployment rates. Low growth areas with little exposure to the mortgage crisis had low unemployment rates, as well as all areas with high percentages of federal and state jobs, like Northern Virginia and all university counties. Low mortgage crisis exposure + large universiity = Morgantown. A very flattering article, but like many national new features, high on false logic.

[sr1234]

If only we could get everyone from Pittsburgh to relocate to Morgantown.