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Op-Ed: Kaylin Jorge: A place to belong, a future to build: The business case for quality of life

June 19, 2025

There’s something about West Virginia that draws you in—a sense of belonging that makes you feel at home, even if you’re not originally from here. I’ll be the first to admit that when I arrived from Upstate New York, I didn’t know what to expect. What I found, though, was a state brimming with opportunity, community and willing to welcome newcomers like me with open arms — and a healthy dose of Appalachian hospitality.

My journey in West Virginia brought me to earning a bachelor’s degree, something that I hadn’t dreamed of at the time. It’s where I met my husband (also a transplant from Miami) and launched my professional career. Like many young people, we initially left, seeking better opportunities in places like Nashville. But better opportunity and a sense of community drew us back to a place we now proudly call home.

That’s why I was surprised to learn that West Virginia is the only state with a smaller population now than in 1950. Looking deeper into the numbers, it’s startling. In 1950, West Virginia had over 2 million people. Today, we’re just over 1.7 million, a decline of approximately 235,000 residents. This decline can be attributed to several factors: an aging population, more deaths than births and historically, out-migration for economic reasons.

However, recent trends offer a glimmer of hope. For the past two years, West Virginia has experienced positive net migration, meaning more people are moving into the state than leaving. While the numbers are modest — an increase of 1,000 people in 2021 and 2,000 in 2022 — it’s a significant reversal of a long-standing trend. This suggests that something is changing, and we have an opportunity to capitalize on it.

Today, quality of life has become one of the most powerful drivers of economic competitiveness. Public safety, parks and trails, good roads, reliable broadband and a work-life balance aren’t extras; they’re essentials. Communities thrive when people feel safe, connected and supported. Businesses grow when infrastructure is strong, and workers stay when their families have access to quality amenities. The business case for enhancing quality of life is stronger than ever.

Yet, across West Virginia, we see communities struggling to maintain these basics. Local governments are stretched thin, roads and water systems need repairs and some areas still lack high-speed internet or dependable emergency services. These challenges limit our ability to attract talent and investment.

If we want to grow our population, bring in new businesses and retain our workforce, we must make targeted investments in the things that make life better.

Expanding access to parks, trails and outdoor amenities is essential, and it’s something I deeply appreciate about West Virginia. Because truly, is there anything better than the view from Bear Rocks, Hawk’s Nest, the New River Gorge, or Spruce Knob?

Yet, across West Virginia, we see communities struggling to maintain these basics. Local governments are stretched thin, roads and water systems need repairs and some areas still lack high-speed internet or dependable emergency services. These challenges limit our ability to attract talent and investment.

If we want to grow our population, bring in new businesses and retain our workforce, we must make targeted investments in the things that make life better.

Expanding access to parks, trails and outdoor amenities is essential, and it’s something I deeply appreciate about West Virginia. Because truly, is there anything better than the view from Bear Rocks, Hawk’s Nest, the New River Gorge, or Spruce Knob?

Yet, across West Virginia, we see communities struggling to maintain these basics. Local governments are stretched thin, roads and water systems need repairs and some areas still lack high-speed internet or dependable emergency services. These challenges limit our ability to attract talent and investment.

If we want to grow our population, bring in new businesses and retain our workforce, we must make targeted investments in the things that make life better.

Expanding access to parks, trails and outdoor amenities is essential, and it’s something I deeply appreciate about West Virginia. Because truly, is there anything better than the view from Bear Rocks, Hawk’s Nest, the New River Gorge, or Spruce Knob?

Yet, across West Virginia, we see communities struggling to maintain these basics. Local governments are stretched thin, roads and water systems need repairs and some areas still lack high-speed internet or dependable emergency services. These challenges limit our ability to attract talent and investment.

If we want to grow our population, bring in new businesses and retain our workforce, we must make targeted investments in the things that make life better.

Expanding access to parks, trails and outdoor amenities is essential, and it’s something I deeply appreciate about West Virginia. Because truly, is there anything better than the view from Bear Rocks, Hawk’s Nest, the New River Gorge, or Spruce Knob?

Tomorrow’s jobs will go where people want to live, and we have every reason to make sure that place is West Virginia.

Story by Kaylin Jorge, Chief Communications, Development & Policy Officer for the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce.

Read the Original Story

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