For those who don’t think a state’s business climate matters, just look to the Northern Panhandle where a long-time West Virginia business is willing to move across the river for lower business expenses. News out of Wheeling is that Huffner Contracting, which has been headquartered in West Virginia for more than 40 years, is moving across the Ohio River for a better deal. One of the reasons cited for the move is a “huge reduction in business operating expenses in the state of Ohio.”

Can you blame Huffner Contracting? West Virginia ranks as the worst state in the nation in which to do business. Until our Legislature enacts much needed reforms, including civil justice and tax reforms, West Virginia will continue to lose jobs to our neigbhor states. If a company located in West Virginia for decades is willing to move just across the border for a better business climate, imagine the deterring effect our state’s broken business and legal climates have on employers looking to bring good-paying jobs to a state.

Click here to read more on Huffner’s decision to relocate.

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