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ACCESS TO DATA
AssembleWV and the WVMA feel its important to know the positions of legislative candidates in an effort to help voters make informed decisions about issues that impact the manufacturing industry in West Virginia. Members can click here to register to view 2018 Legislative Candidate Survey responses*.
See the scores
AssembleWV is pleased to present the 2017-18 Legislative Scorecard for the West Virginia Manufacturers Association (WVMA). the bills used to determine scores represent issues focused on improving the state’s ability to attract and retain manufacturing investment and create jobs.
SHOW YOUR SUPPORT
Support manufacturing in West Virginia. Request stickers today and show the vital role that manufacturing in each and every community, big or small throughout West Virginia.
ABOUT ASSEMBLE WEST VIRGINIA
What is Assemble West Virginia
AssembleWV knows the vital role that manufacturing plays in each and every community, big or small, throughout West Virginia.
We believe that everyone, from the machine operator, to the small business owner, to the thousands of West Virginians who want to make manufacturing in our state everything it can be, should have a say in government policies that affect their livelihood.
We’ll let you know when issues critical to our well-being are debated at the capitol, and we’ll let you know what you can do about it.
With your help, we can make manufacturing in West Virginia as strong as it can be for our communities, our workers, and as a future economic engine for our state.
WHY DOES MANUFACTURING MATTER?
- Manufacturers in West Virginia account for over 10 percent of the total output in the state, employing over 6 percent of the workforce.
- Total output from manufacturing was $7.43 billion in 2015.
- In addition, there were 47,100 manufacturing employees in West Virginia in 2016, with an average annual compensation of $67,399 in 2015
- Manufacturers help to drive West Virginia’s economy, with $3.67 billion in manufactured goods exports in 2016.
- That same year, $1.80 billion in exports was without free trade agreement (FTA) partners.
- Manufacturing helps create jobs in the state, and 20.6 percent of manufacturing employment stemmed from exports in 2011.
- Small businesses comprise 76 percent of exporters in West Virginia.
Tax Reform
The WVMA believes that it is important to invest in the economic health of our state and supports efforts to eliminate the property tax on inventory, machinery and equipment. As one of only a few states that applies this tax it puts West Virginia at a disadvantage for significant business investment and job growth. This tax must be repealed, albeit in a responsible way which could be a phase-in approach that broadens relief to all West Virginia businesses and leads to full repeal of tangible personal property tax for all West Virginians.
Workforce Pipeline Development
West Virginia’s greatest asset is our people and a long history of work ethic and commitment to quality. Recently a changing economy has left manufacturers struggling to find the workforce to meet the demands of a technology driven manufacturing environment. The WVMA supports breaking down barriers to community and technical college and improving access to post-secondary education.
Energy Diversity
West Virginia consumers should benefit from the abundant natural resources found in West Virginia. The WVMA supports strategies to lower consumer energy costs for both residential and industrial rate payers because middle-of-the pack is just not good enough for an energy producing state. Building on our rich history of coal, it is time to incorporate natural gas fired power generation and renewable development into an all-of-the above energy portfolio