Economy

The state human services agency reports more than 272,000 jobless claims in Ohio for the week ending March 28, a second straight week of record numbers as businesses grapple with effects of the pandemic.

Parkersburg and Marietta groups helping small businesses keep engaged during a difficult time for the economy.

Local development leader says she doesn't see a direct impact on business growth from the West Virginia business inventory tax.

Local financial advisor talks about stock market down due to Coronavirus

Wood and Jackson Counties received federal housing assistance and block grant money.

The city of Parkersburg will hold an open house next Thursday to discuss its comprehensive plan for the next 10 years.

Construction work is underway on two multi-unit housing units in Parkersburg, one of them for senior citizens.

The head of the Wood County Economic Development Authority says more business and industry could be on the way in 2020.

Wood County's Economic Development Director agrees a repeal of West Virginia's business and inventory tax would improve the state's business climate.

West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice will be in Williamstown Friday, to make an announcement about the long-discussed roundabout project at I-77 and Highland Avenue.

Economic Director Lindsey Piersol says several new businesses and employers are coming to Wood County and those who want to work will be able to find work.

The city of Belpre announces plans for a nursing home near Washington Boulevard and Farson Street, expected to employ 50 people.

West Virginia tax collections for the month of September show increases, although they were below projections for the first three months of the fiscal year.

Local industry leaders are optimistic about West Virginia Governor Jim Justice's appointment of a task force reacting to an anticipated expansion of the region's petrochemical industry.

Notices filed in West Virginia and Ohio reveal that 1,079 workers will lose their jobs when two hospitals are closed this fall.

Wood County's leftover money from the 2018-19 budget year was $141,000, a larger carryover than in recent years.

Clay County's only grocery store has been closed since June 24 and may never reopen.

An Italian-based manufacturer of automated storage and retrieval systems has announced that it will invest $26.5 million to establish a new manufacturing and logistics facility in Ohio

Ohioans would see lower income taxes and more money for water quality initiatives, local governments and libraries under a two-year state budget proposal introduced Tuesday in the Republican-controlled state Senate.

Ohio's liquor licensing board has approved a license for Kroger to open a liquor store near its Belpre site on Washington Boulevard.

The West Virginia Softball Tournament, now in progress in Vienna, brings money to the area and attention to the city.

Gross domestic product for the first quarter was the best start to a year since 2015.

State officials on Friday said the unemployment rate was 4.4% in March, compared with 4.6% the previous month. Ohio's unemployment rate stood at 4.5% in March 2018.

Gas prices in the MOV are inching toward the $3 mark for the first time in years, and analysts say they'll go higher as summer approaches.

The director of the Ohio Governor's Office of Appalachia tours Washington County Friday.

U.S. Senate Democrats are sponsoring a bill they say will provide tax relief to 45 million middle-income households.

The Ohio House has passed a transportation budget bill that includes increases in the state's gas and diesel taxes to help maintain roads and bridges.

Gov. Jim Justice says West Virginia has added $12.2 million in revenue to the state coffers last month.

An expert on budget and policy comes to Parkersburg to talk about whether West Virginia's economy is rebounding after the Great Recession.

Airplane traffic had increased enough during 2018 to make the Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Airport the second-busiest airport in West Virginia.