(Editorial - Graphic Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection)

Gov. Patrick Morrisey has been on quite a tour over the past few weeks as he signs legislation, makes important announcements and listens in communities all over the state. Here’s hoping he is using those visits to gain an honest understanding of where West Virginia stands against our competition in an economic Backyard Brawl.

While there are bright spots here and there, for the most part the Mountain State’s communities and counties are struggling. Backing that up is WalletHub’s “2025’s Best and Worst State Economies” report. No, we’re not dead last. We are second from the bottom.

It may come as a surprise to learn Iowa is 51st, Mississippi (44th) and Louisiana (46th) have climbed above us.

Researchers put us 38th for economic activity, 45th for economic health and 51st for innovation potential. West Virginia is 42nd in exports per capita, 48th for startup activity, 49th for the percentage of jobs in high-tech industries, 24th for change in nonfarm payrolls, 48th for government surplus/deficit per capita, 31st for unemployment rate and 51st for annual median household income.

Meanwhile, Kentucky ranks 41st overall, Maryland 9th, Ohio 36th, Pennsylvania 31st and Virginia 15th.

This is just one report of course, and we are at only the beginning of Morrisey’s term. But the numbers give a general idea of just how far we have to go.

Experts consulted by WalletHub suggested a few strategies, such as making sure government is setting up good infrastructure for businesses to operate and taking care of basics such as “safe and clean streets, reliable local services and an attitude of commitment to public service.”

But there’s something else to consider. We know how many of our young people seek opportunities for themselves and the families they may eventually raise elsewhere. That’s only part of the picture.

“One of the fundamental things that economic development officials fail to grasp is that ‘brain drain’ is not the issue. The issue is that people from outside the area are unwilling to locate their business and workers in an area because of a poor infrastructure,” said Kenneth Troske, chair of the Department of Economics at the University of Kentucky. “States and local areas need to focus on making the state or local area an attractive place for people to relocate to and not focus on holding on to people in the area. Outsiders bring new ideas and new technology that help areas thrive and grow. If you do this, then many people who leave when they are young will return later in life bringing with them ideas for how to succeed.”

One wonders how often Morrisey and lawmakers ask themselves “Is this the kind of thing that will make people want to move to West Virginia?” when considering policies and legislation.

Given the chance that the answer might be “almost never,” perhaps it’s time they start.