The Information Technology & Innovation Foundation is out with their latest state rankings on what they call "Benchmarking Economic Transformation in the States." The study focuses on several criteria required for a thriving new economy and ranks states individually on the criteria and in aggregate.
We can't lie and say we're thrilled with West Virginia's progress. We'll end the suspense and report that WV is still picking up the rear at #49. Surrounding states such as Maryland (#3), Virginia (#7), Pennsylvania (#22), and Ohio (#30) fared much better. However, Kentucky, despite some aggressive efforts to improve scientific R&D and broadband coverage, remains near the bottom at #40.
Here are some highlights/lowlights from specific new economy rating criteria for West Virginia:
Highlights
- Non-Industry R&D - 18th
- Alternative Energy Use - 17th
- Venture Capital - 33rd (not that 33rd is great, but it's surprising we're not much lower here)
- Immigration of Knowledge Workers - 17th (good trend)
- In-migration of U.S. Knowledge Workers - 25th
- Fastest-Growing Firms - 29th
- Initial Public Offerings - 29th (Not bad, but the overall market for IPO's is way down)
Lowlights
- Inventor Patents - 49th
- Online Population - 49th
- Technology in Schools - 48th (Education Week ranked us #1 in this area, this seems odd)
- Broadband Communications - 50th (Wow)
- Health IT - 48th
- High-Tech Jobs - 49th
- Industry Investment in R&D - 47th
- IT Professionals - 46th
- Workforce Education - 49th
- "Gazelle" Jobs (Jobs in fast-growing industries, companies) - 50th
As we move into the 2nd term of our governor's administration and the dust has settled on the 2008 elections, business, communities and government must work harder to change our new economy future. The roadmap is right in front of us. These criteria are on everyone's radar. What is needed is more bold leadership to take some risks that will help us not just make tiny, incremental improvements, but some bold leaps ahead in key categories.
We're interested in your thoughts on where West Virginia stands in the new economy and how we can shake ourselves up and move much higher up in the rankings. Other small states such as New Hampshire, Idaho and North Dakota have done it. West Virginia can do it, too.
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