Create West Virginia

At first hearing, it may not have sounded like much progress was made in the elevation of the new economy in the agenda of West Virginia's current administration. After last year's "Bucks for Brains" investment, this year may have seemed to lack any new exciting commitment to growing West Virginia's innovation-based economy.

Generally speaking, you still don't get the feeling that most West Virginia leaders understand how critical it is that West Virginia leap out of 49th place in most new economy rankings, or how much more focus it will take to make this happen. However, there were some reasons for excitement, at least for the long-term. In particular, Governor Manchin proposed some important legislation that could have strategic implications for the quality of our K-12 schools. From the Governor's speech: 

"The School Innovation Zones Bill will give teachers, principals and school communities greater control over critical education factors that affect student achievement. This bill will allow school staff to implement improvement strategies that currently are restrained by State Board of Education policies or antiquated state law."

If this legislation passes without getting diluted in its goal towards unshackling school districts who want to find innovative new ways to prepare students for 21st Century opportunities, it could be a major milestone in West Virginia's ability to develop innovation-minded student districts that could attract families who are seeking breakthrough learning opportunities for their children.

In addition, the Governor introduced his goal for proficiency requirements at third and eight grade levels. If a student can't demonstrate basic mastery over skills they should have developed by that time, they cannot move on. It seems like a no-brainer, but apparently many students continue to move through the system without these basic skills.

Additional proposals have new economy growth implications, especially the Alternative and Renewable Energy Portfolio Act. It will "require beginning in 2015 that at least 10 percent of the electric energy sold to electric customers must be generated by alternative or renewable energy sources. By 2025, 25 percent of electricity sold in West Virginia would be required to be generated from alternative or renewable energy facilities.  It also would require electric utility companies to provide net metering to residential, small business and industrial customers who generate their own electricity."

This could stimulate some momentum behind building a "green" economy in the state. Hopefully, a good chunk of this investment and innovation can be grown from West Virginia-based entrepreneurs.

West Virginia is in a better place than most states in terms of state budgetary issues. However, that shouldn't deter us from remembering how far we have to go in terms of average income, entrepreneurship rates, educational attainment and other key criteria that factor into an improved quality of life for everyone in the Mountain State. Developing an innovation-based, entrepreneurial (creative) economy continues to be the most likely path towards long-term prosperity, even in these challenging economic times.