John Bias knows that too well. The only thing keeping me here is my family. If I can t find a job soon, I ll have to move. The state is trying to diversify. But in areas like the coal fields, it is a Herculean task.
Flat land is rare.
Developing that land for a new company or industry is exceedingly expensive. Highways must be built. Water and sewer lines must be installed. And it must happen in the state s most mountainous terrain. It all takes a lot of time, said John Snider, executive director of the West Virginia Development Office.