Index Finds W.Va. Faring Well Among Recession-Battered States

West Virginia entered the final months of 2009 ranked second on the Index of State Economic Momentum, a quarterly measurement of economic vitality compiled by the nonpartisan Federal Funds Information for States.

As The Associated Press reports, the ranking is West Virginia's best ever. The latest index suggests that the natural resources sector likely helps account for the state's placement.

"The state's enviable rankings -- it was eighth in March's index -- may also underscore how badly the recession has damaged the economies of most other states," AP reports. "Before this year, it had never cracked the Top 10. During 2008, it had ranked as low as 46th, and was dead last in June 2004."