Oklahoma State Dish (Recipe)
Barbecued Pork (Official State Meal/Main Dish) Barbecued Pork In Oklahoma, barbecue pork is a common staple for family meals, summer celebrations, and political and association events. Barbecue restaurants and "pig stands" are common. Barbecued pork has been a popular meal in Oklahoma since well before statehood. Potato salad, baked beans, coleslaw, sliced raw onions, and pickles usually complete the meal. Recipe Serves 4–5 INGREDIENTS 1 rack ribs Barbecue sauce: 2 1/2 cups (600 ml) ketchup 1/4 cup (60 ml) packed brown sugar 1 onion, chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced 1/4 cup (60 ml) vegetable oil 2 tbsp (30 ml) Worcestershire sauce 1 tsp (5 ml) hot pepper sauce 1/2 tsp (2.5 ml) pepper INSTRUCTIONS Mix all sauce ingredients in a nonreactive saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from heat and set aside or refrigerate until needed. Fill a smoker with hickory wood and heat to 210–220°F (100–105°C). Pat the whole rack of ribs dry using paper towels. Place the rack meat-side down on the counter. With a sharp knife, loosen a corner of the membrane that covers the bones and remove. Rinse and dry the meat. Place on grill, cover, and cook until tender, turning occasionally so that the meat cooks evenly. Cut into serving portions and serve with sauce on the side. VARIATIONS Up to 1/4 cup (60 ml) apple or pineapple juice can be added to the barbecue sauce with the other ingredients. 1 tsp (5 ml) cayenne and 2 tbsp (30 ml) cider vinegar can be substituted for hot sauce.

Oklahoma Cuisine
Cattle and wheat are major agricultural products in Oklahoma, and both make it to the table regularly in the state. Grilled brisket, often with a sweet ketchup–brown sugar–apple cider sauce, is a popular way to feed a big group. Meatloaf is a dinnertime staple much the same as elsewhere in the U.S., but a sweet glaze is almost obligatory in Oklahoma. Chili-like beef-based soups and stews are regular fare, often served with cornbread or in a hamburger bun to make a sort of sloppy Joe. A chili-like dip made from ground beef, spicy sausage, onion, processed cheese, and tomatoes is a popular party starter, served with corn chips. The "caviar" salad, made from black-eyed peas common across the South, has hominy or corn added along with peppers, tomatoes, and spices, and also serves as a dip with chips in Oklahoma. Black-eyed peas and beef in a creamy cheese sauce, layered with tortillas, is a popular winter casserole. The state government saw fit to define a state menu that includes both barbecued pork and chicken fried steak, fried okra, squash, black-eyed peas, cornbread, biscuits, sausage and gravy, grits, corn, strawberries, and pecan pie. Watermelon is, inexplicably, the state vegetable, but it's also a favorite summertime snack and addition to fruit salads. Chicken-fried steak—steaks pounded thin, coated with a buttermilk breading and fried—is a favorite shared with neighboring Texas, and many of the state's side dishes definitely lean toward the South rather than middle America. Cucumbers or pickles coated with breadcrumbs and deep-fried are a popular snack. Cornbread is particularly popular and accompanies everyday meals. For special occasions, it gets baked with sausage, onions, and herbs. Candy bar pie, crushed chocolate bars mixed with a cream cheese filling in a graham cracker crust, is a popular summer dessert. Dirt cake, usually made with crushed chocolate cookies and pudding, is a popular quick dessert, especially with families. Mud cake is a slightly more refined confection. It's a rich chocolate cake with coconut and pecans that's baked in a flat pan, soaked with store-bought marshmallow fluff and frosted with a cocoa icing. -World Trade Press
	Barbecued Steak Homemade Chili Watermelon Black-eyed Peas Cucumbers Ready to Harvest

Oklahoma State Flag Variations in B/W
	OUTLINE FLAG OF OKLAHOMA ON FLAGPOLE DOWNLOAD OPTIONS: JPG (96dpi image) Recommended for web or Powerpoint use TIFF (300 dpi image) Recommended for letter sized print PDF (Vector image) Recommended for oversized print
	WAVING OUTLINE FLAG OF OKLAHOMA DOWNLOAD OPTIONS: JPG (96dpi image) Recommended for web or Powerpoint use TIFF (300 dpi image) Recommended for letter sized print PDF (Vector image) Recommended for oversized print
	WAVING OUTLINE FLAG OF OKLAHOMA ON FLAGPOLE DOWNLOAD OPTIONS: JPG (96dpi image) Recommended for web or Powerpoint use TIFF (300 dpi image) Recommended for letter sized print PDF (Vector image) Recommended for oversized print
	OUTLINE FLAG OF OKLAHOMA DOWNLOAD OPTIONS: JPG (96dpi image) Recommended for web or Powerpoint use TIFF (300 dpi image) Recommended for letter sized print PDF (Vector image) Recommended for oversized print

Oklahoma State Flag: History, Design, Trivia
DATE FIRST USED   Oklahoma State Flag 1925 NICKNAME(S) None DESIGN ELEMENTS Blue with an Osage buffalo-skin shield decorated with six painted crosses and seven eagle feathers and crossed with a calumet and an olive branch. The word "Oklahoma" centers underneath the shield. Symbols: Shield, calumet, olive branch, stylized stars, and eagle feathers. The shield symbolizes self-defense and the state's Native American heritage. The calumet, also known as a peace pipe, is a traditional symbol of peace for the Native American peoples of Oklahoma, as the olive branch is a symbol of peace for Europeans. The two crossed in front of the shield stand for peaceful unity between natives and those of European descent in the state. The crosses on the shield are old Native American star symbols and show high aspirations. Because eagles fly so high, native cultures view them as a link between heaven and the world, and consider eagle feathers sacred. Colors: French blue, amber, gold brown, red, flesh, green, and brown. The flag's field, officially defined as French blue, PMS285c, symbolizes loyalty. The remaining colors either create a realistic picture or provide contrast. Oklahoma law defines the other colors as amber, PMS465c, for the shield; gold brown, PMS174c, for the thongs and crosses and shading on feathers; ruby red, PMS195c, for the tassel and the pipe's bowl; flesh, PMS468c, for the rest of the pipe and shading on feathers; Dartmouth green, PMS554c, for the olive branch; and brown, PMS469C, for the outlines in the artwork. Proportions: 2:3 Variations: None HISTORY Oklahoma became a state in 1907 and adopted its first state flag in 1911. Unfortunately, that flag proved unpopular with Oklahomans. It was red with a white star edged with blue in the center and the number 46 in blue in the star, to show that Oklahoma was the 46th state admitted to the Union. This bright, simple flag might have flown for some time, but it was widely known that Vladimir Lenin and his Bolsheviks were using red emblems and five-pointed stars as identifiers in Russia at the time. Soldiers in Oklahoma particularly disliked the state flag, to the point where it earned the nickname "socialist rag." Those who didn't immediately associate this red flag with socialism often thought it looked like a quarantine flag. In 1924, the Daughters of the American Revolution sponsored a contest to see if they could choose a more popular design for the Oklahoma flag. The contest winner was Louise Funk Fluke, who had lived in the state most of her life and had studied art at Columbia University and the Chicago Art Institute. Before submitting her design, Fluke reviewed Oklahoma history and consulted the state's historical society to help her choose symbols that represented the state's past and goals. The legislature approved the flag in March 1925. In 1941, the word Oklahoma was added to the flag. This was a controversial move. Advocates of the change thought the flag needed an additional identifier, especially when seen at a distance. Opponents argued that the design was strong and clearly represented the state, so no word should be needed as a further identifier. Nevertheless, the name was added. Later, in 1988, the colors on the flag were changed slightly and clearly defined to eliminate color variations that had become common among different manufacturers. PROPER USES In Oklahoma, the state flag usually flies at public offices, agencies, and institutions, particularly at main buildings. Schools fly the flag every day that school is in session. However, the flag is not usually hoisted when weather is bad or on Sundays. Citizens who fly the state flag are encouraged to observe the usual flag etiquette when they do so. It is generally recommended that state flags be treated with the same care and reverence as the national flag, though the national flag always takes precedence. When the two are hoisted on the same flagpole, the national flag flies above the Oklahoma flag. When they fly on separate poles, the Oklahoma flag is hoisted after and lowered before the national flag. The Oklahoma flag should also fly at the same level as or lower than the national flag. Approved flag etiquette suggests that the Oklahoma flag should not touch the ground, even during hoisting or lowering, and should hang or fly clear of the ground, the floor, or anything underneath it. It is preferred that the flag not be publicly torn or marked and that damaged flags should not fly. Flags that become too dirty or tattered to display should be replaced and disposed of privately, usually by burning. LEGENDS, CONTROVERSIES, AND TRIVIA Though the Oklahoma flag is not one of the very many state-seal-on-blue-ground flags so disliked by vexillologists, many viewers have trouble distinguishing it from flags in this category. Louise Funk Fluke is sometimes called Oklahoma's Betsy Ross.

Oklahoma GDP by State and Industry

The data shown below are for 2008. Figures are in millions of current dollars. All industry total 151,406   Private industries 126,418       Agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting 2,314           Crop and animal production (Farms) 2,074           Forestry, fishing, and related activities 241       Mining 19,440           Oil and gas extraction 14,429           Mining, except oil and gas 331           Support activities for mining 4,680       Utilities 3,627       Construction 5,366       Manufacturing 18,543           Durable goods 10,008               Wood product manufacturing 176               Nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing 669               Primary metal manufacturing 394               Fabricated metal product manufacturing 2,284               Machinery manufacturing 3,642               Computer and electronic product manufacturing 620               Electrical equipment and appliance manufacturing 309               Motor vehicle, body, trailer, and parts manufacturing 694               Other transportation equipment manufacturing 577               Furniture and related product manufacturing 162               Miscellaneous manufacturing 480           Nondurable goods 8,535               Food product manufacturing 1,756               Textile and textile product mills 26               Apparel manufacturing 257               Paper manufacturing 578               Printing and related support activities 182               Petroleum and coal products manufacturing 3,850               Chemical manufacturing 861               Plastics and rubber products manufacturing 1,025       Wholesale trade 7,400       Retail trade 9,315       Transportation and warehousing, excluding Postal Service 4,761           Air transportation 768           Rail transportation 521           Water transportation 1           Truck transportation 1,735           Transit and ground passenger transportation 53           Pipeline transportation 721           Other transportation and support activities 764           Warehousing and storage 197       Information 4,258           Publishing including software 639           Motion picture and sound recording industries 112           Broadcasting and telecommunications 3,283           Information and data processing services 224       Finance and insurance 6,770           Federal Reserve banks, credit intermediation and related services 3,376           Securities, commodity contracts, investments 463           Insurance carriers and related activities 2,825           Funds, trusts, and other financial vehicles 106       Real estate and rental and leasing 14,254           Real estate 10,332           Rental and leasing services and lessors of intangible assets 3,922       Professional and technical services 6,267           Legal services 1,343           Computer systems design and related services 628           Other professional, scientific and technical services 4,296       Management of companies and enterprises 1,252       Administrative and waste services 4,684           Administrative and support services 4,427           Waste management and remediation services 256       Educational services 753       Health care and social assistance 9,394           Ambulatory health care services 4,708           Hospitals and nursing and residential care facilities 3,913           Social assistance 772       Arts, entertainment, and recreation 924           Performing arts, museums, and related activities 224           Amusement, gambling, and recreation 700       Accommodation and food services 3,561           Accommodation 478           Food services and drinking places 3,084       Other services, except government 3,534   Government 24,988       Federal civilian 4,583       Federal military 3,162       State and local 17,242

Oklahoma Economic Overview

INTRODUCTION  Oklahoma City Although Oklahoma is a major center for agriculture, oil, and natural gas, it is government, with 332,700 workers, that is the largest employer in the state. Between 2000 and 2006, Oklahoma’s gross state product (GSP) grew almost 11 percent from $122.5 billion to $134.6 billion, ranking it the fastest growing state in the country. Oklahoma's average per capita income is $38,516. On the down side, Oklahomans experience some 50 costly tornadoes annually, one of the highest numbers worldwide. A record-setting tornado in 1999 killed 44 people and caused about $1 billion in damage. ECONOMIC HISTORY During the first half of the 19th century, the "Five Civilized Tribes" lived in what was known as Indian Territory, engaging in a mainly natural resource-based economy. Migrating from the South, the Native Americans had adopted slavery, which served as a supply of labor for slave-owning Indians. During much of the 1800s, cattle ranching was a leading industry, and cowboys drove herds of cattle across the western portion of the state. Following the Civil War, there was rapid economic expansion in the eastern part of the state due to railroad construction, the growth of the timber and coal mining industries, and the increased immigration of white settlers. Shortly after Oklahoma became a state in 1907, oil was discovered, and the city of Tulsa became known as the "oil capital of the world." After around 1910, farming and ranching declined in importance. Employment in agriculture fell from 70 to 37 percent, while trade and technical jobs increased, particularly in petroleum refining, meat packing, and cotton processing. It is estimated that from 1900 to 1919, total personal income grew from $90 million to $1 billion. The economy thrived until the 1930s, when drought struck and many bankrupt farmers migrated westward. The Great Depression was followed by a recovery due to the boom economy of World War II, which continued through the restructuring of the farm economy in the next decade. In the 1950s, efforts were made to conserve water and soil, and hundreds of man-made lakes and reservoirs were created. By the 1960s and early 1970s, Oklahoma’s economy had diversified and manufacturing had expanded. Manufacturing employment increased from 65,600 in 1950 to 86,600 in 1960, and some 65,000 new manufacturing jobs were added between 1960 and 1973. The price of Oklahoma crude oil increased by a factor of 10 between 1972 and 1981, in line with OPEC. Oil continued to play a major role in the economy of the state until the 1980s, when rising OPEC oil prices led to almost 90,000 energy-related jobs being lost. From some 34,000 oil workers in the early 1970s, employment in Oklahoma’s oil industry peaked at 102,000 in 1981 and plummeted to about 40,000 in the late 1980s, as oil prices fell by nearly 50 percent. Nevertheless, the state's diversified economy weathered the collapse, with nonfarm employment increasing by some 400,000 from 1986 to 2002. Oklahoma's 12.3 percent manufacturing ratio is only slightly lower than the national 14 percent. On the other hand, government employment accounts for about 19 percent of nonfarm jobs in Oklahoma, compared to 15.6 percent for the nation overall. AGRICULTURE Some 86,600 farms in Oklahoma provide $5.8 billion worth of crops and livestock. Leading products are cattle and calves, at $3 billion, ranking the state fifth in the country. The state also ranks fifth in the growing of wheat, worth $1 billion annually. Other leading products are poultry and eggs, at around $749 million, and hogs and pigs, at $555 million. Milk and dairy products from cows account for another $191 million. The nursery and greenhouse sector generates $204 million, and other crops and hay bring in $173 million. BANKING AND FINANCE There are roughly 250 banking institutions in Oklahoma, with total combined assets of more than $79 billion. The largest concentrations of banks and assets are in Oklahoma City and Tulsa, the biggest cities in the state, where some 60 percent of the population live. Approximately 80,000 people work in financial activities in the state. COMMUNICATIONS Some 50 newspapers are published in Oklahoma, including one in the Cherokee language, and 17 television stations and 218 radio stations broadcast in the state. Oklahoma is served by 65 telephone companies and cooperatives, with Southwestern Bell Telephone Company alone employing almost 4,000 workers. CONSTRUCTION Construction of the Bank of Oklahoma (BOK) Center in Tulsa Oklahoma ranks fifth in the country in amount of annual permits issued for single-family home construction. There are around 75,200 workers employed in the state’s construction industry, down from a high of 77,000 in 2008. Nonresidential spending in Oklahoma accounts for about $6.2 billion yearly and contributes $15 billion to the gross state product. EDUCATION Roughly 654,500 students are enrolled in Oklahoma’s 1,850 kindergarten, elementary, and secondary public schools. More Native American students are enrolled in schools in this state than anywhere else in the country. Oklahoma ranks 46th in the country in terms of expenditures per student, with an annual average of $7,615, and 42nd in average annual teacher salary, $43,551. Oklahoma State University, with 32,030 students, 1,860 faculty members, and an endowment of $314 million, is the largest university in the state. It is followed by the University of Oklahoma, with 29,930 students, 2,940 faculty members, and an endowment of $848 million. ENERGY Some of the country’s largest oil and gas fields are located in this state, with small coal deposits in the eastern part. The industrial sector accounts for the highest consumption of energy. Oklahoma produces around 10 percent of the country’s gas and operates five petroleum refineries. More than half (57 percent) of Oklahoma’s electricity is generated from coal, followed by 37 percent from natural gas, four percent from hydroelectric sources, and the rest from renewable energy. Since the state is ranked eighth in wind energy potential, it is hoped that the development of this sector will reduce the country’s dependence on foreign oil. ENTERTAINMENT Oklahoma Sooners Football Similar to many other states, Oklahoma’s film office offers various incentives to attract filming companies, such as up to 37 percent in rebates on expenditures. There are more than 82 casinos in the state, some of them run by Native Americans, as well as horse racing. Racetrack casinos employ some 1,000 workers and generate gross revenues of more than $92 million. About 58 percent of this is retained by the operators of the casinos, while $13.33 million goes to state and local governments and is mainly used for education. INSURANCE Almost 19 percent of Oklahoma’s residents lack health insurance. More than 5,500 insurance companies and agents operate in the state, with Oklahoma City having the most, at more than 1,200. In 2008, there were around 10,000 agents and brokers employed in the insurance sector in Oklahoma. Some $5.5 billion of premiums are written annually, with automobile insurance accounting for $2.1 billion. Oklahoma’s Department of Insurance collects roughly $160 million in premium taxes, which helps fund its budget of $12 million, including salaries for its 120 employees, who deal with more than 43,800 complaints and inquiries annually. MANUFACTURING Oklahoma has around 6,000 manufacturers, whose nearly 204,600 employees produce some $39 billion worth of goods each year. The largest manufacturing sectors are industrial machinery and equipment (34,571 jobs), fabricated metal products (24,610 jobs), and food products (around 21,600 jobs). Tulsa is the city with the most manufacturing jobs, followed by Oklahoma City. Tire manufacturers Michelin (1,848 employees) and Goodyear are based in this state. MINING AND EXTRACTION Around 245 mining operations in Oklahoma provide direct employment for 3,530 miners, at an average annual salary of $44,000, which is around 24 percent higher than the average state wage. Total earnings from mining are $150 million, and some $730 million worth of minerals, metals, and fuel products are extracted annually. Approximately 580 miners produce $40 million worth of coal, while the non-metallic mining sector employs 4,500 miners who extract minerals worth $570 million annually. NONPROFIT There are 22,168 tax exempt/nonprofit organizations in the state of Oklahoma with total assets of $35 billion and income of $25.8 billion. The highest amount of income reported from one of these organizations is $2.6 billion, but the average amount is $3.6 million. Of these organizations, 8,741 are charitable organizations, 3,573 are religious organizations, 3,509 are educational organizations, and the rest are others such as social and welfare organizations. RETAIL Roughly 14,000 retail stores do business in Oklahoma, with total sales of $32 billion. Some 168,300 employees work in the sector, at a combined total payroll of $3.1 billion. As in many states in the country, Walmart is a strong presence, with 75 supercenters, 11 discount stores, and 17 neighborhood markets. Around 32,000 employees work in Oklahoma Walmart stores, earning an average hourly wage of $10.91. Walmart collects sales tax of approximately $521.4 million annually and pays more than $33 million in state corporate taxes. TECHNOLOGY  Electromagnetics and Microphysics Lab at the University of Oklahoma Oklahoma is involved in attracting new high-tech firms to the state in order to boost its economy. To this end, it offers state-funded awards (more than $9.6 million) to finance the commercializing of advanced technology and seed capital funds of $250,000 to $700,000. The sector generates some $130 million in revenues and pays nearly $40 million worth of annual payroll. The average annual salary in technology is $60,000. The biotechnology and nanotechnology sectors have an annual impact of more than $3.4 billion on the state economy. The Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, with an annual budget of $40 million and 650 employees, has filed for more than 600 U.S. and international patents for its biomedical products, and the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, with more than 360 employees, is the largest private foundation conducting plant science and agricultural research in the nation. The Presbyterian Health Foundation Research Park hosts 25 companies with some 1,000 employees and an annual payroll of $50 million. TRANSPORTATION Red Earth Festival Three interstate highways, four auxiliary highways, and 10 turnpikes are part of Oklahoma’s 12,000-mile road system. The largest commercial airport in the state is Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City, which handles about 3.4 million passengers, 14.5 tons of mail, and 33,000 tons of freight annually. Tulsa International Airport services some 3 million passengers annually and is the home base of the 138th Fighter Wing of the Air National Guard. Amtrak provides service to the state, and Oklahoma City and Tulsa run mass transit bus systems. TRAVEL AND TOURISM Oklahoma’s tourism industry generates around $5.3 billion annually and provides jobs for almost 72,000 residents, who earn a combined payroll of $1.6 billion. Visitors to Oklahoma County account for $1.8 billion, followed by Tulsa County, with $1.3 billion. Attractions include museums, safaris, mountain bike trails, golf courses, and historic sites with reenactments of famous battles. In addition, rodeos and the Red Earth Festival (the largest Native American festival in the country) also draw visitors. SPECIAL INDUSTRIES Advanced Doppler Weather Radar at the University of Oklahoma's Atmospheric Radar Research Center (ARRC) Oklahoma is home to a growing weather industry, with weather research, weather-related commercial ventures, and education programs for training future leaders in the weather industry. The Oklahoma University School of Meteorology is the largest such program in the country, with almost 300 students, and ranks first in severe storm research. Some 700 employees work in the city of Norman, with 25 of them employed by an office of Weathernews Americas, Inc., the largest publicly traded full-service weather company in the world. The National Weather Center and the Weather Sphere, located on the campus of Oklahoma University, have helped the state become the world’s top atmospheric observatory. The National Weather Center spends around $60 million annually, with an economic impact on the GSP of $100 million. Other weather-related companies, such as Vieux & Associates, Inc., WeatherBank, and Weather Decision Technologies also have their home in the state.

West Virginia Economic Overview

INTRODUCTION  Dolly Sods Wilderness Area Home to rich coal reserves, West Virginia is among the nation’s leading producers of bituminous coal. Farming is limited due to the mountainous terrain that covers most of the state. Apples, peaches, hay, corn, and tobacco are the principal crops, but broiler chickens, cattle, and dairy products generate the most agricultural revenue. Glass, chemical, and high-tech industries are concentrated in the Ohio and Kanawha river valleys and in the "High Technology Corridor" along Interstate 79. Other manufactures include primary and fabricated metals and machinery. About two thirds of West Virginia is covered by forest, which supplies the lumber industry with valuable hardwoods. Since the 1960s a number of federal offices and facilities have been established in West Virginia, and government service is a growing employment sector. West Virginia's gross state product is $61.7 billion and average per capita income is roughly $31,000. ECONOMIC HISTORY Explorers and fur traders settled the area of West Virginia in the late 17th century. By 1726, settlers began filtering into the Shenandoah Valley, and by the 1740s, the eastern panhandle supported blacksmithing and grist milling industries, as well as an iron furnace that produced pig iron. Population growth and prosperity increased with the opening of the Mississippi River with the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. Its tributary, the Ohio River, flowed through West Virginia and was a primary migration route during the westward development of the early United States. In 1818 the expansion and improvement of river commerce was complemented by the opening of the National Road at Wheeling. In 1872, when the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway began service across the state to Huntington on the Ohio River, the New River Coal Field became commercially accessible. The availability of bituminous coal stimulated industry in the state and fueled much of the Industrial Revolution in the U.S., as well as the growing international steamship commerce. After the Civil War, the railroads were used to transport coal to expanding U.S. and export markets. West Virginia limestone supported a quarry industry, which was used for agricultural and construction purposes. During World War I, West Virginia's chemical industry was founded. The Great Depression hit West Virginia especially hard. The Appalachian region was already economically depressed due to the concentration on extractive industries such as coal mining, oil and gas production, and lumbering. The Depression brought a 40 percent reduction in coal production and other industries, which meant a devastating rise in unemployment. World War II brought a boom period to the state’s mines and steel mills, and its chemical industry expanded. In the 1970s, West Virginia's coal-based economy profited as energy prices rose, but in the 1980s prices declined and employment in the mines suffered, as the state entered one of the worst economic periods in its history. The economy began to recover in 1990 due to foreign investment and an expanding tourist industry. AGRICULTURE Developing Blight-resistant Pears at Appalachian Fruit Research Station in Kearneysville Livestock products dominate West Virginia’s agricultural industry, and the leading products are broilers, cattle and calves, chicken, eggs, and dairy products. Other livestock include turkeys, sheep and lambs, and hogs. The top crop is hay, grown as feed for livestock. Other crops are apples, corn for grain, soybeans, and tobacco. More than 23,000 farms each generate about $3 million in annual revenues, for an annual total market value of nearly $600 million a year. This includes $421 million in livestock revenue, $108 million in crops sales, and $62 million in forest products. The aquaculture sector generates $3.4 million, including $800,000 in trout sales. BANKING AND FINANCIAL SERVICES The banking industry supports annual salaries of some $300 million to employees of state and national banks in West Virginia. Annual revenue from 140 credit intermediation businesses and related activities amounts to some $5.3 million. More than 60 firms working in securities and commodity contracts intermediation, brokerage, and investment banking generate about $29 million in annual revenue. COMMUNICATIONS West Virginia’s communications industry generates revenue of about $16 million and employs more than 10,000 workers. This includes 260 publishing establishments that bring in revenue of around $4.6 million and 66 broadcasting firms contributing nearly $2.7 million. Also included are 125 telecommunications businesses generating annual revenue of some $4.2 million and 140 data processing, hosting, and related services that account for annual revenue of about $2.3 million. In addition, there are 180 other information services contributing almost $4 million to the state economy. CONSTRUCTION Concord University in Athens The West Virginia construction industry supports about 66,000 jobs through direct and indirect outlays on nonresidential building. The industry (residential plus nonresidential) directly employs about 35,000 workers. The yearly value of nonresidential construction spending is approximately $3.2 billion, which contributes some $6.2 billion to the gross state product. Annual payroll of all construction workers is about $1.4 billion. Of the construction firms in West Virginia, the majority (about 5,000) are small businesses with fewer than 20 employees. EDUCATION West Virginia’s public educational system includes more than 280,000 pupils enrolled in 820 public schools and 130 private schools. Public school expenditures are about $7,400 per student annually, with a student teacher ratio of 12:1. Public school teachers in the state earn an average annual salary of about $50,000, out of total public school expenditure of some $1.8 billion. There are two four-year public universities, five private colleges, and 11 community and/or technical colleges in West Virginia. The state expends some $580 million on higher education. The nearly 180,000 workers employed in the education industry comprise an annual payroll of nearly $8.8 billion. ENERGY Coal-fired plants account for nearly all of the electricity generated in West Virginia. West Virginia exports more electricity than any other state, most of which is produced from coal. There are six major coal mines and one petroleum refinery in the state. Together they power five non-nuclear electricity-generating plants. West Virginia ranks second in the nation in the interstate sale of electricity. Annual revenue created by the electricity sector is $1.9 billion. Generating Electricity at Summersville Dam near Summersville ENTERTAINMENT More than 40 movie productions a year are filmed in West Virginia, attracted by state incentives which translate into year-round employment for hundreds of residents. There are about 130 motion picture and sound recording businesses that are responsible for about $2.2 million in annual revenue, with motion picture and video companies reporting revenue of just over $1 million, and sound recording firms that bring in $1.2 million. There are nearly 190 performing arts companies that generate revenue of more than $2.7 million. INSURANCE West Virginia is home to more than 1,200 insurance agencies and brokerages, generating annual revenue of $50.2 million. There are approximately 12,400 insurance carriers responsible for an annual payroll of $451 million. About $2.7 billion worth of direct premiums in the property and casualty sector are written each year. Premiums written by life and health insurance firms are about $3 billion, claims payments reach close to $1.6 billion, and benefit payouts reach nearly $1.9 billion. Other activities related to the insurance industry generate about $14.2 million from 560 establishments. The three largest writers of commercial property/casualty insurance are Brickstreet Mutual Insurance Co. ($424 million), Travelers Group ($97 million), and American International Group ($74 million). MANUFACTURING The top manufactured products in West Virginia are derived from the chemical sector and include such items as adhesives, industrial chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and plastics. Primary metals (such as tin plate, sheet steel, structural steel, and aluminum) take second place, and third is lumber production. Other manufactured products include transportation equipment and stone, clay, and glass products. The 1,400 manufacturing establishments produce an annual output valued at $6.6 billion. Of that revenue, chemicals represent $2.3 billion, primary metal products $800 million, wood products $500 million, fabricated metal $500 million, motor vehicles and parts $400 million, aerospace and other transportation products $400 million, nonmetallic mineral products $300 million, plastics and rubber products $300 million, food products $200 million, and medical equipment and other related products $200 million. The manufacturing industry employs some 56,000 workers and supports an annual payroll of around $3.6 billion. MINING AND EXTRACTION Coal Mining in West Virginia West Virginia is the largest coal producer east of the Mississippi River and accounts for one tenth of the coal mined in the U.S. It is the national leader in coal production from underground mines. West Virginia’s recoverable coal reserves are the second largest in the country. Its natural gas production is minimal, and its annual crude oil production accounts for less than one percent of the total national output. The coal-mining industry generates more than $8 billion a year in economic benefits. Annual payroll for all coal miners is some $2 billion. Other minerals produced include crushed stone, sand and gravel, and salt. NONPROFITS West Virginia is home to more than 11,000 nonprofit establishments, and one out of 12 West Virginia residents are employed in the nonprofit industry. Health charities comprise the largest sector in public charities, generating annual revenue of $4.8 billion. Educational public charities, with revenue of $559 million, represent the second largest public charity sector, and human services is third, with $417 million in revenue. Of other nonprofit organizations, state-sponsored workers' compensation reinsurance is the largest, with annual revenue of $646 million, followed by benevolent life insurance associations, with $21 million revenue. West Virginia’s private foundations generate revenue of $132 million. RETAIL There are more than 10,000 retail establishments in West Virginia, employing some 142,000 workers and supporting a yearly payroll in excess of $3 billion. The retail industry generates annual retail sales of some $25.7 billion. The largest employment sector, restaurants and bars, employs nearly 51,000 workers and the second largest, department and big box stores, provides jobs for 21,000 employees. Walmart, the largest single retailing presence in West Virginia, employs more than 12,000 West Virginians and supports more than 19,000 supplier jobs through its purchases of $220 million worth of local merchandise and services. TECHNOLOGY Biometric Device Records Fingerprints of Travelers at Washington Dulles International Airport West Virginia’s diverse technology industry is an important source of employment and income. More than half of the technology jobs are in the "High Technology Corridor" along Interstate 79, which is recognized nationally for identity and biometric technologies that contribute $5.5 billion to the state economy. Some of the significant establishments located there are the Department of Defense’s Biometrics Task Force/Biometrics Fusion Center, the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Criminal Justice Information Services Division, and the National Science Foundation Center for Identification Technology Research. In the bioscience industry, drugs and pharmaceuticals employ 2,400 workers and support an annual payroll of $162 million. TRANSPORTATION West Virginia boasts more than 2,400 miles (3,860 km) of railroad track that transport nearly 250 million tons (227 million metric tons) of freight each year. Because of the proximity to river ports and trucking centers, railroads remain a vital component in the state’s transportation system. Of the 127 aviation facilities in the state, Yeager Airport in Charleston is the busiest, handling more than 260,000 passengers annually. The airport supports an annual payroll of $3.4 million. The Port of Huntington/Tri-State, the nation's largest inland port, handles more than 80 million tons of cargo each year, with $5.3 billion worth of coal, petroleum, chemicals, steel, and other bulk products being transported on the waterways. There are 60,500 employees in the state’s transportation industry, which has a $1.7 billion payroll. TRAVEL AND TOURISM Berkeley Castle at Berkeley Springs Tourism plays an important part in West Virginia’s economy. Travel spending by all overnight and day visitors to the state generates more than $4.38 billion, and overnight visitors staying in commercial lodging facilities spend $1.4 billion. This is about one-third of all travel spending in the state. Revenue from day travelers is $2.1 billion, almost one-half of the state’s total travel spending. The largest portion of visitor spending goes toward gaming and entertainment. West Virginia’s tourism industry directly supports 44,000 jobs with earnings of $912 million. Local and state tax revenues generated by travel spending are about $591 million. Some of the popular tourist locations are the Science and Cultural Center in Charleston, the White Sulphur and Berkeley Springs mineral water spas, and the Winter Place Exhibition Coal Mine in Beckley. SPECIAL INDUSTRIES Coal, which generates more than half of the nation’s electricity, is found in 53 of West Virginia's 55 counties. Forty-three counties have reserves of economically minable coal, and coal is mined from 57 different coal seams. The state has some four percent of the nation’s coal reserves. West Virginia leads the nation in underground coal production, and its coal industry is responsible for about 30,000 jobs, including miners, mine contractors, coal preparation plant employees, and mine supply companies. West Virginia’s underground mines produce nearly 100 million tons of coal a year, while its surface mines produce about 70 million tons. The coal industry pays nearly $70 million in property taxes each year. Coal is responsible for more than $3.5 billion of West Virginia’s gross state product. -World Trade Press