Economists at West Virginia University say parts of the state are seeing job growth after economic downturn, but other areas have a longer road to economic recovery.

Since 2017, eight counties have experienced large job growth compared to the rest of the state.

This includes Marshall, Monongalia, Harrison, Doddridge, Ritchie, Jackson, Berkley, and Jefferson counties.

While this is good news in those areas, West Virginia University Bureau of Business and Economic Research director John Deskins pointed out in a recent interview with West Liberty University television that the main goal should be to spread that growth throughout the state.

Deskins also mentioned of the nearly 20,000 jobs lost by 2016, the state has gained almost half of them back, mostly in the natural gas industry.

While parts of the northern and eastern panhandles have seen employment growths up to six percent, the southern coalfields of the state in the same time have experienced a 16 percent loss in employment.

Deskins believes investments in health and education throughout the state will help bring less localized state growth.