FAIRMONT, W.Va. (WV News) — West Virginia struggles behind the nation in several core statistics: Education outcomes, major illnesses, drug use and an aging demographic. These issues have contributed to the state having the lowest labor force participation rate in the nation, said West Virginia University economist John Deskins.

In an address at the 10th annual Bridges Without Boundaries NCWV Business Summit, Deskins said North Central West Virginia is one of two regions in the state that has seen growth over the last decade. However, the state as a whole continues to lag behind the nation with no clear way out of the cycle.

"I wish our problem was bad tax policy because it could be fixed," Deskins said. "But our real problems ... are hard to fix — but they're the things we have to focus

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