In January 2009, the Create WV team (www.createwv.com) executed a statewide survey of West Virginia households to determine the level of support for key new economy initiatives such as 21st century learning skills, technology, entrepreneurship and diversity. The results were surprising.

1. Create WV Statewide Survey December 2008 Telephone Survey by Marshall University Center for Business and Economic Research Summary Results March 2009 © Vision Shared

5. Create WV Objectives

6. January 2009 Statewide Survey Results

7. Age Category N=1166

8. Level of Education N=1155

9. Employment Status N=1117

10. Household income N=967

11. Residential Status N=1242

13. 1. West Virginians know how to use computer and Internet technology to do their jobs and improve their lives.

14. 2. It is critical for my community’s success that people are skilled at using computers and the Internet .

15. 3. I have adequate access to high-speed Internet service where I live .

16. 4. I have taken advantage of Internet services such as online banking, online classes or purchasing products online in the last 30 days.

17. 5. New high-wage jobs are primarily created in high tech industries, such as advanced energy, biotechnology and computer technology.

18. 6. I support efforts by our community and state to generate more high tech jobs through research and development investments in universities and other research centers.

19. 7. My community is a great place to live.

20. 8. My community is pretty or attractive .

21. 9. My community is among the best places to live in the country.

22. 10. My community needs more places to meet and socialize.

23. 11. My community needs more art and cultural offerings.

24. 12. I believe it is important for West Virginia to preserve historically significant buildings and communities.

25. 13. It is important for West Virginia’s future to adopt environmentally friendly policies such as new “green” energy sources and building standards.

26. 14. I would support efforts by the state government to invest more money in helping communities modernize and upgrade to attract new citizens and businesses.

27. 15. The local school system in our community prepares our children for future success in today’s world.

28. 16. Our state school system overall is effective in preparing our children for future success in today’s world.

29. 17. It is important for our school system to teach children how to think, not just how to memorize facts and figures.

30. 18. It is more important for schools to stick to the basics like math and reading.

31. 19. Our school system provides adequate opportunities for art, cultural and other extra-curricular learning activities for children .

32. 20. It is important that our schools teach children how to use the latest technology.

33. 21. I support efforts by our State School Board and Department of Education to find better ways to educate our children for 21 st Century opportunities.

34. 22. I believe that Pk-12 teachers are a valuable asset in West Virginia and we should invest more in their ability to succeed in their job.

35. 23. It is important for West Virginia’s success that more people gain their college diploma.

36. 24. It is important for adults to continue learning throughout their lifetimes.

37. 25. Starting your own business is an attractive career opportunity.

38. 26. My community supports people who start a business here.

39. 27. West Virginia is an attractive place to start a business.

40. 28. I plan on starting a business of my own in the near future.

41. 29. Business taxes must be lowered in West Virginia to have a more successful economy compared to other states.

42. 30. It is primarily the state government’s job to create new high-paying job opportunities in West Virginia.

43. 31. West Virginians in general are tolerant and inclusive of people of all races, religions or lifestyles.

44. 32. Tolerance and inclusion of people from all races, religions or lifestyles is important to West Virginia’s future success.

45. 33. I support efforts by my community and state to ensure tolerance and diversity in our society.

47. 1. West Virginians know how to use computer and Internet technology to do their jobs and improve their lives.

48. 2. It is critical for my community’s success that people are skilled at using computers and the Internet.

49. 3. I have adequate access to high-speed Internet service where I live.

50. 4. I have taken advantage of Internet services such as online banking, online classes or purchasing products online in the last 30 days.

51. 5. New high-wage jobs are primarily created in high tech industries, such as advanced energy, biotechnology and computer technology.

52. 6. I support efforts by our community and state to generate more high tech jobs through research and development investments in universities and other research centers.

53. 7. My community is a great place to live.

54. 8. My community is pretty or attractive.

55. 9. My community is among the best places to live in the country.

56. 10. My community needs more places to meet and socialize.

57. 11. My community needs more art and cultural offerings.

58. 12. I believe it is important for West Virginia to preserve historically significant buildings and communities.

59. 13. It is important for West Virginia’s future to adopt environmentally friendly policies such as new “green” energy sources and building standards.

60. 14. I would support efforts by the state government to invest more money in helping communities modernize and upgrade to attract new citizens and businesses.

61. 15. The local school system in our community prepares our children for future success in today’s world.

62. 16. Our state school system overall is effective in preparing our children for future success in today’s world.

63. 17. It is important for our school system to teach children how to think, not just how to memorize facts and figures.

64. 18. It is more important for schools to stick to the basics like math and reading.

65. 19. Our school system provides adequate opportunities for art, cultural and other extra-curricular learning activities for children.

66. 20. It is important that our schools teach children how to use the latest technology.

67. 21. I support efforts by our State School Board and Department of Education to find better ways to educate our children for 21 st Century opportunities.

68. 22. I believe that Pk-12 teachers are a valuable asset in West Virginia and we should invest more in their ability to succeed in their job.

69. 23. It is important for West Virginia’s success that more people gain their college diploma.

70. 24. It is important for adults to continue learning throughout their lifetimes.

71. 25. Starting your own business is an attractive career opportunity.

72. 26. My community supports people who start a business here.

73. 27. West Virginia is an attractive place to start a business.

74. 28. I plan on starting a business of my own in the near future.

75. 29. Business taxes must be lowered in West Virginia to have a more successful economy compared to other states .

76. 30. It is primarily the state government’s job to create new high-paying job opportunities in West Virginia.

77. 31. West Virginians in general are tolerant and inclusive of people of all races, religions or lifestyles.

78. 32. Tolerance and inclusion of people from all races, religions or lifestyles is important to West Virginia’s future success.

79. 33. I support efforts by my community and state to ensure tolerance and diversity in our society.

81. 1. West Virginians know how to use computer and Internet technology to do their jobs and improve their lives.

82. 2. It is critical for my community’s success that people are skilled at using computers and the Internet.

83. 3. I have adequate access to high-speed Internet service where I live.

84. 4. I have taken advantage of Internet services such as online banking, online classes or purchasing products online in the last 30 days.

85. 5. New high-wage jobs are primarily created in high tech industries, such as advanced energy, biotechnology and computer technology.

86. 6. I support efforts by our community and state to generate more high tech jobs through research and development investments in universities and other research centers.

87. 7. My community is a great place to live.

88. 8. My community is pretty or attractive.

89. 9. My community is among the best places to live in the country.

90. 10. My community needs more places to meet and socialize.

91. 11. My community needs more art and cultural offerings.

92. 12. I believe it is important for West Virginia to preserve historically significant buildings and communities.

93. 13. It is important for West Virginia’s future to adopt environmentally friendly policies such as new “green” energy sources and building standards.

94. 14. I would support efforts by the state government to invest more money in helping communities modernize and upgrade to attract new citizens and businesses.

95. 15. The local school system in our community prepares our children for future success in today’s world.

96. 16. Our state school system overall is effective in preparing our children for future success in today’s world.

97. 17. It is important for our school system to teach children how to think, not just how to memorize facts and figures.

98. 18. It is more important for schools to stick to the basics like math and reading.

99. 19. Our school system provides adequate opportunities for art, cultural and other extra-curricular learning activities for children.

100. 20. It is important that our schools teach children how to use the latest technology.

101. 21. I support efforts by our State School Board and Department of Education to find better ways to educate our children for 21 st Century opportunities.

102. 22. I believe that Pk-12 teachers are a valuable asset in West Virginia and we should invest more in their ability to succeed in their job.

103. 23. It is important for West Virginia’s success that more people gain their college diploma.

104. 24. It is important for adults to continue learning throughout their lifetimes.

105. 25. Starting your own business is an attractive career opportunity.

106. 26. My community supports people who start a business here.

107. 27. West Virginia is an attractive place to start a business.

108. 28. I plan on starting a business of my own in the near future.

109. 29. Business taxes must be lowered in West Virginia to have a more successful economy compared to other states.

110. 30. It is primarily the state government’s job to create new high-paying job opportunities in West Virginia.

111. 31. West Virginians in general are tolerant and inclusive of people of all races, religions or lifestyles.

112. 32. Tolerance and inclusion of people from all races, religions or lifestyles is important to West Virginia’s future success.

113. 33. I support efforts by my community and state to ensure tolerance and diversity in our society.