Economic Impact of Health Research

Investment: Funding sources for overall research and development (2004)

Source of R&D Funding Investment State Rank
Federal Government $269,900,000 37
Industry $4,000,000** 50
Universities $39,300,000 39
Non-profit $2,500,000 47
Other * $5,100,000 46
Total $522,800,000 44

* Other represents funding from state and local governments and funding for Federally Funded Research and Development Centers from non-federal sources.
**Incomplete data on R&D performed by industry.

Source: National Science Foundation, National Patterns of R&D Resources , 2006


Economic Impact: Statistics for research-driven health industries (2004)

Industry Employment Annual Salary
Pharmaceutical 1,643 $70,656
Medical Device 822 $33,508
Research, Testing, and Laboratories 847 $38,803
Overall Private Sector  $29,576

Source: Battelle Memorial Institute and Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), Growing the Nation's Biotech Sector: State Bioscience Initiatives 2006


Highlights from local economic impact studies

West Virginia University generated $2.0 billion of economic activity and supported 28,600 jobs in FY 2004. (After clicking on the link, do a keyword search for 'economic impact' to access the report.)

West Virginia Independent Colleges & Universities Inc. consists of nine institutions that had a combined economic output of more than $308 million and employed 6,300 people in FY 2005. (After clicking on the link, do a keyword search for 'independent universties' to access the report.)

According to a report from BIO and Battelle, the state pledged $1.5 million in FY 2004 to develop a biotechnology incubator in South Charleston.