West Virginia States for Business 2013" based on measures of competitiveness such as economy, workforce and cost of living – ranking among the bottom 5 states for the last six years running. West Virginia ranked 49th in the 2014 State New Economy Index, and has ranked in the bottom three states since 1999. West Virginia ranked last or next-to-last in critical indicators such as Workforce Education, Entrepreneurial Activity, High-Tech Jobs, and Scientists and Engineers. On January 9, 2014 near Charleston, the state capital, a chemical spill occurred that contaminated the water supply of 300,000 people in nine West Virginia counties. According to
West Virginia Route 4 Virginia via WV 20, US 33, WV 28, and US 50. West Virginia Route 4 West Virginia Route 4 is a north–south state highway within and maintained by the U.S. state of West Virginia. The southern terminus is at U.S. Route 119 in Clendenin. The northern terminus of the route is at West Virginia Route 20 in Rock Cave. The road connects several towns in the central part of the state. WV 4 is concurrent with U.S. Route 19 from Flatwoods to Ireland. WV 4 used to extend across the state, running west from Clendenin to Kentucky via US 119