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
Virginia State Route 121 Virginia State Route 121 State Route 121 (SR 121) is a state highway in the U.S. state of Virginia. Known as Max Meadows Road, the state highway runs from Interstate 77, I-81, U.S. Route 11, and US 52 at Fort Chiswell north to SR 1004 and SR 1006 in Max Meadows in eastern Wythe County. SR 121 is part of a Virginia Byway that continues south along US 52 and west along SR 610 to Wytheville. SR 121 begins at a diamond interchange with I-77, I-81, and US 11 a short distance west of the interchange where I-77 turns south