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 152 US 52 as WV 152 in order to demonstrate the road's connection to US 52. West Virginia Route 152 West Virginia Route 152 is a north–south state highway extending from Crum to Huntington, West Virginia. The northern terminus of WV 152 is unusual in that it also serves as the southern terminus of West Virginia Route 527, which continues along the same street as it passes over Interstate 64 at exit 8 (both state routes are indicated on exit signage on the expressway). WV 527 continues along the former routing of U.S. Route 52 through downtown Huntington, West Virginia on