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 34 Street from US 60 southwest of Hurricane northeastward to WV 34 just east of downtown Hurricane. Along WV 34 and US 60, it is signed as WV 34 Alternate, but along the route itself, it is signed as WV 34 Business. West Virginia Route 34 West Virginia Route 34 is a north–south state highway in the U.S. state of West Virginia. The southern terminus of the route is at West Virginia Route 3 three miles (5 km) east of Hamlin. The northern terminus is at Interstate 77 exit 124 in Kenna. The portion of the highway between Scott Depot and