West Virginia University's Bureau of Business and Economic Research recently completed a study on the positive economic impact BrickStreet Insurance had on the West Virginia economy during calendar year 2007. This is the first of four articles that will highlight their findings.

BrickStreet's presence in West Virginia in 2007 generated a total business volume impact in excess of $560 million that supported 3,500 jobs and $115 million in employee compensation. The economic impacts estimated in this report focus on business volume, employee compensation, employment and assorted state taxes.

A healthy, vibrant BrickStreet is good for West Virginia's business community. BrickStreet's significant economic impact on the state economy is generated through direct spending for its operations, the increased economic activity that occurs from claims payments, as well as construction spending.

Since 1948, the Bureau has provided reliable data, analysis and forecasts to the public and private sector. The Bureau's areas of research expertise include economic development and impact studies, economic forecasting, industry studies, energy and environmental policy, benchmarking, the labor market, public finance, international studies, and tourism. BBER has a staff of four Ph.D. economists and two masters level economists, augmented by seven Ph.D. graduate and two undergraduate research assistants.

The complete study can be found at www.brickstreet.com under the Newsroom link.