Investigative Economic Development Reporter

National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ); Charleston (WV); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

75% company-paid health insurance

401k

25 days paid time off

Job summary

Mountain State Spotlight in West Virginia is looking for an economic development reporter to examine how public money, tax incentives, and major investments shape jobs and communities. This beat goes beyond ribbon‑cuttings to explain what incentives deliver and who benefits.

The reporter will talk to workers, business owners and residents, scrutinize budgets and data, and tell stories that connect numbers to people’s lives—covering infrastructure, childcare, broadband and workforce programs.

Qualifications

• Relentlessly curious about who benefits, who pays and who makes decisions.
• Skilled at turning complex money, policy and institutions into clear stories for readers.
• Able to develop sources beyond official spokespeople and navigate public records.

Responsibilities

• Follow the money by tracking state and local spending, tax incentives, grants, and public investment.
• Return to big announcements months or years later to see if jobs arrived and what they paid.
• Explain how forces reshaping the economy affect West Virginians and communities.

Skills

Data reporting

Storytelling

Public records

Education

Bachelor's degree in journalism or related field

Tools

Data visualization software

Job description

Mountain State Spotlight in West Virginia is looking for an economic development reporter to examine how public money, tax incentives, and major investments shape jobs and communities. This beat goes beyond ribbon‑cuttings to explain what incentives deliver and who benefits.

The reporter will talk to workers, business owners and residents, scrutinize budgets and data, and tell stories that connect numbers to people’s lives—covering infrastructure, childcare, broadband and workforce programs.