West Virginia State Slogans
When I was a kid growing up in West Virginia, the state slogan was “Wild and Wonderful.” You’d see it on the signs you passed as you drove across the state line.
A couple years ago, the state government changed those signs so that they read “West Virginia: Open for Business.”
“Open for Business” is a bad slogan. If it sounds a little sad and desperate, it is. When Forbes did a story on the best states to do business in, West Virginia ranked 49, only beating out Louisiana.
Changing the signs to promote economic growth is a pathetic gesture. What difference would a state slogan make anyway? Does West Virginia really want entrepreneurs who would base their decision to start up a business on information gleaned from a road sign?
“Look, I know the numbers say the economy is bad here, but we passed that sign that said Open for Business so the state is Open for Business. End of story! Who’s running this company, you or me? Now, where should I build my World War Two-themed waterpark…”
For the perusal of the state’s representatives, I have compiled some other slogans that I think are just as good as “Open for Business.”
West Virginia: Please. Buy something.
West Virginia: You think we don’t want your business? Look at the way we’re dressed!
West Virginia: We’ll show you good time. Forty dollar.
West Virginia: We now have HBO and Flush Toilets!
West Virginia: Almost Heaven. Almost HELL.
West Virginia: I can’t feel my legs!!!!! (See our museum of agricultural accidents)
West Virginia: Get in the pool, Rachel, or you won’t have any barbecue!
Yes, that last one doesn’t make a lot of sense.
Anyway, people hated the new slogan. West Virginians did not like being “Open for Business.” Recently, the state changed the signs back to “Wild and Wonderful,” and West Virginia certainly is that, depending on your definition of “Wild.”
If your definition of Wild is widespread meth usage, for example, you won’t be disappointed.
