The Polymer Alliance Zone released the results of a study Wednesday into the impact the industry has on the state.

PAZ President and Jackson County State Senator Karen Facemyer says West Virginia's plastics industry directly employs 8,000 workers, brings in $2.2 billion annually to the state's income and pays out about $178 million in taxes each year.

"What this shows is that the plastics industry in West Virginia is a major economic driver,” Facemyer said.

PAZ teamed up with the Marshall University Center for Business and Economic Research to conduct their study. What they found is that plastics, from their creation to recycling, make up for about 3.6 percent of West Virginia's economy.

The average salary for a worker in the plastic's industry in West Virginia is $74,000. That's twice the state average.

The study also revealed that while Mason, Jackson and Wood counties have long been the center of the plastics industry in West Virginia, more and more polymer companies are locating all across the state. Seventy-five polymer-based businesses are found in 33 West Virginia counties.

PAZ industries produce everything from household chemicals to plastic bottles to pool liners. Facemyer stressed PAZ is working with state leaders to attract even more polymer-based businesses into the state.