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Meet Elkins: A HubCAP Community

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The community of Elkins offers both vibrant arts and recreational opportunities for visitors and residents alike.
BY STACY RAFFO, COMMUNITY COACHING PROGRAMS ASSOCIATE, THE HUB

Last fall, we kicked off our HubCAP (Communities of Achievement Program) in six communities working on the Mon Forest Towns initiative: Cowen, Elkins, Franklin, Marlinton, Petersburg and White Sulphur Springs. Each community works with a Hub community coach to help set and meet their goals for the program, which all relate to building the recreational tourism economy of the area along with Mon Forest Towns. This week, we’d like to introduce you to the community of Elkins and the team dubbed “Randolph Ready.”

The Randolph Ready team is composed of community members from not only Elkins, but throughout Randolph County. This team is taking a county-wide approach to building better recreational economies by focusing on trail development, riverfront development, wayfinding, kiosks, and arts and beautification. The team is also looking for opportunities for business development and retention. We recently spoke to the Randolph Ready team about their community’s experience with the Mon Forest Towns initiative.

The Hub: Why is the Mon Forest and outdoor recreation so important to your community? 

Randolph Ready: The Mon Forest and outdoor recreation are at the intersect for the community and its visitors. For current residents, their quality of life is enhanced through healthy, fun, family-centered activities around the Forest. And for those visiting the area, the Forest provides opportunities to hike, bike, fish, and more. These beautiful mountains provide a scenic backdrop for both everyday life and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. 

The Hub: How do you see resiliency in your community?

Randolph Ready: Some community institutions have endured, through good times and bad, sustaining Elkins as a regional hub. These include the hardwoods industry, Davis & Elkins College, the hospital, and local banking.

The Hub: What assets are you most excited to focus on or expand?

Randolph Ready: We’re excited to focus on numerous improvements for our community: historical properties, public art, and riverfront redevelopment. We’d also like to fully optimize what the Mon Forest has to offer while embracing the “Leave no Trace” ideology. 

The Hub: What makes your community unique?

Randolph Ready: Elkins is home to diverse local food, art, music, and history, distinctive fairs, festivals, and events, and the spirit of collaboration.The Randolph Ready team has some big goals already established, and they are continuing to look for more ideas and team members to help with their work. To get involved, contact Anne Beardslee at the Elkins Depot Welcome Center at elkinswelcomecenter@gmail.com.

Meet White Sulphur Springs, a HubCAP community

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White Sulphur Springs is home to many assets that the community will grow through the HubCAP program (Photo via White Sulphur Springs Main Street Facebook page).
BY OLIVIA MCCONNELL, HUBCAP COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR VISTA, THE HUB

The Hub’s fourth iteration of the Communities of Achievement Program (HubCAP) includes six communities from the Mon Forest Towns region. Each of these communities has created a HubCAP team of stakeholders and changemakers focused on expanding their outdoor recreational economy. The Southernmost town participating in this round of HubCAP is White Sulphur Springs, located in Greenbrier County. We spoke to two members of the White Sulphur Springs HubCAP team: Heather Hanna, Business Advisor with the Woodlands Development Group, and Katherine Shelton, owner of Barnwood Living, to learn more about their community’s goals for the future.

WV Hub: Why is the Mon Forest and outdoor recreation so important to your community? 

Heather: White Sulphur Springs is lucky to be surrounded by a wealth of natural assets and recreation opportunities that bring visitors to and through town on a year-round basis. This includes folks going mountain biking, hiking, camping, fishing, and floating the nearby Greenbrier River. The White Sulphur Springs exit from Interstate 64 is a popular route for folks traveling to Snowshoe Mountain, bringing traffic through WSS even in the winter. All of these visitors and passers-through add to the economic opportunities for small businesses in the community. The availability of outdoor recreation assets contributes to the well-being of local residents who take advantage of them as well.

Katherine: The Mon Forest and outdoor recreation are some of the most important assets to our local community. As a nearly lifelong resident of my current community I really took the nature that surrounds me daily for granted. As I have grown and traveled I realized how very special these public outdoor recreation areas truly are for the communities that they are a part of. The recreation areas provide a place for everyone to get out, get active and enjoy the peaceful tranquility.

WV Hub: How do you see resiliency in your community? 

Heather: In 2016, a thousand year flood event hit White Sulphur Springs, taking with it homes, businesses, and most tragically, many lives. Since the flood, local stakeholders have come together to begin an amazing transformation. The diverse offerings of the WSS community will contribute to its newly emerging economy and vitality. White Sulphur Springs offers everything from the world renowned Greenbrier Resort to a growing number of mountain biking assets, coffee shops, restaurants, and specialty retailers. The town’s ability to appeal to so many different groups of people will contribute to its long term success. The work happening to revitalize the downtown is creating excitement and pride in the community again. It is infectious and is causing an increase in the number of people who want to get involved and lend their energy to the rebirth of White Sulphur Springs.

WV Hub: What assets are you most excited to focus on or expand? 

Heather: I would like to see water access and water trails better developed. Between the nearby Greenbrier River, and several creeks running directly through town, there are significant possibilities.

Katherine: We look forward to welcoming more people to our beautiful community so that they can enjoy the recreation opportunities, the pristine vistas, and the hospitality that we are so famous for.

Thank you to Heather and Katherine for their insight! Stay tuned for more stories about White Sulphur Springs as their projects progress.

Olivia McConnell is The Hub’s HubCAP Community Engagement Coordinator VISTA. You can reach her at o.mcconnell@wvhub.org.

Beekeeping business finds success with Advantage Valley programs

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Sugar Bottom Farm has been able to grow its impact with the help of a FASTER WV grant (Photo via Sugar Bottom Farms Facebook).

Advantage Valley, a nonprofit economic development organization based in West Virginia’s Metro Valley, announced its second awarded $50,000 loan through its FASTER WV Program to Clay County business Sugar Bottom Farm, and proprietors Eric and Mary Grandon. The FASTER WV program helps launch new businesses and grow existing businesses in Boone, Braxton, Cabell, Clay, Kanawha, Lincoln, Putnam, and Wayne Counties. 

Eric and his wife Mary, of Clay County, are first generation farmers and run Sugar Bottom Farm, established in 2014 as a way to combat PTSD associated with Eric’s war deployments during his 20-year career with the US Army. They began producing molasses and slowly added honeybees, honey-bee equipment and supplies, raw honey, and finally, Honey-Bee-Value-Added products. They have successfully grown the company and now have 16 retail locations that carry products in 5 WV counties and 1 location in Ohio. The FASTER WV loan will help Sugar Bottom Farm build a new honey processing, packaging, and storage facility; add 75 more colonies; and hire new employees. 

According to Terrell Ellis, Advantage Valley Executive Director, “Sugar Bottom Farms has established a great reputation producing high-quality honey and related products. Eric took full advantage of our business coaching and entrepreneurial training to take his business to the next level and qualify for one of our business expansion loans.” “We see this loan as a way to help further Eric’s goal to hire 5 additional employees and build Sugar Bottom Farms’ national e-commerce market,” said Christy Laxton, Executive Director of the Wyoming County Economic Development Authority, manager of the FASTER WV Revolving Loan fund. 

“The FASTER WV program has been the best thing we’ve ever participated in. It’s a literal one-stop-shop for small business,” said Eric.  

Eric and Mary are expanding their successful business operation and increasing honey sales while continuing to invite other trauma survivors to their farm so they too can experience the healing powers of beekeeping. 

In order to assist additional businesses, FASTER WV will offer a virtual webinar for those interested in opening or expanding a food production business. “Steps to Scaling-Up Your Food & Beverage Business” will be offered on May 13 at 6 pm (register here). This one-hour free webinar will educate entrepreneurs on the process of growing a food and beverage business in the Advantage Valley region. Sari Kimbell, Founder & CEO of Food Business Success, and Consumer Packaged Food Industry Expert, will be the featured panelist. Participants will learn about free business coaching, online classes, loan funding, and how to use local commercial kitchens and co-packing companies to bring their product to market. Advantage Valley will also unveil a new program to link participating food producers to technical assistance from Ms. Kimbell, a national expert in this sector. 

FASTER WV partners include the WV Small Business Development Center, BridgeValley Community & Technical College, Unlimited Future, Inc., and The Wyoming County Economic Development Authority.

Major funding for the FASTER WV program is provided by the Appalachian Regional Commission and the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, with additional support from the Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation, Unlimited Future, Inc., Truist, and the USDA. To learn more about the FASTER WV Program, click here or call Advantage Valley at 304-352-1165.

Three exciting new VISTA positions with The Hub

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Former AmeriCorps VISTA Katelyn Campbell celebrates the end of her year of service at The Hub’s offices.
BY ERIN SUSMAN, OPERATIONS AND VISTA PROGRAM MANAGER, THE HUB

The Hub’s AmeriCorps VISTA program is excited to announce that we have three new opportunities to make a positive impact in the communities of Fairmont, Clarksburg, and Elkins! 

Our AmeriCorps VISTA program helps build the capacity of organizations across the state to disrupt the cycle of generational poverty. Each of these sites addresses this goal in different ways, and we’re looking for dedicated individuals looking to make a difference in their communities to fill these roles starting July 19, 2021. 

Fairmont Community Development Partnership (Fairmont)

The FCDP Community Engagement Coordinator VISTA will lead a series of public forums, and support the development of a strategic plan to better respond to the needs of low-income families in Fairmont. The member will also support increasing disaster preparedness in families served by FCDP. The ideal candidate will possess strong public speaking, organizational, and analytical thinking skills, as well as a passion for building community. 

Monticello On-going Revitalization Effort (Clarksburg)

The Monticello On-going Revitalization Effort (M.O.R.E.) Community Engagement Coordinator VISTA will develop organizational systems and recruit volunteers to help M.O.R.E. scale it’s work with the Kelly Miller Community Center and Margaret McCoy Community Garden in the Monticello neighborhood of Clarksburg. This member will develop partnerships with stakeholders in the community, and increase M.O.R.E.’s capacity to respond to the needs of the community. The ideal candidate will have a baseline knowledge of financial management systems. 

Randolph Ready HubCAP at Davis & Elkins College (Elkins)

The Randolph Ready HubCAP Coordinator VISTA will support community development projects in Elkins through The Hub’s HubCAP program, and develop and launch a service learning program at Davis & Elkins College. This VISTA will help bolster community pride and increase community involvement.  The ideal candidate will have a passion for volunteerism, value partnership, and possess organizational skills.

AmeriCorps service is a great opportunity for anyone looking to expand their career experience while making a difference in their community. A living stipend, Education Award, healthcare benefit, child care benefit, and relocation allowance are offered. Anyone 18 years of age or older is eligible to serve in AmeriCorpsVISTA. Learn more about the benefits of service here. 

Do you have questions about these positions? Contact me, Erin Susman, at e.susman@wvhub.org for more information!

Meet the Community Collaborative Network Steering Committee

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BY KAYCIE STUSHEK, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS SPECIALIST, THE HUB

For the past two years, The Hub has collaborated with hundreds of West Virginians to identify critical needs and opportunities for the community development field in the state. We have heard clearly through this process about the need for an aligned, collaborative network to tie together the people in West Virginia who are building up strong communities across the state.

The newly forming Community Collaborative Network will support people working in community development (both in volunteer and professional roles) in a multitude of ways, including: 

  • Identifying and moving forward projects that will create collective, transformational impact for community building in the Mountain State 
  • Building up capacity, skills, and new resources for people working on community development efforts 
  • Catalyzing systems-level changes, such as: increasing capital and funding resources for community development-related projects, changing the narrative about the value and impact of community development efforts in West Virginia, and enacting policy changes
  • Building trust and creating new relationships between the people and organizations who are moving forward this work 

The Community Collaborative Network is being built by and for West Virginians who want to make a positive difference in their communities. 

A major milestone towards building the foundations of this network was identifying a Steering Committee, and we are excited to announce a committee has been elected and had their inaugural meeting in April! The Network is so lucky to have these people with such unique backgrounds from all over the state. 

The committee is eager to take the feedback and frameworks that have been built by West Virginians over the past two years to the next level. Their main goals for this next year will be around defining organizational structure and clarifying strategies for the Network. Most of this work will be in the background, but we will be sure to reach out for input and guidance, and with opportunities to connect once we get rolling.

Click here to meet our Steering Committee »

If you have any questions, please reach out to me, Kaycie Stushek, at k.stushek@wvhub.org.

Matewan makes progress on building rehab project

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The community of Matewan has been participating in Hub programs since 2014, and during that time, we’ve been fortunate enough to work alongside a group of people who are dedicated to their town, its history, and its future. The community has worked to save the historic Nenni buildings for many years and partnered with Coalfield Development in 2018 to begin this transformational project that represents Matewan’s hard work, collaboration, and resilience.

At The Hub, we always say that community development takes time, and that big risks and persistence can lead to big rewards. This is just one of many rewards Matewan has reaped. We’re so excited to see this project evolve in the future.

Read the entire story on WCHS »

Parsons moving forward with pocket park project

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After the removal of a dilapidated building, the City of Parsons made space for some landscaping and seating in their pocket park. Soon, this space will be home to a mural, pergola, outdoor theater, and outdoor dining area.
BY KAYCIE STUSHEK, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS SPECIALIST, THE HUB

PRO On/Trac, the City of Parsons, and the Parsons Blueprint Communities team are excited about the in-progress pocket park in downtown Parsons. The park is in the center of downtown and is a great space that utilizes an empty site where a building was torn down in 2020. It will include a seating and dining area, an outdoor theater, landscaping, a mural, and more. 

Mayor Dorothy Judy is excited for this downtown asset, as through the Blueprint Community input process, a nice space to gather downtown was something many people wanted to see. “The park and its mural will be a great addition. We’ll be able to use the mural wall to show movies and hold movie nights. It will be a reflection of our community and a great downtown gathering place,” said Judy.

The team competed for and was granted a Mills Group Design Award that provided design visioning for this park in late 2020. With funds from a mini-grant awarded through the Blueprint Communities initiative, the centerpiece of this plan, a pergola, has been built and set. The pergola will serve as a stage, pavilion, and gathering place in the park. “We are so fortunate to be a Blueprint Community and have the opportunity to work with The Hub and receive money from the Federal Home Loan Bank in Pittsburgh to assist with this project,” said Cindy Kolsun, PRO Executive Director.

The pocket park also recently received $10,000 in Harman Funds to continue to build towards completion. Many are eager to see this project come to fruition, and the team is dedicated to utilizing further Blueprint Communities resources and other partner resources towards this initiative. “We are excited, and are looking for more partners to help us complete the vision of this park,” City Administrator Jason Myers, shared. If you would like to be involved or have any questions, please contact the City of Parsons at 304-478-2311.

Kaycie Stushek is The Hub’s Community Development Programs Specialist. You can reach her at k.stushek@wvhub.org

What’s so special about that? Special sessions explained.

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Gov. Justice gives his State of the State address. The Governor is usually responsible for calling a special session and setting the agenda.
BY TAYLOR BENNETT, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY BASED POLICY, THE HUB

Early each year, there’s a lot of hype about the legislative session. In general, the “regular session” takes place during January, February, and parts of March, and lasts 60 days. It gets a lot of press because most of the policy changes that are made by the WV Legislature work their way through the policymaking process during this time. But, the regular session isn’t the only time of year that policy changes can be made.

What is a Special Session? 

A “special session” of the legislature describes any time at which the legislature is called together to review and vote on policy changes not during the regular 60-day timeframe. Typically, special sessions are called by the Governor although the Legislature can call itself into a special session with a two-thirds majority vote from both chambers. Special sessions can be called at any time, and it’s routine to expect at least one special session each year or so. 

Special Session, Special Rules

For citizen lobbyists who are used to advocating on issues that they care about during regular session, there are a few differences to be aware of: 

  • Special sessions have a set agenda.

Special sessions which are called by The Governor are called so that the Legislature can review a very specific set of bills. There is an agenda that’s put forth by the Governor’s staff and no new bills except for the ones on the agenda can be introduced. The exception to this is when a special session is called by the Legislature itself. In this case, there is no set agenda, and they may introduce and review whatever legislation they choose.

  • Special sessions are short.

Most often, special sessions are very abbreviated versions of the longer regular session. While the policy review process is similar, because the agenda is much more focused, special sessions often conclude within a week or less. This is important to note because citizen lobbyists have less time to hear about special sessions, identify whether there are issues they care about on the agenda, and take action. 

Special, but Similar

While there are different rules for special sessions, some things remain the same. Legislators still conduct committee meetings where they review bills and hear testimony from expert witnesses. Bills are still brought to floor sessions to be voted on. And, perhaps most importantly, Legislators are present at the Capitol. So, if an issue you care about is on the special session agenda, you know where to find them. 

For more information on…

Taylor Bennett is the Director of Community Based Policy. You can reach her at t.bennett@wvhub.org.

From Passage to Implementation

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Soon, new laws will make their way from the Capitol to your community. There is a role for citizen lobbyists to play in implementing the policy changes they care about within their communities.
BY TAYLOR BENNETT, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY BASED POLICY, THE HUB

After policies pass through the legislative process and are either signed into law by the Governor or passively allowed to become the law (Questions? Check out our explainer), citizens may find it takes a while for the impact of those policies to be felt. 

There are a few reasons for this: 

  • Some bills may not take effect immediately. The text of every bill includes a date on which it will take effect. Some are “effective from passage” meaning that they’ll be implemented immediately, while others will take effect on a later date that’s specified in the bill. 
  • Policies are made by legislators, but they are implemented by staff members–usually of a local government or state agency. It may take a while for staff members to get up to speed on all the changes that were made during the session. 
  • Some policies change pieces of a longer process, like the tax sale process or the adoption process. This means that if the piece of the process that was changed happens near the end of the process, it may take a long time for citizens to feel that change. 

Here are three things you can do to influence the implementation of policy changes you care about: 

  • Gather more information about a policy’s implementation.

    Other organizations and individuals who advocated for a policy change often have information about when bills will be implemented and who will be responsible for doing so.
  • Reach out to whoever is in charge of putting the policy solution into practice. 

    Don’t be afraid to reach out to staff of state agencies and local governments. But do approach interactions with them from a place of curiosity and collaboration.

    You might ask if they have heard about a bill that does something you’re excited about, or create an opportunity to learn together about how a bill related to the issue you care about will impact your community. 
  • Identify organizations supporting the people or issue the bill is designed to affect. 

    If a policy change impacts foster families, try reaching out to organizations that provide support to foster families. Ask if they’ve heard about the bill or know how and when it will impact those they support. You might also ask for their suggestions on how best you can support its implementation.

And remember, reaching out to those who are responsible for implementing policy changes can be beneficial, even if all you’re able to do is ask when citizens will be able to feel the impacts of it. Your ask lets implementors know that this policy change matters to citizens in your community.

20 new projects are underway in Montgomery & Smithers

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Congratulations to the communities of Montgomery and Smithers on their awards of 20 mini-grants in The Hub’s Cultivate WV program! These projects will serve diverse needs of residents of Montgomery and Smithers–providing signage, beautification projects, murals, food pantries, benches, community spaces, events, a community garden, and much more.

The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation is funding $40,000 in mini-grants to invest in the projects implemented by groups of at least three volunteers on the Cultivate WV Montgomery-Smithers team to make visible, measurable improvements to the communities. While completing the projects, participants will attend workshops with The Hub to help make the most of their new community assets. 

The two communities are working together to make positive change to the Upper Kanawha Valley within a unique model–the Strategic Initiatives Council, led by Mayor Anne Cavalier of Smithers and Mayor Greg Ingram of Montgomery. You can learn more about the Strategic Initiatives Council here. These projects will help strengthen the bond between the two communities, improve the quality of life of residents, and attract more visitors to the area. We can’t wait to see the projects in action!

The following projects will be implemented within a six month timeline:

Courtyard Beautification

The Courtyard Beautification project will provide the residents of the Montgomery General Elderly Care Center access to a beautiful outdoor space to visit with family members and to enjoy the beauty of nature. The project team will remove and replace the overgrown shrubs, provide the necessary maintenance for the trees in the outdoor space, repair and/or replace garden planters, plant perennial and annuals, clean the already existing pond, and purchase fish for the pond area. 

Montgomery Free Supply Pantry

The Montgomery Free Supply Pantry project will provide six pantries containing food and personal items throughout the area. Members of the community will be invited to donate canned food items and personal hygiene items to be placed in the pantries to be accessed by those who may be in need. 

BridgeValley Youth Outreach Program

The Youth Outreach Program is a project to support youth programs in the area. The programs include an art camp, STEAM camp, after school program, robotics camp, and robotics teams for fourth to eighth grade students in the Upper Kanawha Valley. The project team will utilize the makerspace at BridgeValley called the GRID and will have access to two large rooms to accommodate the youth activities as well as several other rooms in the space that could include activities such as pottery, sewing, and woodworking. 

Montgomery General Extended Care – Developing an Outdoor Space 

An outdoor space will provide 35 to 44 patients and their families a positive, serene, outdoor environment for visitation and socialization. The outdoor space will also be used for outdoor activities with the residents such as planting and taking care of small box planters that will be filled with flowers and vegetables. 

Public Art Mural 

The Montgomery Art Group and local youth will create a large mural that depicts interesting aspects of the town of Montgomery. It will be a landmark and welcome sign to the town that will be impactful, colorful, and visible to residents and visitors. 

First Friday Farmers Market 

The project team is starting a farmers market in Smithers to provide local, organic, and/or home-produced products to the residents of the Smithers/Montgomery area. As part of the monthly market, free educational and well-being activities will be offered. 

The Queen of Barks

Queen of Barks is a locally owned and operated small business working to bring pet care closer to home for the Smithers/Montgomery area. The project team is working to renovate the building where the services will be offered. The team plans to host a puppy-friendly meet and greet in the area as well as a regular puppy playgroup in one of the area’s parks. 

Smithers Welcome Sign 

The Smither Welcome Sign team will refurbish five older existing “Welcome to Smithers” signs by painting them and adding the metal city logo. The metal logo will be produced locally and volunteers will paint the signs. The team will also use this project as an opportunity to maintain and add new plants around the base of the signposts. 

Park at 5th and Lee Improvements 

The project team will paint the gazebo, install two lights to match the new street lights and set new plaques at the park. The team’s goal is to make the park more attractive and functional for small events such as the Gold Star Mothers event. 

River Cities Urban Trail 

The River Cities Urban Trail will be a designated safe sidewalk trail of approximately 1 to 2 miles within the City of Smithers. Sign posts and sidewalk stenciling will show distance markers so walkers know how far they have walked. A trail logo will also be designed. The project team will host a community-wide kick off event where residents and visitors will be invited to explore the walkway for the first time. The creation of formal or informal walking groups will be encouraged to get people to use the trail. 

Plein Air Art Fair Streetscape 

Local volunteers will work together to beautify and promote the City’s “Plein Air Art” Fair by preparing an artwalk and streetscape. The new decor will also act as an alert for drivers passing by to slow down and exercise extra caution around the pedestrians attending. The project will include three aspects: 1) a banner hanging over the street access to the off street fair; 2) two parking spots on the street marked off on fair nights as ‘art spots’ with small wooden benches, potted plants, and promotional banners; and 3) a colorful mural on the street surface. 

Envision Summit: Opening the Gateway

The project team will host a community workshop with Ed McMahon as their guest. Mr. McMahon will work with local community leaders, business owners and other residents to complete an area economic development feasibility study. He will share his ideas and lead a discussion for invited local leaders from public, private and potential sectors representing interest in the joint River Cities of Smithers and Montgomery. The goal of this project is to educate and motivate area residents and businesses to create and maintain a Gateway Community. 

Smithers Gateway Center Chair Yoga 

The team will establish a chair yoga class for the community and surrounding areas. A certified chair yoga instructor has volunteered to teach the class in collaboration. The instructor in collaboration with Active Southern West Virginia will become a certified community captain. The goal is to improve the health and mobility of the people participating in the classes.

City of Smithers Beautification 

The team will install benches and planters at the Magic Carpet location. There is currently no seating in this area and is a need in the community. The benches will provide a place for community members to sit and enjoy the area. 

Rt 60 Signage (Midtown, Westbound, & Eastbound)

Signage reflecting historic Midland Trail will be designed and installed along Rt 60 to direct vehicles to participating businesses and institutions in both Smithers and Montgomery. 

Park Improvement 

The project is to improve and update the small ark owned by the city of Montgomery located on Morris Drive. The team will work together to make repairs to the basketball court and existing swing set as well as add some picnic tables and waste containers for park visitors to utilize. 

Main Street Planters

This project is focused on beautifying the main street of town by providing color and definition. The team will purchase, install and plant flowers in new planters on 3rd Street in Montgomery. 

Smithers Community Garden 

The project team will establish a community garden located at the Gateway Community Center. Along with the garden, the WVU Health Educator for the county will offer nutrition and gardening classes to people of all ages. The team will be seeking additional funding as a part of this project to build a high tunnel. 

Beautify Montgomery with Flowers

The project team will plant flowers around town to beautify the city of Montgomery. The various areas around town include: the gazebo at the entrance of the city, the library, city hall, the bank, and several other prominent buildings. The project team is committed to tending to the flowers during the growing season. 

Appalachian Music Festival 

The Appalachian Music Festival is a planned four-day event (scheduled for August 25-29) that will provide music lessons, workshops and exhibitors during the day. On Friday and Saturday evening, local and regional musicians will provide concerts that will be open to the public. The festival will end with a gospel singing session on Sunday morning. The team is focused on 1) offering opportunities for lifelong learning and meaningful engagement with the arts; 2) perpetuating an appreciation for the history of Appalachian music; 3) showcasing and promoting regional talent; and 4) promoting young Appalachian performers.