IAS

“It had to be the community’s project” – Jim Russell on Alderson’s riverfront project

01.02.18

Concrete pad under construction in Alderson

BY DAN TAYLOR, ENERGIZING ENTREPRENEURIAL COMMUNITIES PROGRAM COORDINATOR, THE HUB

“We knew it had to be the community’s project for it to have any transformational value,” said Jim Russell in a recent interview with the Beckley Register-Herald.

Jim is the president of Alderson Main Street, a group that leveraged funding through the WV Community Development Hub and the state Development Office to create the town’s Strategic Riverfront Enhancement Project.

Read the full interview with Jim Russell in the Register-Herald »

As the winner of 2016’s Bucks for Bright Ideas funding competition, part of The Hub’s Innovation Acceleration Strategies (IAS) program, the Riverfront Enhancement Project is now in full swing.

The $5,000 prize through IAS, along with with an additional $5,000 match from the town, is being used toward building concrete pads, with concrete steps, on the riverbank adjacent to the pedestrian bridge in Alderson.

The funding through IAS was also used as a match to receive an additional $8,500 Flex E Grant from the state Development Office to hire consultant Downstream Strategies to fully develop a Strategic Riverfront Enhancement Plan to be used into the future.

According to Jim, “[The concrete pads] will make the river seem more accessible to residents and guests, and more an integral part of the community. Our vision is that people will sit at either the lower or the upper patio, relax and appreciate the river as a significant local amenity, and come to understand that our primary civic asset, the Greenbrier River, makes Alderson a nice place to live or visit. The project is a piece of the larger Strategic Riverfront Enhancement Plan that, hopefully, will be implemented over a multi-year period.”

You’re invited to an open house with Lincoln County Friends of the Arts

10.23.17

Quilting class at Friends of the Arts space, featuring newly revitalized Art & History Gallery

BY DAN TAYLOR, ENERGIZING ENTREPRENEURIAL COMMUNITIES PROGRAM COORDINATOR, THE HUB

The Lincoln County Friends of the Arts are having an open house at their new space this weekend!

The organization, who received a mini-grant earlier this year through The Hub’s Innovation Acceleration Strategy program to revitalize their gallery space, is ready to show off their new digs on Saturday, October 28, 1 – 4pm at 8112 Court Street in downtown Hamlin, WV.

The team is urging anyone and everyone in the area to drop on by the Friends of the Arts space and help celebrate the reopening of their Art & History Gallery!

This free event will highlight all of the great strides that the team made over the last year in revitalizing this important space for creativity in the county as well as the town of Hamlin. Beyond housing the work of local artisans for viewing and for purchase, the gallery has also been hosting a Build Your Own Hand Crafted Quilt class and has plans to hold more classes and events in the future as well.

Photo Series: Tour Bike Friendly Mullens in Wyoming County, WV

10.23.17

BY DAN TAYLOR, ENERGIZING ENTREPRENEURIAL COMMUNITIES PROGRAM COORDINATOR, THE HUB

On a beautiful fall morning in early October, I took a road trip down to Mullens, West Virginia, located in the hills of Wyoming County, south of Beckley.

Through The Hub’s Innovation Acceleration Strategies program, we were able to award mini-grant funds to a few excellent community teams working on projects to uplift the area. Projects such as community art classes (see a short video of the class), a forthcoming remote control (RC) car race track for youth and others, and the Bike Friendly Mullens project – the initiative I was on the road to check out – were all recipients.

Nearby resident and rail trail enthusiast, Matthew Allen, in partnership with the City of Mullens and Councilman Reece Neely, worked to put together the Bike Friendly Mullens project.

“The City of Mullens is a unique and important part of Wyoming County,” said Matthew. “Projects like Coalfields Expressway, Barkers Creek Industrial Park and our proposed Rails-to-Trails project will feed off the energy that a community like Mullens can provide.”

Bike Friendly Mullens is a part of a larger vision for a more recreation-friendly Wyoming County. While the Hatfield McCoy trail system is already booming and bringing people into the area, there is so much more opportunity for rail trails on old abandoned rail lines for cyclists, for hiking trails like the Great Eastern Trail, and kayaking and canoeing on the Guyandotte River.

Bike Friendly Mullens was able to install three new bike racks and five “Share the Road” signs, important infrastructure for making cycling better promoted and safer for youth, locals and county visitors.

Reece was kind enough to take a few hours out of his busy day to show me these new improvements and so much more that Mullens has to offer.

We began our trip at City Hall downtown and headed toward West Mullens. We encountered the first Share the Road sign there, on Moran Avenue at the entrance to this idyllic family neighborhood.

This road lead up past Mullens Middle School and some new basketball courts, as the area has a rich basketball history. We then arrived at West Mullens playground, site of the first bike rack. This flat, residential area is perfect for biking.

Leaving West Mullens we passed the next Share the Road sign. While Reece told me stories of area history, we continued on toward the Mullens Athletic Field and Pool, where another Share the Road sign and bike rack are installed.

Reece let it be known that many of these playground and pool improvements were made possible by the work of the City of Mullens Foundation, an organization that – according to a great write up by The Register Herald – is, “made up of Mullens High alumni, current and former town residents and other volunteers – [and] began as part of Rural Appalachia Improvement League (RAIL), but is now an independent, nonprofit entity.”

We later stopped at the Mullens Opportunity Center, operated by RAIL, where there is also a bike rack now. Reece, a board member of RAIL, was proud to show off their small, but amazing, local railroad museum. Tom Marshall, who runs this museum, was happy give me a look and is available by appointment to do the same for area visitors who are interested.

Capturing more business from the Hatfield McCoy Pinnacle Creek trailhead is a key goal for the area. Reece also took our tour up to Tater Hill, a scenic overlook and picnic area overlooking Mullens. Accessible by ATV and truck, Tater Hill is an amazing site. Much has been done to improve the road and signage to find it and much more is in the works. Mullens is lucky to have such a great asset like Tater Hill, which should be a must see stop for any ATV enthusiast visiting Wyoming County.

We finished up the trip in South Mullens, seeing the bike rack at the playground there and nearby Share the Road sign. Just across the way, the National Coal Heritage Area has just helped with new signage for the Coal Miner Memorial park.

I thank Reece for the tour, Matthew for all of his hard work on the project, and all others mentioned in this article – and those left out. Mullens feels like a place on the verge of something new and positive. I am lucky to have been able to spend such a great afternoon there, and I hope to visit again soon.

New Community Art Classes to Begin in Wyoming County

07.25.17

Many people think of art as a fun thing some people do on the side. Other people think that art can change your life.

Laura Burdette, the art instructor from The Hub’s Innovation Acceleration Strategy (IAS) Wyoming County Arts Team, believes that art is transformative.

“I forget everything when I’m painting or drawing,” Burdette said, “It takes me into my own little world, it’s euphoric.”

When we announced the winners of our IAS mini-grants program in January, you may recall that the Wyoming County Arts team planned to host a series of art classes. Their plans are now far enough along that they’re looking for students!

Laura Burdette Painting on Slate

Art classes will begin in Pineville on August 29th at 6pm at Power House East in the Happy Trails building at 27 River Drive. This is just across the road from the Pineville Fire Department and the Board of Education.

The first class will focus on slate painting from prep to making market-ready. Future classes will cover color, perspective, drawing, technique and more.

Burdette, who says she’s been drawing since she was old enough to hold a pencil, believes that anyone should feel comfortable to sign up for these classes, regardless of skill level.

“Some people don’t realize that they can do it and a lot of people don’t realize how helpful it can be to them,” Burdette said.

Classes will be $10 each or $60 for the whole 6 month course. To sign up, contact Laura Burdette at 304-575-3817 or fill out this form online.

Share the word with anyone in the Wyoming County area you think may be interested, and if would like to learn how to travel to your own little world for a bit, don’t hesitate to give it a try.

Demand for the Hatfield-McCoy ATV Trail Brings New Business Opportunities

07.17.17

from the Hatfield-McCoy Trail Facebook page

Over the past year plus with our work helping to foster entrepreneurship in communities throughout West Virginia here at The Hub, we’ve seen energy around new business in the recreation and tourism sectors skyrocket.

This has been due in large part to the Hatfield McCoy ATV trail. As people come to ride the trail, they are also looking for other recreational activities. So, communities with natural assets like waterways are creating these recreational opportunities for visitors in places like Lincoln County. We have also seen land-based trail projects around hiking and biking from our previous Innovation Acceleration program in communities from Boone County to Wyoming County.

There are also economic opportunities directly related to the Hatfield McCoy trail itself, and one of our top partners, Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College, is working to help people in southern West Virginia take advantage of those opportunities.

Last year, they launched a Powersports Technology program to teach students to service, repair, and maintain a variety of powersports equipment like motorcycles, ATV’s UTV’s and personal watercraft. Program graduates are prepared to be entry-level technicians and most often work as service technicians, but may also find employment as service writers, parts department personnel and sales staff.

For more information about this program, reach out to technology@southernwv.edu.

With an uptick in resources available to communities as well through things like the Appalachian Regional Commission’s POWER program, which has put $92 million within the past year into the region for economic development, it is important for residents here to know about what is available and be able to connect with these opportunities to grow not only their local economy but their own prosperity.

Just last month at a convening of POWER grantees in Huntington, Jeff Lusk, director of the Hatfield McCoy Regional Recreation Authority, which operates the Hatfield-McCoy Trails system, said the ARC’s $1.3 million POWER grant to their organization will be used to help expand tourism-related business opportunities along the Hatfield McCoy Trail.

We look forward to seeing what additional helpful resources are on the horizon for our region when it comes to growing our recreation and tourism economy.

Create Greater Prosperity for WV with this VISTA Gig

07.05.17

Participants meet in Wyoming County for an Innovation Acceleration Strategies meeting, the E2C program’s predecessor

There is a new program afoot at the Hub! And we need a VISTA to help make it a success!

The WV Community Development Hub is partnering with the Center for Rural Entrepreneurship to bring the Energizing Entrepreneurial Communities (E2C) program to West Virginia. Built upon the Center’s extensive experience, the E2C program works with communities to discover their own unique road to greater prosperity through supporting and growing entrepreneurial talent. We see this as a perfect fit for some of our partner communities in the state, such as Grafton, Madison, Lincoln and Wyoming Counties.

We believe this program will be a positive way to grow a more successful economy that creates jobs, businesses, career opportunities and rooted wealth.

We believe this program will be a positive way to grow a more successful economy that creates jobs, businesses, career opportunities and rooted wealth. With healthy economic growth comes a greater capacity to support public services, education and quality of life investments important to create a more prosperous community, all things needed in our state.

Entrepreneurs are at the heart of this economic development – they recognize opportunities and pull together the assets and resources needed to create new economic activity. It is critically important for us to support people in communities who are the ones creating and growing local ventures; as these ventures, in turn, become the drivers of more economic development. The best prosperity strategy, particularly in small communities, is to grow entrepreneurial talent within by creating a pipeline of support that helps more people succeed at starting and growing private and social ventures.

Entrepreneurs are at the heart of this economic development – they recognize opportunities and pull together the assets and resources needed to create new economic activity.

The VISTA for this program will serve to support this pipeline creation, working directly with community teams, answering questions, doing research, setting up meetings and communication structures.

We are seeing community’s commitment to embrace this economic development responsibility and to put themselves on a pathway to prosperity. It requires leadership – and the identification of a leadership team – that is willing and able to work with our E-Communities Coach and this VISTA. It also requires engagement with the broader community – to connect with entrepreneurial talent, to identify energy areas for getting started and to build strong resource networks of support providers who can bring the right resources to entrepreneurs at the right time. And, because we are working with a number of communities, participation provides access to a peer group of communities that are equally committed to following this process and building a stronger entrepreneurial community.

All these things will be supported by the program VISTA, who will help identify and cultivate community leaders and teams, help communities’ discover energy areas and needed resource providers. We’d love to find someone from one of the Entrepreneurial Communities of Madison, Hamlin, Pineville, Grafton or nearby, or in the Charleston area, this opportunity could be for you!

To apply for this VISTA position, send your resume to Dan Taylor at d.taylor@wvhub.org.

Lincoln County Bursting With Community Activity This Summer

05.18.17

Photo by Guyandotte Water Trail

People in Lincoln County have a great opportunity this Saturday to get out and enjoy this fantastic spring weather, and help their community!

From 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. on Saturday, the Guyandotte Water Trail will host a Lower Guyandotte River Cleanup at Branchland Park. More info at www.facebook.com/guyandottewatertrail/

They are calling all volunteers to come join members of the Guyandotte Water Trail and the people of Lincoln County to help cleanup the beautiful Branchland Park and Guyandotte River to ready it for some great spring and summer activity.

And here’s some other events coming up:

June 3 – National Water Trails Dedication and River Float
Celebration of Lincoln County’s 150th Founding
10 a.m. Branchland Park
Info: www.facebook.com/guyandottewatertrail/

June 3 – Free Annual Kids Fishing Tournament
Mud River Lake WMA Boat Launch
Registration 9 – 9:30 a.m.
Info: mary_napier@aol.com / 304-824-3336 x 221

June 24 – Regatta Race and Float
11 a.m. Branchland Park
Registration on site that day.
Info: www.facebook.com/TheLincolnLogWV

July 15 – Going Off the Deep End
Homemade and Modified Floating Water Crafts
Various Categories and Prizes
11 a.m. check-in. Branchland Park.
Info: ckarr@coalfield-development.org / 304-951-8223

July 22 – Mt State Anglers Tournament on the Guyandotte
Location TBA
Info: mskawv@gmail.com / 304-942-1122
www.facebook.com/mskawv

August 5 – Special Family Kayak Float
10 am. Branchland Park
Bring your own kayak. Also limited kayaks for rent.
Info and kayak rental: ricmacdowell@gmail.com / 304-824-2643

All Summer
Free Wednesdays at Camp Lake View
June 7, 14, 21, 28.
July 5, 12, 19, 26.
August 2, 9.
Supervised swimming, kayaking, canoeing, and light lunch.
10 am – 2 pm. Left Fork of Mud River Lake
Info: ricmacdowell@gmail.com / 304-824-2643

Events on the Guyandotte River depend on water levels. Check in advance!

Get involved in Lincoln County this Saturday, and for the rest of the summer!

“Change Isn’t Easy,” But Still Jenny Totten Has a Huge Vision For McDowell County

05.10.17

A lot of people think that I’m absolutely nuts for wanting to work in such a remote area of Appalachia.

But McDowell County has felt like home since the first time I set foot on the grounds of the Five Loaves and Two Fishes Foodbank, more than 4 years ago.

Since then I’ve gotten myself into several projects, ranging from economic development and business creation to community agriculture projects.

In order to do work in McDowell County, you have to believe in community development principles that put residents first and individual egos last.

You have to whole heartedly realize it is important to make small towns resilient and economies diversified while also paying homage to the deep roots coal has in central Appalachia.

You have to 100 percent understand that every single person is doing the best they can, and the best they know how to do.

And you have to whole heartedly realize it is important to make small towns resilient and economies diversified while also paying homage to the deep roots coal has in central Appalachia. Change isn’t easy, and it’s even harder here.

I am a boomerang child of West Virginia – a term used for natives who left the state but found themselves back for whatever reason. I grew up right outside of Charleston, in a small, tight-knit community near Kanawha State Forest called Loudendale. Im a proud graduate of GW High School, a Virginia Tech Hokie and a rocket scientist, by degree and practice.

After spending some time in Haiti, I chose to work on development projects in my own state because the best way to affect change is to return to a place that you intimately know and love. I have always been devoted to West Virginia and am so excited to get my hands dirty doing work in a community that I have fallen madly in love with.

My vision for McDowell County’s future is huge. I see small vibrant downtown areas in Kimball and Welch, a blossoming small scale local food economy, and a world where Welch does not close at 5 p.m.

In my spare time I coach an all-girls Lego Robotics team, farm on a postage stamp size piece of property, explore the outdoors, and create things that border between craft and middle school attempts at an art project.

My vision for McDowell County’s future is huge. I see small vibrant downtown areas in Kimball and Welch, a blossoming small scale local food economy, and a world where Welch does not close at 5 p.m.

I see organizations coming together to help the people of McDowell design their own solutions. Music, visual arts, and theater all play a role in McDowell’s future. I see the natural resource economy blossoming with increased usage of the Hatfield McCoy trails, Berwind Lake, and Panther State Forest.

And most importantly, I see a county where, when a high senior class is asked about their future, the easiest answer is not “Leave the area.”

Hello, Jenny

First Ever Open Mic Night Sparks a New Creative Community in McDowell County

05.09.17

Photo by Terry Bartley/The Hub

As I pulled into the lot, I could already hear music coming out of the building.

I walked in and saw a packed room, buzzing with positive energy. Everyone was there, at the Sterling Drive-In in Welch, West Virginia, to hear creative people express themselves.

This open mic night in McDowell County was one of several efforts in southern West Virginia to support a burgeoning local arts and cultural community funded through our Innovation Acceleration Strategy program, or IAS.

This first piece of their project involves a series of open mic nights as a way to pull artists together. Lori McKinney, of the Riff-Raff Arts Collective in Princeton, was pretty instrumental in putting this first event together. She strongly believes that open mic nights are essential in building a creative community.

“Creative people need to discover each other, and they need a reason to come together,” Lori says.

McKinney teamed up with McDowell County locals Craig Snow and Derek Tyson to pull it together. It was McKinney’s idea to use a place that people are familiar with, like the Sterling Drive-In, so that artists would feel more comfortable coming out.

I think this is a key reason this open mic was so successful – the environment was low-key, and everyone felt at ease.

Then it hit me. This really could work in basically any other community that wants to bring out creative folks.

In community development circles, we talk a lot about the idea of a “third space” – a location that isn’t work or home that the community can get together and casually talk about their community.

When I first started working with IAS, I thought that many of our communities didn’t really have a third space. I wouldn’t have even really thought of Sterling’s as one. The community seemed to think of it just as a place to grab food.

But the open mic night transformed a quiet little diner into an energetic third space. There is no reason this couldn’t happen in every other IAS community, or any other small town in Appalachia for that matter.

This first event cost them $100 for a sound engineer. That’s a small price to pay to provide a space for creatives to get together.

Now, I’m looking forward to attending another open mic night at the next small town in West Virginia that wants to follow Welch’s lead. Who’s up next?

You can keep up to date with the all the of news coming out of our IAS communities
at The Hub’s IAS blog feed!

In Alderson, Co-Op Artisans Gallery a Model for Community (and Commercial Sustainability)

04.27.17

Photos courtesy Alderson Artisans Gallery

One of the downsides of turning entrepreneurship into a career can be a sense of isolation.

This is especially true for working artists, who spend long hours in their workspace, alone, crafting art.

But in the small town of Alderson they’ve found a way for their artists to be a part of a larger community.

The Alderson Artisans Gallery functions like a co-op. They have seven working artists that showcase their work, and also spend time working behind the counter, sweeping the floor, keeping the books or managing its social media pages.

While they refer to themselves as a “shoestring operation,” they manage to keep the lights on without outside funding.

They also showcase the work of other local artists, that pay a slightly higher fee to be a part of the gallery.

The gallery was originally a project of Alderson Main Street, which provided funding for their first year of operation. Now the gallery is totally self-sufficient.

And while they still refer to themselves as a “shoestring operation,” they manage to keep the lights on without outside funding.

They integrate themselves more deeply into the community through partnerships with the local schools. The gallery provides space to showcase the work of local students throughout the year. The member artisans also pass on their knowledge through the form of classes.

The actual gallery space features regular gallery fare, like paintings, photography and sculptures. But they also feature works that are distinctively ‘Alderson.’ These pieces range from woodwork and stained glass to hooked rugs and clothing.

Alderson Artisans Gallery demonstrates that working together can really create something incredible. They’ve created a place to showcase the culture of Alderson while providing an income to local artists.