
Photo by M.V. Jantzen/FlickrCC
Tuesday, November 15 is an important day for McDowell, Wyoming and Lincoln counties, Madison and Alderson – the five southern West Virginia communities currently working through The Hub’s Innovation Acceleration Strategies (IAS) program to identify new economic opportunities.
For November 15 is the deadline to pitch us for the Bucks for Bright Ideas contest, and the chance to win $5,000 to support a new economic diversification project.
Bucks for Bright Ideas is a funding competition for the sector teams in the five IAS communities to work on plans and projects around local food and agriculture, recreation and tourism, arts and culture, small business development and more.
Applications are due from these teams on November 15.
The best five ideas will be selected as finalists, and will present their pitches at the IAS Economic Development Workshop in Beckley on December 1.
The winner will take home $5,000 for their projects, second place will receive $2,000, with a $1,000 for third.
Beyond the Bucks for Bright Ideas pitch competition, the IAS Workshop will give communities the opportunity to seek additional support for their plans and projects, to see what other communities are working on, and network with a variety of statewide organizations that can assist them as they diversify their local economy.
An additional non-competitive mini-grant program will also open up for the communities to use as well.
So, if you are in an IAS community, work on economic or community development, produce local media or are just generally interested, sign up here!