“After a conversation with Franklin’s coach, Amanda Workman Scott, we decided that a study would be the perfect use of our (technical assistance) funding,” said Laura Brown, the Executive Director of the Pendleton County Economic Development Authority. “We are not only gathering current existing rock formations that are open for public use, but also gathering the data for private rock formations for future use. The study will give us a map to use internally as well as provide the state tourism office with information regarding tourism assets.”

“One of our biggest hurdles is overcoming negative perceptions about the cleanliness of the river and how focusing resources on this project will ultimately benefit the community,” Elkins City Recorder Jessica Sutton says. “Community leaders recognize the potential and desirability of reframing the river into a usable asset. Community members have been equally receptive and excited in the prospect. Our hope is to improve alternative transportation to better connect our community,; to offer easily accessible recreation options that will improve the health and well-being of our residents,; and to increase our presence as a recreation tourism destination. Each of these will improve our economic and community viability.”

“I’m thankful for HubCAP for bringing me out of the tourism and marketing work that I do into a different side of the work focusing on outdoor recreation economy through things like fostering business and community development,” Chelsea Faulknier, vice president of the Marlinton Chamber of Commerce, said. “I’ve heard a lot of folks say in the past that there is so much planning and not enough action. HubCAP has been great for Marlinton to give us this push to take our action plan and really push the ideas and make things happen.”

”We are so grateful for the support that we received from our community partners. We were new to the historic renovation and tax credit process which created additional challenges. Thankfully these partners were able to provide us with resources to help us be successful.” Carla Kaposy, Conventions and Visitors Bureau (CVB) Director of Petersburg, said about the work on The Hermitage Inn.

“The Hermitage Inn project in Petersburg not only transformed a prominent historic property into a remarkable visitor venue, it brought forward another valuable economic asset in a community on the rise,” Ray Moeller, the Economic Redevelopment Specialist with West Virginia Brownfields, said. “It was a pleasure to play a small but vital role in the success of this effort.”

“The WV Hive is thrilled to have the opportunity to work with such an impactful group of partners on this transformational project and deeply appreciate the trust of the U.S. EDA on this award,” comments Judy Moore, Executive Director of WV Hive and Deputy Director of New River Gorge Regional Development Authority (NRGRDA) about participating in the CBRI work. “The work will not only allow us to provide more entrepreneurs and business owners with support, but it will also allow us to work alongside partners to truly transform the business climate for southern West Virginia.”

“Advantage Valley is a very proud partner in the ACT Now Coalition,” Terrell Ellis, the Executive Director for Advantage Valley, says. “With the award of Build Back Better funding we look forward to expanding FASTER WV, our entrepreneurship program, to serve more counties and entrepreneurs with technical support and access to capital.  We look forward to building a more resilient economy for our communities.”

“West Virginia continues to see the benefits of the critical American Rescue Plan investments that drive economic development and create good-paying, long-term jobs, and today’s announcement is great news for our entire state,” said Senator Joe Manchin. “It is a testament to our hardworking fellow West Virginians and forward-thinking communities that West Virginia was one of just 21 recipients of the EDA’s Regional Challenge program. I’m pleased the EDA is investing nearly $63 million in communities across southern West Virginia to strengthen local economies, support our energy industries and expand job opportunities. This is an incredible opportunity and I look forward to seeing the positive impacts of this funding for years to come.”

​​“For decades, we’ve known the economy of southern West Virginia needs diversification. Some progress has been made on this goal, but not nearly enough,” said Brandon Dennison, CEO of Coalfield Development. “ACT Now constitutes a tangible opportunity to take a major leap forward in this generational challenge to become a vibrant, growing, diversified economy. In the wake of continued coal-job losses, nothing could be more important for our region.”

“The in person sessions were the best part of this program. Being able to work together with like minded community advocates really helped me see that my community is not alone but that other struggle with the same barriers and it takes working together to bring change. I enjoyed meeting all of the incredible people that are out there working so hard to help our state meet its full potential!”

“Having in-person and virtual meetings gave different aspects of how meetings can go and how we can facilitate them differently. The High 5 Strengths test was interesting, learning to work with your own strengths and how to use your strengths was very helpful.”

“I was surprised to find an organization that leads its people with the appreciative/positive psychology framework so intentionally. I have been aware of it and used it with stakeholders but never been ‘supervised’ or poured into in quite the same way.”

“So, for The Hub, we really see community development and economic development as a straight line, connected together,” Stephanie Tyree said about the ACT Now Coalition work during the Small Communities, BIG Solutions conference. “The Community and Business Resilience Initiative is the first time that we’ve ever been able to take a comprehensive approach to community engagement, locally based leadership development, planning and project development, small business development and support, brownfields redevelopment, and construction development. So that sounds like a lot of different things, but when you’re talking about small community revitalization, those are the pieces of the pie. This is really a transformational opportunity for us to be able to take a whole pie approach to the work rather than have to cut off little pieces of it.”

“Into 2023 and beyond, we really want to work to build relationships and trust across the community development system,” Alecia Allen said while introducing the Steering Committee at the SCBS Conference. “We want to identify system-wide gaps and create a collective impact in those spaces of need. We want to increase the capacity within the community development system and we want to engage young people and new people.”

“You don’t need a lot of people in the room to start something great, you just need the right people,” Sandy Hunt, Mayor of New Martinsville, said during the SC panel.

“Everyone is an expert in their own communities,” Bryan Phillips, Policy Engagement Coordinator for The Hub, said during the policy working group session at SCBS conference.