Grafton

New Enterprise in Grafton Aims to Build Local Outdoor Recreation Industry

01.06.17

Photo courtesy of the West Virginia Department of Commerce.

A group of entrepreneurial folks in Grafton have launched a new outdoor recreation project that they hope will attract active visitors to their community.

This summer, The Adventure Club received a mini-grant from Try This WV to buy 6 kayaks for residents and visitors to use on the Tygart River in Grafton.

The Adventure Club received a mini-grant to buy kayaks for residents and visitors to use on the Tygart River.

The Adventure Club is a new collaborative effort between Project HOP2E and All Aboard Grafton with help from Try This WV, West Virginia University Reed College of Media, WVU Extension, Taylor County Family Resource Network and the City of Grafton to encourage residents and visitors to enjoy the beauty and adventure opportunities Grafton has to offer.

The group is now recruiting volunteers to help with fundraising, to build boat ramps in the summer months, administer surveys throughout the community, reach out to youth groups in the area, coordinate leagues (i.e. youth and adult kayaking leagues), and anyone who just wants to get involved by helping brainstorm and implement ideas to move the club forward.

The group has a lot of other ideas on how they can expand outdoor recreation opportunities in Grafton, such as bike races, a hiking club, paintball, and fishing competitions. But they need more people to join their club who can help make these great ideas real.

The group has a lot of ideas on how they can expand outdoor recreation opportunities in Grafton, such as bike races, a hiking club, paintball, and fishing competitions.

Here’s what the folks organizing the club have to say: “For many years, we have heard there was nothing to do in Grafton or Taylor County. Now is the time to change that forever. We need your help. Together we can make a difference! We can change the future dynamics of our county and communities.”

To get involved with the club or to find out more information contact them at 304-709-0164 or TCAdventureClub@gmail.com

This is a great model for other communities looking to do something similar.

Step by step, West Virginians will cultivate healthier communities for themselves. You have the power and passion to be wildly successful, now let’s keep pushing forward. To quote Kate Long, Co-Director of Try This, “It’s up to us.”

Happy paddling!

Two Years Later, All Aboard Grafton a Lasting Legacy of The Hub’s Work

11.21.16

All Aboard Grafton, Nov. 2016. Photo by The Hub

You might not know it, but this is a photograph of hope.

It’s a photograph of determination. And of commitment, And of passion.

This is a photograph of West Virginians refusing to let the present and the future just happen to them.

I took this photo a few Thursdays ago, when The Hub staff and board spent a couple of days in the small city of Grafton, in Taylor County.

“We wouldn’t be meeting today, or any of the days we have met, if not for The Hub.”

The Hub has been working with the people of Grafton since 2014, which is when the people of that city decided they wanted some help making positive change however they could, and became one of the first Turn This Town Around communities.

In Grafton, just like in the many other cities and towns across the state we have helped, The Hub didn’t come in with a magic wand and a million dollars. We didn’t parachute a Buffalo Wild Wings into the main street, and we didn’t just tell the people there what they wanted for their community. We asked them.

Far more powerfully, we showed the people of Grafton how to organize themselves, how to make plans and follow them, and how to recognize the assets they already had.

If The Hub has helped you or your community over the years, now is the perfect time to give thanks. Click here to make a small donation.

We empowered them to create their own future, and not to just accept one prescribed for them by outside forces who, well-meaning though they may be, aren’t going to still be in that community six months from now, 10 years from now, who aren’t going to grow up and grow old in that community, who aren’t going raise families there.

This photograph, above, is what this empowerment looks like. It’s a photograph of All Aboard Grafton.

The backbone of All Aboard Grafton is regular weekly meetings, just like this one. There’s no great trick to it – just a group of interested locals in a room together, sharing information about things that are happening in their community, and making plans.

It doesn’t sound particularly life-changing, does it? But you’d be surprised.

As simple an idea as this may seem, a regular meeting of locals is one of the most critical things a community can do in order to make good things happen where they live.

The creation of All Aboard Grafton is one of the lasting legacies of The Hub’s work there. It came about after we introduced local leaders in Grafton to our friends in Buckhannon who had just launched a similar initiative – Create Buckhannon.

Like Create Buckhannon, All Aboard Grafton has now created the necessary civic infrastructure for locals to create new things in the main street, throw events, cooperate, and to find funding and resources for big plans.

You can make a contribution to continue The Hub’s work, quickly, easily and online!

These kinds of connections are one of the many ways The Hub works to put local people in a position to decide what their community will look like. And it works.

“The Hub showed us how to talk with each other, how to work with each other,” says Tom Hart, one of the many locals behind All Aboard Grafton. “We wouldn’t be meeting today, or any of the days we have met, if not for The Hub.”

It’s why one of our slogans is Change, by you. (Not change, by us. Or, worse still, change, by them.)

As a Hub staff member, working every day to empower West Virginians to make great things happen in their communities is one of the things I’m thankful for this November.

If you are thankful for help The Hub has provided your community over the years, or just you personally, now is the perfect time to give thanks. You can make a contribution to continue The Hub’s work, quickly, easily and online!

And thanks.

Jake-Lynch

In Grafton, 9/11 Day of Service a Gathering of Hardworking VISTA

09.28.16

Photo by The Hub.

We knew it was going to be a good day for the 9/11 National Day of Service Project when we arrived at the Grafton rail yards on Monday and were greeted by an engine with the number 911 on its side.

Our project in Grafton was to prepare and paint a block wall for a mural which will dress up the area around Toad Hall. Toad Hall is a large open area overlooking the rail yard where the town built an open deck last year and that now holds many festivities, such as All Aboard Grafton’s First Fridays.

Armed with mason hammers, ladders, and brooms the members chiseled away excess cement from block seams to smooth the surface, pulled down old vines and then clean up the debris.

The next step was to prime and paint the surface to prepare it for the mural. At this point the wind began to pick up, presenting some challenges for the group, but with determination the project came in almost totally complete before the thunderstorm hit.

In all, seven AmeriCorps VISTA members assembled at Toad Hall in Grafton for the day of service.

Breanna Collins with Turn This Town Around, Grafton;
Emily Birckhead with Try This, West Virginia;
Walter Barnes with Project Hope;
Courtney Roark, Marissa Russell, Nicole Marrocco and Terry Bartley with The Hub.

VISTA members were treated to pizza for lunch provided by Tom Hart of Arts and Treasures of Grafton!

If you’re interested in becoming a VISTA, or just want to learn more, email me!

Louise-Henry

Turning It Around: Taylor County More Than Triples State Business Growth Average

08.03.16

Photo by Jessica McDonald

Since its Turn This Town Around year in 2014, the city of Grafton continues to demonstrate the positive impacts of an organized local development effort.

The opening of the Main Street Deck in Grafton—a Benedum-funded Turn This Town Around mini-grant project that leveraged an additional $60,000 in city and local business investment—has had an immediate impact on cultural activity and vibrancy in the downtown area.

biz-growth All Aboard Grafton’s launch of First Friday live entertainment, arts and local business events downtown has provided a much needed spark to the local business community and dramatically increased the liveability and appeal of the city.

Now, we are seeing the economic benefits that often follow the creation of an inviting local place for entertainment, music and art, and community socializing.

Taylor County, of which Grafton is the largest city and county seat, has seen a 6.15 percent increase in local business growth through the first six months of 2016, with 35 new businesses opening.

Jake-Lynch

Exponent Telegram: Grafton, Taylor County Top Local Business Growth in West Virginia

06.15.16

Grafton, First Fridays. Photo by Jessica McDonald.

By Brittany Murray/Exponent Telegram

GRAFTON — Taylor County has seen about a 5 1/2 percent increase in local business growth for 2016, with 10 new businesses in May alone.

Thus far in 2016, state data shows that 32 new businesses have opened their doors in Taylor County, with only 10 businesses closing.

“The Economic Development Authority was just reinstated in July 2015, so we are just regrouping, trying to get our board together and come up with some plans,” EDA Director Patricia Henderson said. “I think that the county has really worked very hard to come together to promote us.”

Thus far in 2016, 32 new businesses have opened their doors in Taylor County.

Taylor County Commission President Orville Wright believes reinstating the Economic Development Authority was a big reason why new businesses are opening in the county.

“They had a Economic Development Authority a few years ago, and for some reason it dissolved,” Wright said. “That was one of my pet peeves, so when I ran for office, I wanted to get that restarted…”

…Henderson said the city of Grafton has also done a great job of promoting its downtown, which has in turn attracted new businesses.

“We have a lot of vacant land parcels that are available for any type of reuse. People are looking for a way to keep their children and their family within the county.”

“Taylor County has a lot to offer. We have a lot of vacant land parcels that are available for any type of reuse,” she said. “I think people are looking for a way to keep their children and their family within the county, as well as within the state.”

Four new businesses in Taylor County have already opened in June, and the county is working to carry that growth throughout the rest of 2016…

Read the full story at www.theet.com

For more information on Grafton’s efforts to improve their local economy,
visit www.facebook.com/allaboardgrafton/

One Small Step for West Virginia… Celebrating Some Awesome Physical Activity Firsts in the Mountain State

05.13.16

Photo by Anna Jarvis Elementary School PTO

It’s only May and there have already been a lot of great physical activity “firsts” in West Virginia. Here’s a quick recap of some of them to inspire you and get you thinking about something you could try!

Opening Day for Harrison Rail Trails

This newly formed rail-trail group is going strong! On April 16 they hosted a Spring Discovery Walk to invite people to walk on the rail-trail and learn about all the different things they can do on the trail, including meeting with a local cycling club, learning about geocaching, joining a “gratitude walking group” (more on this below), and learning about West Virginia flora from certified herbalists.

Check out their Facebook page for more information about what they’re up to next: www.facebook.com/HarrisonRailTrails/

Gratitude Walking Group

This brand new idea is just getting off the ground in Harrison and Marion counties.

The idea is, we spend so much time complaining about things; why not take 30-60 minutes to move and to think about all the things we’re thankful for? The weekly walks take place at different times and in different locations, so there’s probably one that fits your schedule. More info: www.facebook.com/wvgratitudewalk/

Anna Jarvis Elementary School Color Run

A color run, at an elementary school? Yes!

Anna Jarvis Elementary in Grafton organized their first color run fundraiser this year. On April 30, 2016 the Anna Jarvis PTO held its first AJ Mother’s Day Color Run. With 350 in attendance, the event was a roaring success. Mark your calendars for next year’s AJ Mother’s Day Color Run: Saturday, May 6, 2017.

Check out some great photos from the event!

Photo by hopeless128/FlickrCC

West Virginia Bike Summit

The first statewide bike summit, organized by WV Connecting Communities, was held in Charleston on April 17-18. It included group rides, presentations about the best places to cycle in the state, and lots of great information about biking and health, quality of life, and economic development.

West Virginia Public Broadcasting has more information, plus a video of a group ride.

Ready to attend the 2017 summit? Stay up to date about what’s happening on WVCC’s website: wvconnectingcommunities.com/events.php.

Active Southern WV Bridge Day 5k, October 15, 2016

Okay, this one hasn’t happened yet, but it’s a very cool physical activity first…

This is the first ever, in history, running event across the New River Gorge Bridge in Fayetteville! It benefits the Active SWV Kids Running Clubs. Start on the north side, and run across the bridge with a police escort in a closed lane. Exit the event onto open town streets, lap around the Fayetteville Town Park, and finish beside the Historic Fayette County Courthouse.

Pretty awesome. Heads up: due to tight Bridge Day event timing, no walkers are permitted this year.

Got a physical activity “first” happening in your area? Share the good news with the West Virginia Physical Activity Network!

In Grafton, a New Earth Day Tree-dition to Beautify the Local Landscape

04.27.16

Phil Kelley planting and Gavin Royce manning the wheelbarrow during Grafton’s Earth Day planting.

By Breanna Collins, AmeriCorps VISTA in Grafton

Michaela Flohr planting her first tree ever!

The cold and rainy weather didn’t stop All Aboard Grafton members and local volunteers, ranging from small children to more seasoned adults, from planting trees around Grafton, in honor of Earth Day last weekend.

The group planted trees in vacant lots behind Latrobe Street as well as the Maple Avenue Park and the city park below the Tygart Lake Dam.

This group was dedicated to helping the environment and passionate about volunteering their time to making Grafton a more beautiful place.

They planted a variety of trees: Yellow Poplars, Red Oaks, Sugar Maples, Black Walnut and Shagbark Hickory. And they all look forward to continuing this great local tradition.

To learn more about VISTA opportunities in communities across West Virginia, email The Hub’s VISTA Coordinator, Louise Henry, at l.henry@wvhub.org

In Grafton, New Main Street Deck a Testament to Community Sticking Together

07.13.15

Photo by Charles White/All Aboard Grafton

You know, good community development is a lot like good comedy – timing is everything.

The community has to be ready to throw its support behind a certain project, and only then do you see great plans turn into real action. And when that community support is there, well, then the sky is limit!

We provided them with a $2,500 mini grant… we knew the people of Grafton would have to raise a lot more money and support to make their big idea a reality.

Early last year the people of Grafton raised the idea of building some kind of space in their main street for performances and public events. A vision emerged of a large deck on the vacant site of what was once called the Clark Building.

This was during the Turn This Town Around initiative, and Hub staff were working with locals to identify and cultivate achievable community development projects.

Back then, we provided them with a $2,500 mini grant to help get things started – just a small first step. We knew the people of Grafton would have to raise a lot more money and support to make their big idea a reality.

And then things started happening.

Photo by All Aboard Grafton

The City of Grafton contributed $10,000, including funding the purchase of the lot… Local community members started donating what they could to the deck project – time and materials mostly… The local Lowes provided a discount on lumber… And then Arch Coal, the company that owns the nearby Leer Mining Complex, threw their considerable support behind the project, donating $40,000 in supplies and construction assistance.

And hey presto, the deck was built.

Although some work remains to be done, already the Grafton Main Street deck has started hosting events, not only providing a great outlet for entertainment and community gathering, but also generating some new economic activity for food vendors and tourism businesses.

And the flow-on effects continue, with other businesses in the main street being inspired to give their storefronts a facelift, and developing plans to take advantage of the increased foot traffic during events.

This project is the perfect example of a place pulling together to create something wonderful that will benefit everyone in the community.

I am so proud of the people of Grafton for making this happen. It just goes to show what happens when a community commits itself to a simple idea, is patient, and is open to bringing all and any new partners into the project.

Want to see what all the fuss is about for yourself? On Friday, Aug. 7, the Main Street Deck will receive it’s official unveiling as part of Grafton’s First Friday festivities.

Get along. You’ll have a blast.

$30,000, with a catch: Grafton bonus comes with challenge to community

01.28.15

Photo courtesy Turn This Town Around Grafton

They say that positive energy is infectious. On Tuesday night, the people of Grafton received undeniable proof.

As we celebrated their first year of involvement in the Turn This Town Around program at a special gathering in Grafton on Tuesday night, the great spirit of the occasion received the perfect accompaniment with the announcement that the City of Grafton and Taylor County would support this remarkable community effort with an additional $30,000 toward local projects.

Each municipality will contribute $15,000, to support at least 15 new community initiatives, continuing the model created by Turn This Town Around – small and affordable local projects, imagined, planned and executed by the locals themselves. During Year 1 of Grafton’s Turn This Town Around work, this included First Friday local business events, downtown wayfinding signage, the expansion of the Grafton Farmers Market, and the restoration of the much-loved Manos Theatre (above).

“We could all take what our yearnings were for the town and turn them into action,” said community leader Tom Hart. “We may not have all the money in the world, but when you have talent like the people we have here, anything is possible.”

“This is a wonderful investment in the city and the people of Grafton,” said the Hub’s Director of Community Strategies Amanda Yager of the $30,000 set aside. “It’s also a terrific example of something we always tell community members when we begin the process – ‘don’t get hung up on the money thing.’ Just start with conversation, and organizing, and prioritizing. Funding will only come when there are clear community priorities and a visible way forward.”

But there is a catch. The citizens will only receive the additional $30,000 if they can provide a partial match of their own – $15,000. So the gauntlet has been thrown down.

At Tuesday night’s meeting, Hub staff provided some guidance about strategies for successful fundraising, and the importance of looking to successful local examples for inspiration and education about what can work. For example, in the southern part of the state the community of Alderson just launched a crowdfunding campaign at Indiegogo.com, with the goal of raising $30,400 to start a grocery store featuring local fresh produce.

Interested in learning more about how crowdfunding platforms like Indiegogo and Kickstarter work? There are clear step-by-step instructions on each site. We recommend you begin by looking through the project examples for lessons on what other people have done in communities like yours!

TTTA grant recipients announced

10.02.14

In June, we announced that the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation would be awarding $75,000 each to Grafton and Matewan to projects proposed by teams in each community. The process was a competitive one where teams of at least three people submitted proposals with action plans for projects to benefit their communities.

We are excited to announce the grant recipients in each town. The projects are divided into Mini Grants ($2,500 max.) and Pre-Development Projects.Read More