Where is Our Future? Free Webinar Series on New Economic Opportunities in Southern West Virginia

Since we began working in West Virginia at the end of 2016, it has been inspiring to see the great energy that exists in this state’s coal-impacted communities to tackle the economic issues the region is facing.

I’ve seen great determination among community leaders to diversify industries and get new commercial opportunities going. We are pleased to be working with the West Virginia Community Development Hub to bring in additional economic development expertise to support local efforts.

Founded three years before the Great Depression in 1923, the mission of the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) mission is to help people involved in the economic development profession to be more successful in their efforts to improve and stabilize their economies and create jobs.

As part of our work here in West Virginia, we’ll be hosting a series of free webinars over the next three months on specific topics, such as marketing for rural communities, how to deal with dilapidated buildings, and opportunities for heritage tourism.

Here’s where you can sign up for the webinars listed below.

Over the coming weeks we’ll also bring in subject matter experts to visit each of the five Innovation Acceleration Strategy (IAS) communities, and we’ll be holding more detailed discussions of what best economic development practices have worked in other communities.

Webinar Series

Business Retention and Expansion Programs for Existing Businesses
Jan. 26
10 – 11:30 a.m.

Marketing for Small and Rural Communities
Feb. 2
10 – 11:30 a.m.

Rivers as an Attraction for Tourism and Business Development
Feb. 15
10 – 11:30 a.m.

Best Practices for Dealing with Dilapidated and Abandoned Properties 
Feb. 23
10 – 11:30 a.m.

Preserving our Stories – Opportunities for Heritage Tourism
Mar. 15
10 – 11:30 a.m.

Maximizing the use of Federal and State Tools for Economic Development
Mar. 23
10 – 11:30 a.m.

We look forward to visiting with you and to offering mentoring support where you need it.

For more information on any of the webinars, feel free to contact me at lknight@iedconline.org