Throughout The Hub’s work in Pendleton and Grant Counties in our HubCAP (Hub Communities of Achievement Program) the common theme of collaboration and shared assets was a constant. As small, rural counties that share one of the state’s most iconic recreation areas, Seneca Rocks, the HubCAP teams didn’t shy away from the opportunity to come together for projects that would be beneficial to both communities. An early success of this effort was working together to create a brochure, with the help of NewSouth Media, for the Smoke Hole Canyon area, a recreation area that spans both counties.
As the community members continued to work together, building relationships and trust through HubCAP and their work with Mon Forest Towns initiative, they began to think bigger. Funders are increasingly looking for collaboration and regional approaches to combat broadband, economic, and workforce development issues. Months of conversation and idea sharing between the communities led to discussion of creating a joint Economic Development Authority (EDA) for both counties. Jina Belcher, New River Gorge Regional Development Authority (NRGRDA) Executive Director, provided mentoring and guidance during the discussions. NRGRDA is a regional EDA in Southern West Virginia serving four counties that create the New River Gorge and recently designated National Park; this model has proven to be successful for this area.
On August 1, 2023, it became official with the creation of Seneca Rocks Regional Development Authority with Pendelton native Laura Brown at the helm. The new authority will be called the Seneca Rocks Regional Development Authority capitalizing on the name recognition of one of the most iconic locations in West Virginia.
“There is no more recognizable location in West Virginia than Seneca Rocks,” says Dayne Davis, chairman of the Pendleton County Economic and Community Development Authority. “It speaks to our scenic beauty and endless outdoor recreation, agriculture, and small business opportunities in both counties.” Davis also stated, “Being stronger together, better together, gives us the opportunity to get more grants. Many grants look at the potential population served. With Pendleton and Grant counties combining efforts for the two counties’ 19,000 people, more grant money could provide more benefit to both counties.”
“We are being strategic and intentional in this transition”, says Jay Mongold, president of the Grant County Development Authority. “We are committed to making sure that we maximize every existing and future opportunity to bring positive development opportunities to both counties.”
Franklin and Petersburg have participated in two programs with The Hub, HubCAP and Downtown Appalachia: Revitalizing Recreational Economies (DARRE), taking on outdoor recreation and downtown redevelopment projects.
These initiatives have resulted in additional design and funding for the Petersburg hike and bike trail, a new promotional plan for Grant CVB, a climbing study for Pendleton County, and redevelopment projects in each community including the newly opened Hermitage Inn and Taphouse.