West Virginia Community Development Hub selects first communities for Accelerate WV

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WV News) — The West Virginia Community Development Hub has announced the first group of communities that will participate in the Accelerate WV program.

The Accelerate WV program is part of the Community and Business Resilience Initiative work as part of the larger Appalachian Climate Technology Coalition.

The Hub, along with Advantage Valley, AFV Educate, WV Brownfields Centers and The WV Hive, part of the New River Gorge Regional Development Authority, will work alongside six communities over the next two years.

Accelerate WV will be working in Wayne, the Fairfield community of Huntington, the West Side of Charleston, Webster County, Ronceverte and Princeton.

"We’re very excited to be accepted into the Hub's 2023 Accelerate WV Program and to have the opportunity to bring our leaders together to learn how to systematically grow our community," said Wayne County Commissioner Travis Thompson, Wayne Accelerate Community team member.

Eleven communities submitted applications in a competitive process each identifying key projects they want to move forward as part of their community's overall revitalization goals.

"Team Charleston West Side is beyond thrilled and appreciative to have access to funding opportunities to support community resilience and green development, economic development, and small business coaching," said Jennifer Pharr, West Side of Charleston Accelerate Community team member. "Our team is comprised of community leaders from diverse sectors and backgrounds committed to working collectively and collaboratively to make the most of this incredible opportunity."

The Hub and the program partners are going to be working alongside the six communities to help create Economic Resilience Plan, complete pre-development for a sustainable green development project aimed at revitalizing the local business districts, and connect the teams with needed private and federal funding.

These steps will help the selected communities to realize their goals for economic redevelopment to boost local economies across the state.

"We’re thrilled, and so grateful to continue our journey with The Hub in the Accelerate WV program; their guidance in the Blueprint Communities, HubCap and Downtown Appalachia programs was absolutely vital to our growth and development in downtown Princeton, and helped set us on a transformative course for our once-abandoned neighborhood," said Lori McKinney, Princeton Accelerate Community team member. "Now that we are flourishing with life, new energy and new possibilities, and emerging from the cocoon of the pandemic, we are so ready to take the next steps to organize, strategize and take the next big steps of growth with the expert coaching and community development wisdom of The Hub. Let's go!"

Accelerate WV communities will have access to local, regional, and national experts that will help with planning, implementation, and funding support.

"Our collaborative, Let's Advance Fairfield is excited to be working with the WV Community Development HUB, focusing on economic & community development in Fairfield, specifically leadership development, strengthening our resilience, and building a thriving community," said Mitzi Sinnott, Fairfield Accelerate Community team member.

The work will build new local community expertise and develop a long-term diverse local leadership team, and will establish sustained partnerships for long-term development.

"We are so thrilled for the opportunity to work alongside the West Virginia Community Development Hub in the Accelerate WV program. There are so many wonderful things happening in our town and we know that participating in this program will only enhance our ability to bring many more great projects to fruition." said Mayor Deena Pack, Ronceverte Accelerate Community team member.

The Accelerate WV program supports community leaders who are wanting to work together as a team to make a lasting impact on the economic well-being and quality of life for their fellow residents.

"We are thrilled to have been chosen for Accelerate WV 2023 program. Having outsiders see the potential in our community as much as we do is the wind in our sails to carry us to greater things. We are so excited for the future of Webster County!" said Alex Fliegel, Webster County Accelerate Community team member.

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