The WVU Brad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative (OEDC) is set to receive approximately $1.76 million in grant funding, which will consist of a just over $1.23 million contribution from the Appalachian Regional Commission as part of their POWER initiative and around $536,000 in matching funds from local partners. OEDC Director of Outdoor Economic and Community Development Andy Williamson expressed excitement regarding the large number of funds incoming to the economic development program, which will be used to help improve outdoor recreation systems across all of West Virginia’s 55 counties.
Morgantown, W.Va. — In a significant boost to West Virginia’s burgeoning outdoor
economy,
West Virginia University’s Brad & Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative
(OEDC)
has secured a $1,232,256 grant from the
Appalachian Regional Commission with an additional $536,155 in match from local
partners totaling $1,768,411. This funding will be used to launch the
West Virginia Community-driven Outdoor Recreation Economies C.O.R.E.) Initiative,
a strategic suite of programs designed to expand the state’s outdoor recreation
economy and strengthen its local communities, serving all 55 counties. This award
is part of a recently announced $68.2 million award package supporting 65 projects
in 188 coal-impacted counties through ARC’s
POWER (Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization)
Initiative, which directs federal resources to economic diversification projects
in Appalachian communities affected by job losses in coal mining, coal power plant
operations, and coal-related supply chain industries. The CORE Initiative will
launch four impactful programs aimed at building essential infrastructure, fostering
statewide collaboration, and driving sustainable growth across West Virginia’s
outdoor recreation economy—WV Outdoor Business Alliance, WV Outdoor Nonprofit Hub,
WV Trail Training & Education Resource Center, and Strategic Convenings of
WV's Outdoor Economy Ecosystem —all aimed at building infrastructure, fostering
collaboration, and promoting sustainable growth across West Virginia’s outdoor
sectors.
After earning a bachelor’s degree in business management with an emphasis in human
resource management from West Virginia University in 2023, Pennsylvania native,
Ian Thayer, knew exactly where he wanted to begin his post-grad journey: in West
Virginia!
Just as Zillow helps home buyers find houses for sale, commercial real estate developers
will soon be able to find the ideal property in West Virginia’s southern coalfields
using a similar land search system developed at West Virginia University.
Ascend West Virginia, the nation’s premier talent attraction and retention program,
today announced a new Homeownership Incentive that allows current Ascend members
to obtain a check in the amount of $12,000 when purchasing a home for primary
residence in the Mountain State. This initiative highlights the affordability
of home ownership in West Virginia and will lead to more significant economic
impact as Ascend participants begin laying down roots in the Mountain State.
West Virginia University Research Corporation, Morgantown, will receive a $717,116 grant to support expansion of the Vantage Ventures Accelerator program, providing technical assistance to small, technology-based businesses. This EDA investment will be matched with $412,381 in local funds and is expected to create 111 jobs, retain 30 jobs, and generate $19 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.
The West Virginia First Foundation has entered into a partnership with West Virginia University and Ascend West Virginia — which was launched during the pandemic through a financial gift from a sitting First Foundation board member — to open outreach offices in five cities and towns throughout the state, according to a Thursday news release.
West Virginia University and Ascend WV — the nation’s premier talent attraction and retention program supported by the WVU Brad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative — have joined forces to support the fight against the opioid epidemic in West Virginia.
Eliza Siefert, a 2022 WVU graduate and Parkersburg native, loved West Virginia. However, like many West Virginians, Eliza had every intention of leaving her beloved home state to pursue her career after college; and it wasn’t until she began working on her bachelor’s degree in environmental biology at WVU that she changed her mind.