WEST VIRGINIA (LOOTPRESS) – The West Virginia Community Development Hub (The Hub) is excited to announce the selection of the second cohort of communities for the Accelerate WV program.
This program is part of the Community and Business Resilience Initiative (CBRI) under the larger Appalachian Climate Technology Coalition (ACT Now Coalition). Alongside partners like Advantage Valley, AFV Educate, WV Brownfields Centers, and The WV Hive of the New River Gorge Regional Development Authority (NRGRDA), The Hub will be working with ten new communities over the next two years.
The communities selected for the program are Logan, Gilbert, Kimball, Williamson, Highlawn, Summersville, Hinton, Mason County, Madison, and Kermit.
Brianna Hickman, The Hub’s CBRI Project Director, expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming Accelerate WV initiative, saying, “I’m very excited for the next round of Accelerate WV and to work in 10 new communities throughout Southern West Virginia who are passionate about transforming their hometowns while navigating shifts in the energy sector.” She mentioned that the application pool was highly competitive and shared her excitement about the launch of the new cohort.
Eleven communities went through a rigorous application process, each outlining key projects as part of their revitalization goals. The second cohort teams will take part in regular community meetings, group training sessions, and informational webinars to guide their planning process and identify priority areas for their economic resilience plans.
These plans, led by the communities, will serve as roadmaps for economic and community success in the coming years. The selected communities will have access to local, regional, and national experts to aid in planning, implementation, and funding support.
The program aims to develop local expertise and build a strong local leadership team, fostering sustained partnerships for long-term development. Hickman also highlighted the success of the first cohort, mentioning how they engaged the community, found innovative solutions, and established valuable networks. She expressed excitement about the addition of these 10 new teams to the program.
The Accelerate WV program provides support to community leaders who are dedicated to making a lasting impact on the economic well-being and quality of life for their residents.
