FAIRMONT, WV (LOOTPRESS) – The West Virginia Community Development Hub has announced Fairmont as one of two communities across the state to be named Cultivate Communities for 2024-2025.
The Cultivate WV program helps build sustainable community engagement through workshops and project planning.
In the City’s application, staff was asked questions about the community, its assets and its projects. The most attractive aspect of this program is its focus on engaging the community.
“Community member engagement is absolutely key to successful community change that better supports everyone and creates change that matters more,” Director of Planning & Development Shae Strait said.
“When our citizens are involved and take ownership, whether it be for clean-up events or creating public art, it creates a sense of pride in the community and creates the power for more positive change, which is exactly what WV communities want and need.”
The topic of community engagement on which staff focused was citizen-led beautification efforts, which could eventually form an official Beautification Committee.
With this partnership, City Staff hope to foster a healthy dialogue with citizens to make meaningful changes and improvements to Fairmont as a whole.
“These community-led efforts will allow the City to continue to grow what it offers those who live, work and play here.” Assistant City Planner Erin Hager said. Hager contributed the bulk of the work done to acquire this opportunity.
“The benefits will likely stretch into the county and the entire region, helping to create an environment where people want to visit and build their lives.”
The core of the year-long Cultivate WV program will consist of monthly workshops focusing on civic and community engagement and these workshops will be free and open to the public for anyone to attend.
As the program materializes, more information will be given, including information about the kickoff event in May.
“This is a win-win for City Staff and for Fairmont’s citizens. Resident input always makes our jobs easier, especially when they know the correct ways to vie for the changes they want to see,” Interim City Manager Janet Keller said.
“We’re honored to be one of the select few municipalities to receive this opportunity. I’m confident that this will bring nothing but benefit to Fairmont.”
