WILLIAMSON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – The historic coal-mining community of Williamson, West Virginia, is eager to participate in the Accelerate WV program and leverage its resources to chart a new path forward for the town.
Once known as the “Billion Dollar Coalfield” for the immense wealth generated by the region’s abundant coal reserves, Williamson experienced a population boom in the early 20th century, swelling to over 9,400 residents by 1930.
However, as the coal industry declined in the latter half of the century, Williamson’s fortunes waned, and its population has since shrunk to just 3,050 today.
Now the county seat of Mingo County, Williamson is determined to use the Accelerate WV initiative as a catalyst to strengthen and revitalize its community.
As Williamson’s Executive Assistant and Community Liaison, Darrin McCormick, explains, the town is no stranger to community development programs, having previously participated in initiatives like Blueprint Communities and HubCAP.
McCormick attests to the positive impacts of these past efforts, which have helped Williamson “persevere through some trying times” and continue to benefit the community today.
The Accelerate WV program represents an opportunity to build on those previous successes, empowering a new generation of diverse community leaders and stakeholders to develop coordinated, actionable plans that can mitigate the town’s challenges – such as the recent fire that damaged multiple vacant properties on Vinson Street – and chart a course towards a more prosperous future.
By leveraging the resources and expertise of the Accelerate WV program, the Williamson team is eager to take their community’s planning and development efforts to the next level, tackling longstanding issues head-on and positioning the town for sustainable growth and revitalization in the years to come.
