Micro-funding Events to Help WV Entrepreneurs

From the folks at the West Virginia Community Development Hub:  Vision Shared will host a series of community based pilot programs throughout West Virginia called the Entrepreneurs' Cafe. The program aims to provide micro-funding awards to entrepreneurs at the local level. The program is designed to replicate a successful micro-funding program in Huntington, W.Va. called Cafe Huntington. Vision Shared will co-host and support cafe launch events in Shepherdstown, Buckhannon, Clarksburg, Williamson and a location to be identified through a competitive application process.  Attendees pay for a meal, an opportunity to hear small business development ideas and then vote on their favorite project. The winning entrepreneur receives the proceeds from the purchase of meals and a special cash award provided by Vision Shared for the launch events.    The Entrepreneurs' Cafe program is part of a long-term plan to develop the entrepreneurial climate in West Virginia by Vision Shared. In May 2012 Vision Shared released a white paper outlining strategies for encouraging economic growth and development through entrepreneurial education and activity.    To view the white paper or for more information about the Cafe Program visit www.revWV.com or call 304.522.3948.    Cafe Shepherdstown September 6, 2012, 6:00 PM The Station at Shepherdstown Audrey Egle Drive Shepherdstown, WV 25443 RSVP Cafe Buckhannon September 18, 2012, 6:00 PM C.J. Maggies 16 East Main Street, 2nd Floor Buckhannon, WV 26201 RSVP Cafe Clarksburg – Harrison County September 19, 2012, 5:30 PM Location To Be Announced Clarksburg, WV RSVP 'Thrive' Launch Event (A program of the Charleston Area Alliance) September 19, 2012, 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM DigiSo 1506 Kanwaha Blvd....

More thoughtful commentary on coal transition from the Hazard Herald...

The folks at the Hazard Herald have another terrific editorial about economic transition in Appalachia. It's great that a leading Appalachian newspaper is taking up the call for diversification, and we hope that they continue to do so. Be sure to click the link above for the full editorial, but here is my favorite part: It’s not going to be an easy task ahead of us. It’s going to be hard work, long hours and lots of headache. But one thing we know for sure is that coal won’t last forever, and we can’t expect it to. We should continue to capitalize on our local coal industry and the jobs it provides, but if we wish to provide a future for our children and their children, now is the time to begin work to diversify our economy. This also isn’t a new notion, but it’s one that more people in positions of power should ascribe to....

West Liberty’s Recovery Could Mean Bigger, Better Things...

The top story in Sunday's Lexington Herald-Leader was about the rebuilding of West Liberty, which is struggling to rebuild after it was decimated by a tornado back on March 2. The community was recently visited by a leader from Greensburg, Kansas, a similarly-devastated rural town that has rebuilt itself as a model of energy efficiency: Greensburg still struggles, but its "green" strategy has paid off in spades. Tourists, civic leaders and journalists come to Greensburg from around the world to see 13 public buildings and many homes and businesses that were rebuilt with the latest energy-efficient designs and technology…. "If we had not pursued this strategy," Wallach said, "I don't think the town would still be there." According to the article, West Liberty has plenty of ideas for coming out of this tragedy better and stronger than before. Energy efficiency is just one part of the  B.E.G.I.N Again strategy, which stands for "Building Entrepreneurial, Green, Innovative, Networked enterprises:" The plan also offers several ideas for better positioning West Liberty, a former tobacco farming community, in the 21st-century economy. One is capitalizing on nearby Cave Run Lake, the Red River Gorge and hunting and fishing assets to make West Liberty a tourist hub for eco-tourism and outdoor recreation. That would include developing trails and other attractions along the city's lovely Licking River frontage.   Other ideas include developing a 21st-century model for rural health care using West Liberty's recently restored hospital; fostering local entrepreneurship; putting a free wireless Internet system...

Video: The Challenge for Small Farmers in Southwest Virginia

  Check out this great video from Appalachian Sustainable Development (created by Bread for the World), featuring two farmers from Southwest Virginia and the terrific Appalachian Harvest program. And don't forget to stop by a Farmer's Market this weekend to support your local food economy!...

Why are Kentucky’s Western coal counties doing better than Appalachia?...

This question was the topic of a nice article on the Hazard Herald's website today. Western Kentucky's coal counties have seen declines in their unemployment rates, while eastern Kentucky's unemployment rates have only been increasing. While there are several factors involved (including the fact that Illinois Basin coal is cheaper and in higher demand), one major reason is that Western Kentucky's counties have a more diversified economy. According to the article, When comparing employment trends in the eastern and western parts of the state, in some of the western coal counties, the coal industry has not remained the largest private employer over the years. In Hopkins County in 2010, which are the latest figures available from the state, four other private employment sectors offered more jobs than mining, including manufacturing, retail and health care…. In Henderson County, where in 2009 just over 3.1 million tons of coal were produced (Leslie County produced about 3.6 million by comparison), that diversification began about two decades ago when the coal industry there suffered a bit of a downturn, noted Brad Schneider, president of the Henderson Chamber of Commerce.   “There was a concerted effort to pursue other types of businesses, especially industrial, and we had some success,” Schneider said. In other words, when Henderson County's coal  industry drooped, officials were proactive in diversifying their economy. Important lessons for Eastern Kentucky and other Central Applachian coal counties, but one that is being learned the hard way right now. The article also quotes MACED's own...

Register Now for the Brushy Fork Institute

If you haven't yet registered for the amazing Brushy Fork Institute, now's the time. The four-day leadership-building wroskhop is offering several new tracks this year, including Advanced Grantwriting and Emergency Preparedness for Non-Profits.  From their website:  At the Brushy Fork Annual Institute, you will build hands-on skills, expand your network of contacts and resources and explore contemporary Appalachian issues. The three-day Institute includes: Hands-on workshop tracks that develop your skills in areas such as grant writing, web site development, leadership, nonprofit management, finances and community development; Informative plenary sessions presented by nationally known experts; Networking opportunities with other people working to improve life in their communities. A full listing of tracks is here (PDF). Brushy Fork will be held September 11-14 on the campus of Berea College. Click here to register!...

Floyd County CFA Members Lead By Example and Make the Case for Local Food in EKY...

A great article from our friends at the Community Farm Alliance:  After months of planning and planting, the Floyd County Farmers Market opened for business on July 14th.  There was a great turn out on opening day.  Tables were filled with local meats, fresh raw honey and beautiful, locally grown produce, more often than not of the heirloom variety.  CFA member and Floyd County Market Manager, Todd Howard’s hours of hard work organizing a new vision and spirit for this market are clearly evident by the consistent rush of Floyd/South Magoffin County residents.  The Floyd County Farmers’ Market is located in the heart of downtown Prestonsburg.  Through a partnership with the city, market vendors set up under a covered pavilion. What sets this market aside from other rural farmers’ markets in Eastern Kentucky is the combination of Todd’s strong leadership and the dedicated community support, in particular from members of Appalachian Roots, a coalition of Kentuckians dedicated to bringing food self-reliance to the region.  Appalachian Roots aims to develop a local foods system where producers and markets work together to bring fresh, local produce to the citizens of Floyd/South Magoffin counties and likewise, they hope to raise awareness and educate their friends and neighbors about the availability of local produce.  At the center of all of this is the Floyd County Farmers’ Market, where Appalachian Roots members communicate with producers and consumers alike and begin to chart the course for bringing them all together.    The local food landscape...

Mark Your Calendar: WV Community Development Conference

From the West Virginia Community Development Hub:  The WVU Community Resource & Economic Development team is coordinating a first of its kind conference called "Harnessing Energy for Successful Community Development: Facilitating Responsible Growth During Economic Recovery."   In the wake of the Marcellus boom, the conference is designed to develop our communities and to promote community leadership. The conference will feature nationally known speaker and author Luther Snow, as well as prominent state leaders like Senator Jeff Kessler and Scott Rotruck.   The conference will be held October 4-5, 2012 at the Waterfront Place Hotel in Morgantown. Stay tuned for new developments on the conference website as well as a full schedule of events....