Abandoned buildings reduce property values; increase crime, drug activity, costs for police and fire departments and infrastructure repair costs; hobble economic development and provide significant environmental and health hazards.
They are a major problem for our state, which is why the Property Rescue Initiative (PRI) was launched in 2015, to create a revolving loan fund of $1 million per year over the next five years, for municipalities and counties to acquire and/or remove dilapidated properties in their communities.
On Friday, March 18, Beckley will host the latest in a series of PRI workshops in 2016 that will help interested parties access PRI funding, and provide technical assistance for locals wanting to address abandoned buildings in their communities.
The deadline to register for the workshop is Tuesday, March. 15!
The full day workshop will feature guest speakers, interactive sessions on stakeholder engagement and the BAD Buildings process, and a panel of experts who will discuss creative ways to repay loans and reuse problem properties. Registration is $15.
You are encouraged to bring several people from your community, especially to attend the two breakout sessions.
