By Leah Payne
Southern West Virginia will be shining this fall when, for the first time, the Alliance for Economic Development of Southern West Virginia, West Virginia Community Development Hub and Coalfield Development Corporation team up to recognize the many successes that are happening across the Mountain State’s 21 most southern counties. The Small Communities, BIG Solutions Conference is scheduled for October 22-23 at BridgeValley Community and Technical College’s Advanced Technology Center, located at the West Virginia Regional Technology Park in South Charleston.
“This conference will give attendees a wonderful opportunity to network, make new connections and learn about success stories that are happening right here in Southern West Virginia,” says Sara Payne Scarbro, the alliance’s operations council chair. “Far too often we overlook what we are doing well, and this conference is about learning what is actually working in our communities and how to build upon those successes.”
Conference participants include businesses, educators, community leaders and public officials with boots on the ground.
“I travel Southern West Virginia every day for my job, and I am amazed by West Virginians’ commitment and dedication to their communities,” says Brandon Dennison, CEO of the Coalfield Development Corporation. “This conference is a testament to that dedication, and I am excited that Coalfield Development is a partner.”
The two-day function includes prominent West Virginia leaders like U.S. Senators Joe Manchin and Shelley Moore Capito, as well as West Virginia Army National Guard Adjutant General James Hoyer. In addition, a representative with the Federal Communications Commission will provide a Universal Service Fund and rural broadband update.
Attendees will hear from businesses like American Electric Power and N3 and have an opportunity to attend various breakout sessions on topics that include agriculture, addiction and recovery, workforce development, community revitalization, creative place making, tourism and many more. A 2019 Policy Look Ahead will close the conference.
The conference partners will also highlight five initiatives during POWER of Performance segments throughout the conference.
“We truly want to honor our own during this conference,” says Stephanie Tyree, executive director of the West Virginia Community Development Hub. “These POWER performers can be businesses, grantees, community activists or individuals. This is time for Southern West Virginia to shine, and we want to make sure we are highlighting the best of the best during our conference. I encourage anyone who is making a positive impact to apply.”
Power of Performance honorees can be an individual, employer, nonprofit, organization or institution that is doing something remarkable in Southern West Virginia. Individuals can enter in one of three categories: Putting People to Work, Revitalizing Communities or Changing Lives. The goal is to highlight success stories within the following 21-county region: Boone, Cabell, Clay, Fayette, Greenbrier, Kanawha, Lincoln, Logan, Mason, McDowell, Mercer, Mingo, Monroe, Nicholas, Pocahontas, Putnam, Raleigh, Summers, Wayne, Webster and Wyoming.
About the Author
Leah Payne is a veteran communicator with more than 25 years of experience. She currently serves as the director of communications for Marshall University. A native of Charleston and two-time graduate of Marshall University, Payne joined the university in 2005, working first as a public relations assistant and then as a broadcast specialist. After completing her master’s degree in public relations, she was named director of public affairs for the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine and the Marshall University School of Pharmacy in 2012.
