U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito will help leaders of the New River Gorge Regional Development Authority (NRGRDA) cut the ribbon at 1 p.m. on Thursday, November 7, 2024, for a new facility set to become the future home of PATTERN, which aims to leverage West Virginia’s knowledge of the outdoor industry, heritage and craftsmanship to create and expand textile manufacturing opportunities in southern West Virginia. Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, guests are invited to tour the building to explore its features and future offerings. The facility is scheduled for a full opening in Summer 2025.
Jina Belcher, NRGRDA’s executive director, explained that PATTERN stands for Planning and Accelerating Textile Technology and Entrepreneurship Regional Network. The new facility is at 412 City Avenue in Beckley and will become home to the region’s latest community and economic development engine.
Belcher says Capito embraced this project from its infancy and helped secure valuable federal funding to help make it a reality.
“We are blessed in the New River Gorge region and statewide to have Senator Capito on our team,” says Belcher. “In every way, Senator Capito and her skilled staff offer us the ability to dream big and bring innovative project ideas to her attention. PATTERN is one of our most game-changing economic development initiatives.”
“The establishment of the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve has resulted in a boost in visitors from all over, leading to great potential to fill voids in the outdoor textiles prototyping industry here in West Virginia.” Senator Capito says. “As a leader on the Appropriations Committee, I was proud to advocate for the support needed to establish this lab in southern West Virginia, and I’m looking forward to seeing the significant progress made as they work to complete it. This type of collaboration is critical to moving our state forward and strengthening our business climate, and I can’t wait to see what it does for local businesses when it is fully up and running.”
Moore says NRGRDA and WV Hive staff have been working in tandem with established and successful textile organizations in West Virginia and North Carolina to prepare this initiative to develop and sustain a ready workforce, invest in manufacturing and artisan resources and increase capacity for economic growth.
PATTERN will accelerate the textile industry through four primary strategic objectives: a textile innovation space, entrepreneurship and business support, space for manufacturing expansion and workforce development.
Belcher says the success of this project will be measured by quantifying new job creation, new capital investment, new businesses created, technical assistance deployed and an increase in locally made products. Most notably, the project will also leverage the re-designation of the New River Gorge National River to a National Park and Preserve.
