A citizen-led effort to explore possible new economic opportunities in Alderson continues to strengthen. Alderson Moving Forward, consisting of community leaders, business owners, elected officials and everyday citizens, received word recently that Alderson had been selected as one of five communities in southern West Virginia to receive hands-on coaching to help identify new ideas for local and regional businesses.
That coaching and assistance will be provided by staff at the West Virginia Community Development Hub, through their new Innovation Acceleration Strategy (IAS) program. IAS is a year-long, community-based economic diversification planning process.
The West Virginia Community Development Hub will be working with five IAS communities in southern West Virginia who are ready, willing and able to start identifying what they want to see in their community, and planning on how to grow and build these sectors.
The kick-off community meeting for IAS in Alderson will be at 6:30 p.m., Monday, Sept. 12, at the Alderson Community Center, 400 Virginia Street. All citizens are encouraged to attend.
IAS involves supporting local ideas for creating new economic opportunities, and helping the community get those ideas off the ground. The other IAS communities are Madison, and Lincoln Wyoming and McDowell counties.
Alderson Moving Forward participants have created working groups to explore specific opportunities in the areas of recreation, small business development, arts and culture, and community beautification. According to Dan Taylor, The Hub’s IAS coordinator, each of the working groups is eager to attract input and energy from any interested people around the county.
“Alderson, your community, needs you. This is not the time to be quiet, and keep good ideas to yourself,”
Taylor says. “Everyone, from teachers, business owners, elected officials, young people and students, elders, parents, faith leaders, anyone, are welcome and encouraged to attend.”
To get involved, just show up at the meeting on Sept. 12 and join the working group that most interests you. For more information, contact Dan Taylor at d.taylor@wvhub.org., or call 681-404-6053.
The West Virginia Community Development Hub is a nonprofit community development organization based in Fairmont. Learn more about the The Hub at wvhub.org.