Beckley, W.Va. (WVDN) – Jina Belcher, Executive Director of the New River Gorge Regional Development Authority (NRGRDA), is a featured speaker at the Beckley Raleigh County Chamber of Commerce 3rd annual Future Forward Business Summit on April 8 at the Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Center. Belcher’s address – “From Vision to Vitality: Advancing Regional Development.” is at 11 a.m. in Conference Rooms A and B, and is being sponsored by Paramount Development Corporation.
Coming off the successful opening of the Amazon facility in Beaver, Belcher will share her insights about the elements that allowed this major employer and economic development partner to locate in the region. Belcher’s remarks will highlight how strong regional partnerships, strategic planning, and community-driven investment are helping move Southern West Virginia from ideas to action. The presentation will focus on the importance of creating a shared vision for growth while advancing practical strategies that support business development, entrepreneurship, workforce opportunity, and long-term community vitality.
At 4:30 p.m. the same day, Josephine “Jozy” Moore, NRGRDA’s Legislative Policy and Government Outreach Coordinator, will offer highlights from the recent West Virginia Legislature’s 2026 session. Many of the legislative achievements dovetail with the content of Belcher’s address and offer additional context into the regional development authority’s efforts to enhance economic and community development.
Moore’s talk, titled “Policy in Progress: Navigating the 2026 Legislative Session”, will be in Conference Rooms A and B, and is sponsored by L.A. Gates and Company.
Future Forward is the Beckley-Raleigh County Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Business Summit, bringing together business leaders, elected officials, healthcare professionals, educators, and the public for one full day of forward-looking conversation. The goal is to create accessible, meaningful dialogue around the future of our region — business, workforce, healthcare, tourism, and quality of life.
More details about speakers and registration for Future Forward are at https://www.brccc.com/events/futureforward.
