CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The WV Community Development Hub celebrated the launch of the Communities of Achievement Program (HubCAP) with participating residents, organization and agency partners, and supporters at a virtual event on Thursday, Nov. 19, 2020.
Attendees participated in a discussion to kick off the two-year community and economic development program and share encouragement for the residents in the six Mon Forest Towns that are taking part: Cowen, Elkins, Franklin, Marlinton, Petersburg and White Sulphur Springs.
The HubCAP program offers participating towns a time-tested curriculum to accelerate community-led economic development. Twenty-one West Virginia communities have been graduated from the program to date.
WV Community Development Hub Director of Community Engagement Amanda Workman-Scott said, “With this new round of HubCAP and the six participating communities, the Hub team is combining our efforts with the momentum for building recreational tourism economies happening as a result of the Mon Forest Towns Partnership. We are excited to work alongside the West Virginians who are taking part in this program.”
During the event, participants had the opportunity to hear from members from the participating HubCAP community teams; learn about the recreational economy initiatives happening today in these communities; and hear from special guests. Featured speakers included local leaders from participating communities, regional and national funders, community and economic development leaders, and others.
Senator Shelley Moore Capito offered encouragement for the participating West Virginians. Representatives from the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, Mon Forest Towns Partnership, One Foundation, US Forest Service, US Department of Agriculture, West Virginia Development Office, West Virginia Secretary of State Mac Warner’s office, West Virginia University and others participated in the event.
To be a part of HubCAP Mon Forest Towns, please contact the WV Community Development Hub’s Director of Community Engagement Amanda Workman-Scott at a.workman@wvhub.org.
The West Virginia Community Development Hub mobilizes residents from all over the state to spark transformational change and progress in their communities. Hallmarks of the organization’s work are to spur on fresh momentum where little exists; to unite the forces of groups that have not considered — or even resisted — collaboration in the past; and to champion new, and sometimes unexpected, leaders. Over the past year, The Hub has worked directly with 21 communities across the state and 40% of West Virginians were positively impacted by Hub- related projects. More information about The Hub’s work and impacts over the past year is available at wvhub.org.
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