Alliance for the Economic Development of Southern West Virginia
Hosts Small Communities, Big Solutions Conference
The Alliance for the Economic Development of Southern West Virginia is sponsoring a two-day conference, Oct. 22-23, to discuss Southern West Virginia successes, explore opportunities that exist in the region and develop new connections and partnerships.
The Small Communities, Big Solutions Conference will be held at the West Virginia Regional Technology Park in South Charleston and will feature a wide array of topics to be discussed by state, federal, community, educational and industry leaders.
West Virginia State University (WVSU) is a member of the Alliance for the Economic Development of Southern West Virginia and WVSU President Anthony L. Jenkins serves as co-chair of the organization.
Some discussion topics will include: Southern West Virginia’s successes and opportunities; workforce development; community revitalization; education; manufacturing; broadband; addiction and recovery; and, a 2019 public policy look ahead.
More than 125 people have registered for the sold-out Small Communities, Big Solutions conference.
Some of the speakers will include:
- U.S. Senator Joe Manchin;
- U.S. Senator Shelly Moore Capito;
- Ryan Palmer, Chief of the FCC’s Telecommunications Access Policy Division, Wireline Competition Bureau;
- U.S. Congressman Alex Mooney;
- West Virginia National Guard Adjutant General James Hoyer;
- U.S. Attorney Mike Stuart;
- Governor’s Chief of Staff Mike Hall;
- Speaker Roger Hanshaw;
- West Virginia Economic Development Office Executive Director Michael Graney;
- AEP Director of Economic Development John Smolak;
- President and Founder of Savage Grant Patrick Farrell; and
- Huntington Mayor Steve Williams.
In addition, six Power of Performance Awards will be presented to recognize individuals, organizations or employers who have put people to work, revitalized communities or changed lives through their projects or efforts. One award for Small Communities, BIG Solutions Advocate also will be presented.
Sponsors for the conference include AEP, AARP, Sodexo, Marshall Health, N3, West Virginia Executive Magazine, Savage Grant, United Bank and Marshall University Research Corporation. A complete agenda with additional details on our conference partners can be accessed here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/small-communities-big-solutions-conference-tickets-49349268992
The Alliance for the Economic Development of Southern West Virginia:
A joint venture among West Virginia’s 10 southern colleges and universities to better connect the
educational resources and workforce training offered in Southern West Virginia to promote the region, eliminate redundancies and share best practices, improve the quality of life for area residents, create jobs, keep West Virginia’s talent pool in the state and revitalize southern communities.
The Alliance partner institutions include: Bluefield State College, BridgeValley Community and Technical College, Concord University, Marshall University, Mountwest Community & Technical College, New River Community and Technical College, Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College, West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine, West Virginia State University and West Virginia University Institute of Technology. The Alliance is focused on a 21-county area, including Boone, Cabell, Clay, Fayette, Greenbrier, Kanawha, Lincoln, Logan, Mason, McDowell, Mercer, Mingo, Monroe, Nicholas, Pocahontas, Putnam, Raleigh, Summers, Wayne, Webster and Wyoming counties and represents more than 30,000 students.