Part of what makes the Partnership unique is the inclusion of the CNRC , or Sunnyside Up , a 501 ( c )( 3 ) nonprofit that was created in 2002 as a collaboration between the City of Morgan town and WVU . Its purpose is to engage in developing , financing and implementing plans to eliminate blight , improve conditions and prevent the deterioration of neighborhoods . The CNRC has had great success in the Sunnyside area and continues to develop plans to upgrade , replace and build new infrastructure to meet the demands of Morgantown ’ s growth .
Visit Mountaineer Country Convention & Visitors Bureau
Part of that growth is due to the work of the Visit Mountaineer Country CVB . With its recent rebranding , it has been able to better accommodate its role as a destination marketing organization servicing Monongalia , Preston and Taylor counties .
The CVB supports all its partners in different ways , including the Morgantown Area Partnership .
“ The CVB has worked closely with the Morgantown Area Partnership since its inception ,” says CVB President and CEO Susan Riddle . “ We are one of the founding investing partners , and we work with the Partnership to help attract and sell our destination to businesses , recruits and prospects as we are able .”
One of Morgantown ’ s best assets is its strong brand recognition , which easily lends itself to marketing the area .
“ We all recognize and utilize that to the best of our abilities ,” she says . “ At the end of the day , Mountaineer Country is not just a great place to eat , shop , stay and play . It is a great place to live and raise a family . I couldn ’ t be happier to call Mountaineer Country my home .”
West Virginia University
According to Riddle , WVU is the engine that makes many of the wheels turn in Morgantown .
“ In tourism , the most common question asked is what makes a destination unique ,” she says . “ That is easy for us to answer — we are the home of the WVU Mountaineers . The CVB is always seeking opportunities to strengthen our relationships within the WVU community . It is a destination unto itself .”
WVU is indelibly embedded into the economic , social and physical fabric of Morgantown , and as the university grows — whether in size , status or influence — so does its relationship with the city itself .
“ We can ’ t be a strong university unless we take steps to make sure we are good partners ,” says Rob Alsop , vice president
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