Photo by Stand Together .
Revitalize Appalachia
Revitalize Appalachia , Coalfield Development ’ s social enterprise dedicated to retraining and professional development in green construction , jumpstarts community redesign . Revitalize operates in Cabell , Wayne , Lincoln and Mingo counties with three main programs : real estate development , construction and property management .
“ We collaborate with residents , local leaders and partner organizations to prioritize projects that are catalysts for local transformation ,” says Nick Guertin , interim director for Revitalize Appalachia and an Enterprise Rose Fellow . “ We take properties that are often vacant , polluted or in need of major repair and transform them into assets .”
Revitalize staffs its crews with recruits from local project areas so they become invested in their community ’ s transformation . No matter what their skill level , recruits broaden their horizons .
“ Many crew members have a basic familiarity with the work before joining our team but in the process learn a whole new range of skills ,” says Guertin . “ Construction is work that requires precision , determination and a problem-solving mindset . I think plenty of employers , whether in the construction field or outside it , would tell you that those are invaluable qualities in any person .”
Crew members can obtain professional safety certifications such as OSHA 10 Construction or more specialized certifications such as lead and asbestos abatement or blueprint reading . The sustainable construction practices also broaden workers ’ skillsets .
“ Every time we give an existing building new life , we divert the materials of a demolished building from the landfill ,” says Guertin . “ Our crew members also help install energy and water conserving fixtures and ensure all projects are well insulated .”
Revitalize ’ s green construction projects include an eight-unit , multi-family project with affordable apartments for seniors or individuals with disabilities and the restoration of the West Edge building , a former textiles factory in Huntington , that includes commercial , community and production spaces . The team is also working on a major rehabilitation of 24 units of affordable housing at a Coalfield owned property in Lincoln County .
“ Our projects have a whole set of associated primary and spin off effects ,” says Guertin , who has been with Revitalize since October 2019 . “ On the construction side , in addition to employing local residents , we also pay for services from specialized subcontractors and order building materials locally . On the real estate side , we are creating new spaces for entrepreneurs and other community initiatives .”
Saw ’ s Edge Woodshop
For Saw ’ s Edge Woodshop , a Coalfield Development enterprise in Huntington ’ s West Edge building , the triple bottom line translates to handmade woodworking projects that give both people and materials a second chance . The 33-6-3 model is one ingredient in the mix of betterment for the state and its people .
“ We want to empower Appalachian people to make profits , while also protecting and bettering our planet ,” says Director Eddie Austin . “ We are specifically focused on using reclaimed materials in our handmade items to keep as much waste as possible out of the landfills . We are creating new lives for our trainees and the building materials we use .”
Austin was hired to jumpstart the program in 2016 . At that time , Saw ’ s Edge was not much more than a plan .
“ The first time I walked into Saw ’ s Edge , the shop was raw and gritty with few working machines and tools ,” says Austin . “ The facility has come full circle since then , becoming one of the industry ’ s leading training grounds for fine woodworking . Today , we are equipped with the finest tools and new heating and even cooling , which is a rarity in a woodshop .”
Saw ’ s Edge is billed as a place where grit meets creativity . The shop produces home decor items , furniture and custom cabinetry . In fact , the shop has had more than $ 200,000 in custom furniture and cabinet sales in the past few years . Trainees have also delivered more than 100 custom builds , according to Austin . The enterprise offers both retail and wholesale transactions .
“ We are using this early success as a building block to launch a brand new home / office product lineup that features many handmade items in stock and ready to ship ,” says Austin . “ Our work is impacting the state economy in many ways . Perhaps most importantly , it ’ s investing in the hands and minds of our young men and women while producing income for their families . We are committed to increasing jobs and paying fair wages . We hope that sentiment will spread to other businesses and inspire them to pay fair wages as well .”
Saw ’ s Edge clients include the Children ’ s Museum of Pittsburgh , where , over the course of three years , these West Virginia woodworkers fully refinished the gift shop with completely reclaimed display tables and a custom cash wrap counter . Inside state boundaries , the Huntington Museum of Art commissioned a curved receptionist desk , a piece that took weeks to template .
“ The biggest win at Saw ’ s Edge is watching our employees learn , grow and better themselves ,” says Austin . “ With hard work , we ’ ve rescued dilapidated buildings , given a new life to Appalachian people who desperately wanted to work but didn ’ t have the right opportunity and earned respect for our program worldwide .”
Photo by Amy Miller / White Heart Photography .
WWW . WVEXECUTIVE . COM SPRING 2021 39