MEGAN BEVINS USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT WEST VIRGINIA
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Positive Change in the Heart of West Virginia
Much of West Virginia ’ s charm lies in its rural communities , where thousands of hardworking and dedicated citizens reside . Despite this , many of those areas are struggling with economic hardships and limited access to essential resources .
Glenville State University ( GSU ), the West Virginia Community Development Hub ( WVCDH ) and the U . S . Department of Agriculture ( USDA ) Rural Development have all joined together to support these communities and foster growth through the Rural Partners Network ( RPN ).
The RPN was launched by the USDA in 2022 and consists of two community networks within West Virginia : Southern West Virginia Community Network , hosted by the WVCDH , and the West Virginia Pioneer Community Network , hosted by GSU . These networks are supported by USDA Rural Development local staff .
Southern West Virginia currently serves 12 counties , while the Pioneer Network serves eight .
Kayleigh Kye , the RPN supervisory community liaison for USDA Rural Development , says the process of identifying those counties included compiling a list of potential participants from areas designated as socially vulnerable and distressed . The USDA then analyzed each county using data reflecting its unique challenges and solicited feedback from stakeholders familiar with each of those counties .
“ This step was intended to provide Rural Development with on-the-ground insights pertaining to each prospective community ’ s institutional and organizational capacity and overall commitment to community economic development ,” Kye says .
Since the RPN began operating , rural communities have been uplifted , and many have overcome persistent challenges . For example , Kye says some municipalities have been able to complete
Kayleigh Kyle .
audits that were 12 years overdue in just 12 months .
“ The benefits of being part of a rural partners network for 20 small , economically disadvantaged counties in West Virginia are manifold , especially in areas where resources are often scarce and
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