One of Refresh
Appalachia’s
seven farms.
Rediscover Appalachia’s
Saw’s Edge Wood Shop.
From
the
Ground
Up
KATLIN SWISHER
COALFIELD DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
76
WEST VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE
Brandon Dennison,
CEO of Coalfield
Development Corporation.
Revitalize Appalachia
crew members working
on construction projects.
According to Brandon Dennison, the
CEO of Coalfield Development Corpo-
ration, the number one problem West
Virginia employers report is finding skilled
workers to fill their open positions.
While there are more jobs available
than what is typically construed, West
Virginia simply does not have the quali-
fied workforce to fill those jobs.
Coalfield Development Corporation is
working to change that reality.
“This is a major inhibitor in any effort to
recruit new business to the state, but worse
than that, our workforce crisis makes it
tough for existing businesses to stay here,”
says Dennison. “Any serious economic
revitalization plan in this state needs to
make major, long-lasting investments of
money, time and energy into workforce
development and higher education, but
these investments can’t just be the same
old programs. While tax credits and job
training are important, the effort won’t
be complete until the human development
component is embraced and integrated.”