members from across the nation, NACDEP
is dedicated to improving the visibility,
coordination, professional status and re-
source base of community and econom-
ic development extension programs and
professionals.
“Any time a West Virginian can take a
national leadership role, it’s significant,
and I am proud to represent both my uni-
versity and the 1890 land grant system,”
says Hodges. “Representing West Virginia
at this level helps change the narrative
about who we are.”
Adam Hodges.
Commission,” says Craig Cornelius, CEO
of Clearway Energy Group, which is de-
veloping Black Rock. “Given the success
of Clearway’s existing Pinnacle Wind
Farm next door and the relationships
we’ve been able to build with surround-
ing communities, we’re excited to expand
our footprint and bring even more local
jobs and economic opportunity to the
Mountain State.”
Black Rock represents an important
private-sector investment of at least $150
million in Mineral and Grant counties
that will create new jobs and economic
opportunities. During the construction
phase, Black Rock is expected to create
290 jobs, representing approximately
$14 million in labor income payroll and
$44 million in regional economic output.
Additional local jobs will be created to
staff the plant, which will be supplement-
ed with contractor services provided by
area businesses.
During construction, the wind farm is
expected to generate at least $4.8 million
in state and local taxes, with a further $12
million over its first 25 years in operation.
Officials noted that Clearway already
has a proven track record in the region.
The company owns and operates the Look-
out and Forward wind farms in Somer-
set County, PA, and the Pinnacle Wind
Farm near Keyser, WV, where Clearway
is already among the largest taxpayers in
Mineral County. Pinnacle has established
a community benefit fund overseen by
residents that has contributed $191,000
to date toward brick-and-mortar projects
and nonprofit organizations since 2013.
Black Rock plans to create a similar fund
to benefit Mineral and Grant counties
once construction is complete.
Upon approval of its siting certificate,
Clearway expects to start construction on
Black Rock next year, with commercial
operations commencing in 2021.
Concord University Partners with
Raleigh General Hospital for Foster
and Adoptive Care Training
Concord University has partnered with
Raleigh General Hospital to provide foster
and adoptive care training. The hospital
is providing the training facilities for Con-
cord’s social work department to provide
pre-service training in the region.
“We are grateful that Raleigh General
Hospital shares a strong commitment
Hodges’ work has led to bolstered com-
munity and economic development initia-
tives throughout Fayette County, such as
improving the small business landscape,
developing multiple public art murals and
facilitating creation of the award-winning
“Destination: Beautification” publication,
a 90-page resource guide to community
beautification projects.
Justice Welcomes Proposal for Major
Investment in Electric Infrastructure CORPORATE GIFTS
Governor Jim Justice and local elected
officials recently welcomed plans for the
Black Rock Wind Farm, a proposed wind
energy power plant that will straddle the
Mineral and Grant county line. With a
generation capacity of up to 170 mega-
watts, the project expects to create hun-
dreds of jobs during construction, bolster
the region’s electricity infrastructure and
generate significant new tax revenues for
Mineral and Grant counties and the state
of West Virginia.
“We are grateful for the support of Gov-
ernor Justice and all of the local leaders
who recognize our recent submittal of
Black Rock’s siting certificate application
with the West Virginia Public Service Let us make your gift
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SUMMER 2019
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