Engaging West Virginia ’ s Workforce
The entire nation is struggling with labor shortages . Not only are there not enough workers to fill the approximately 11 million job openings — according to the U . S . Department of Labor — but there is also a lack of qualified workers . While this issue is not new to West Virginia , it has been exacerbated by the pandemic , which , in turn , has left many industries in dire need .
Training opportunities and job retention have never been more important , and in true West Virginia spirit , many organizations have dedicated their time and resources to growing the workforce in the Mountain State for the better - ment of the area and its people .
Photo by Tiffany and Jamie Summerlin .
Advantage Valley
By Marjorie Cooke
As an economic development organization , Advantage Valley is committed to growing West Virginia ’ s workforce in the nine counties it serves . The nonprofit works with state and local governments , economic development authorities , business leaders , chambers of commerce and academic institutions to showcase the strengths of its resource-rich region while capitalizing on new opportunities .
With a focus on business retention , Advantage Valley and its partners have launched a program called Economic Gardening , designed to provide technical assistance to help grow regional companies .
“ Advantage Valley ’ s existing businesses are the region ’ s most important economic asset , and that is why our team is here to support their growth and expansion . Nurturing locally owned businesses that employ local workers with
Photo by John Sibold .
living wages is essential to creating a sustainable economy ,” says Terrell Ellis , executive director of Advantage Valley .
Advantage Valley will offer Economic Gardening for free to 45 select companies in its nine-county footprint through a partnership with the National Center for Economic Gardening ( NCEG ). Companies must sell to markets outside the region , have between six and 100 employees and have experienced growth in two out of the past five years . Local businesses are identified and offered a deliberative , research-based exercise proven to help them expand their market share , grow their business and hire new employees .
Companies receive 36 hours of services from the NCEG ’ s team of specialists . Following this research , companies will receive up to $ 5,000 in technical assistance to implement the recommendations received from the NCEG team .
So far , 12 Advantage Valley companies have participated in this program .
The Economic Gardening program is part of Advantage Valley ’ s Expanding Markets Initiative , which was funded by the U . S . Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration . As part of a $ 1.3 million grant , funds will facilitate the creation of 140 jobs and retention of 180 jobs , as well as an estimated $ 11 million in new private investment . Through this program , 225 companies will receive technical services to expand access to new markets . Services will be delivered through a partnership between Advantage Valley Inc ., seven local economic development organizations and the Robert C . Byrd Institute .
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