The ACT Now Coalition
Southern West Virginia ’ s Economic Renewal
MEGAN BEVINS
Coal is no small asset in Southern West Virginia , as for decades the coal industry has run its economy . However , as times change and modern needs evolve , adaptation is essential . This is where the ACT Now coalition comes in , led by Coalfield Development , helping aid in the expansion of businesses and industries .
For ACT Now , Coalfield Development works with key partners such as Generation West Virginia ( GWV ), Marshall University , West Virginia University ( WVU ) and the West Virginia Community Development Hub ( WVCDH ).
Brandon Dennison , vice president for economic and workforce development at Marshall University , explains that ACT Now works through community engagement , industry collaborations , workforce development and revitalization projects .
“ ACT Now exists to help diversify the Southern West Virginia economy and create well-paying jobs through expansion of renewable energy industries , growth of technology businesses , transformation of former mine lands into new sustainable assets and redevelopment of industrial spaces and brownfields for 21st century advanced manufacturing ,” Dennison says .
The coalition currently runs eight different projects , four construction and four non-construction . Construction projects include the Black Diamond Warehouse , LIFT Center , H-BIZ and Just Transition center while non-construction projects include GROW Now Workforce , Community & Business Resilience and Repower Appalachia initiatives as well as the Sustainable Mine Lands project .
When ACT Now is shaping these projects , it utilizes the state ’ s important energy while valuing sustainability . The coalition hopes to help diversify the types of energy the state produces , keeping a low carbon footprint while ensuring West Virginia stays an energy state . These efforts help reduce environmental impact and promote economic growth in the process .
The Community & Business Resilience initiative , led by the WVCDH , works with small businesses to help them gain access to energy efficient markets . The coalition also partners with the Appalachian Solar Finance Fund to lower utility bills by educating businesses on new tax credits .
“ Our workforce project , led by Generation West Virginia , is preparing the workforce for these jobs of the future . And our mine land re-development project , led by WVU , is revitalizing former mine sites into solar sites and farmland ,” says Jacob Hannah , CEO of Coalfield Development .
The GROW Now initiative works with Coalfield Development , Highrocks , Marshall and WVU to provide quality training and new job creation for West Virginians . This training program covers software development , regenerative agriculture , construction , computer repair and remote work . It also offers coaching , mentorship services and employer relations training to promote job placement and retention .
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