Grant Resource Centers Secures $ 51.5 Million in Funding
In December 2025, West Virginia Grant Resource Centers Co-Founders Sara Payne Scarbro and Dr. Liz Vitullo marked a historic milestone for the Grant Resource Centers, announcing more than $ 51.5 million in local, state, private and federal funding won through 124 awards across the state. These awards have directly created or sustained 270 jobs in West Virginia.
“ With the support of the Legislature and the Appalachian Regional Commission, we are successfully revitalizing communities, growing businesses and building much-needed skills,” Payne Scarbro says.
Since launching January 1, 2023, the Grant Resource Centers has assisted West Virginia communities, nonprofit organizations, small businesses and other eligible entities with securing $ 51,539,807.03 to support their economic, community, workforce and infrastructure development projects statewide.
“ I am so proud of the collective impact of West Virginia University( WVU) and Marshall University through the Grant Resource Centers,” Vitullo says.“ The team continues to advance economic innovation and support our communities in so many ways.”
Brad Smith, president of Marshall, says the university is proud to celebrate the Grant Resource Centers’ success and transformative impact.
“ This joint initiative exemplifies what is possible when institutions work together with a shared commitment to expanding opportunity and driving economic growth,” he says.
WVU President Michael Benson says this kind of community-level work is foundational to the land-grant mission of the university.
“ The milestone for the Grant Resource Centers partnership shows how cooperation and collaboration can benefit the entire Mountain State,” he says.
Krason Takes Expanded Leadership Role at Signal Hill Equity Partners
Signal Hill Equity Partners has announced the appointment of Adam Krason, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP,
ALEP, as president and managing partner of its architecture and engineering services platform. In this role, Krason will provide strategic leadership across Signal Hill’ s portfolio in the design and engineering sector while continuing to advance innovation and client service within the organization.
Under his guidance, ZMM Architects and Engineers has expanded its impact across educational, civic, military and commercial sectors, delivering projects that balance creativity, f unctionality and long-term sustainability. Krason’ s ability to foster collaboration, mentor teams, build brand recognition and equity and champion client-focused solutions uniquely positions him to steer the platform for continued growth.
Krason will remain in Charleston in this new role, and a portion of his responsibilities will still be assigned to ZMM operations. Principal David Ferguson, AIA, REFP, has been named ZMM’ s new CEO. He previously served as ZMM’ s COO.
WVFF Announces Awardees of Momentum Initiative Grant
The West Virginia First Foundation( WVFF) announced the recipients of the Momentum Initiative Grant( MIG), nearly $ 18 million to support highimpact initiatives addressing substance use disorder, prevention, recovery and workforce and system capacity across West Virginia.
WVFF Q4 annual board meeting.
Approved by the WVFF Board of Directors, MIG represents a landmark opioid abatement investment and reflects a revolutionary, nationally distinctive model for stewarding settlement dollars, one that combines objective evaluation and local expertise.
MIG investments will support a broad range of efforts, including foster care and non-parental caregiver initiatives, youth prevention, recovery housing, behavioral health and workforce development and reentry and diversion programs.
“ MIG reflects a new way of responding to the substance use crisis – one grounded in evidence, shaped by local expertise and guided by accountability,” says Jonathan Board, WVFF executive director.“ We traveled the state, listened to those holding the line in their communities and answered the call to honor the lives lost by putting these resources into the hands of those ready to create real, lasting impact for West Virginia.”
BTA Marks 40 Years in Business
BlaineTurner Advertising( BTA) is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2026, marking four decades as a full-service marketing and advertising agency serving health care, tourism and manufacturing organizations throughout West Virginia and the greater Mid-Atlantic region. BTA was founded in 1986 by Ginna Royce.
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