Moving WV Forward: Theme at Small Communities, Big Solutions Conference
| More than 125 leaders from across West Virginia spoke about the importance of collaboration and work related to WV Forward initiatives at the Small Communities, Big Solutions conference last week. Throughout the two-day event, speakers highlighted the importance of following WV Forward's blueprint as a shared vision, emphasizing the value of aligning efforts and moving in the same direction to strengthen and advance our state into greater prosperity. Sponsored by the Alliance for the Economic Development for Southern West Virginia, the West Virginia Community Development Hub and Coalfield Development Corp, issues discussed at length included job creation and workforce advancement, human capital and substance abuse issues, educational needs and community development opportunities. Speakers included U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va.; U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va.; Ryan Palmer, chief of the FCC's Telecommunications Access Policy Division, Wireline Competition Bureau; U.S. Congressman Alex Mooney, R-W.Va.; West Virginia National Guard Adjutant General James Hoyer; U.S. Attorney Mike Stuart; Governor's Chief of Staff Mike Hall; Speaker Roger Hanshaw; West Virginia Economic Development Office's Executive Director Michael Graney; AEP's Director of Economic Development John Smolak; President and Founder of Savage Grant Patrick Farrell; and Huntington Mayor Steve Williams. |