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It’s the start of a new year, and we all know what that means: time to set new goals. In 2021, the Wyoming County Economic Development Authority had an exceptionally productive year, during which we reached several milestones that were years — some decades — in the making. We also brought on a new full-time staffer: Brenda Reed, the EDA’s administrative assistant for accounting and finance!
If you haven’t already, you can read our full 2021 recap here!
As we enter 2022, we’re setting our sights and goals even higher. For our lending program, we aim to pass the $11.5 million mark. Though several major projects in Wyoming County are still under wraps (for now), we can let you in on some plans we have prepared for this new chapter.
This year, the EDA will be overseeing multiple efforts to improve our communities, including a re-roofing project at the Industrial Park — a project that will greatly benefit the park’s tenants and employees!
With so much positive news, we know it can be difficult to keep track of things, especially dates and deadlines. Below, we’ve rounded up a list of everything you need to know for the next quarter.
Don’t miss your chance to participate in this year’s writing contest! This winter, we’re asking writers who are planning to partake in this year’s Wyoming County Writing Contest to submit their works before the March 31, 2022 deadline!
As a reminder: Applicants must be Wyoming County residents and be in grades 1-12 or 18+ years of age to qualify, and each submitted work must be centered around Wyoming County’s history and culture. Prizes will be distributed to winners of each category. This contest is sponsored by award-winning poet and Wyoming County resident, Lonnie Bailey, who created Wyoming County’s Literature Fund at the Beckley Area Foundation.
Attention Wyoming County high school seniors: It’s almost time to apply for the Wyoming County Community Foundation scholarship! For over a decade, the annual WCCF scholarship has provided funds to students as they pursue their technical and university/college studies after graduation.
Funds from the scholarship are designed to assist students in paying for various college or technical career expenses, such as tuition, laptop, course equipment, textbooks, and more.
All submissions must be received by April 1, 2022. Mark your calendars!
For the second year, we look forward to partnering with Advantage Valley for its FASTER WV program (Fostering Advantages Start Ups and Entrepreneurial Resurgence in West Virginia). Through this project, we will lend our skills and resources to encourage entrepreneurial efforts across West Virginia, especially in the southern portion of our state.
FASTER WV provides opportunities for businesses and entrepreneurs to work under the mentorship of a partnering business coach, participate in a training course, and learn about the various types of loan funding their business is eligible for.
The Wyoming County EDA is also excited to announce that we plan to submit an application to once again be a partner in the West Virginia Capital Access Program, an initiative of the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI).
We still have a limited amount of COVID-19 Emergency Relief Loans available to West Virginia businesses affected by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. With these funds, we hope to continue supporting West Virginia businesses as they navigate the business world in trying circumstances.
To check your business’ eligibility for this loan, please fill out the following form.
This year, the Wyoming County EDA will focus its efforts on further diversifying our economy and improving existing resources, which, as a result, will attract and sustain new business development in our region.
In an effort to support these developments, we will prioritize securing funding for critical infrastructure updates at the Barkers Creek Industrial Park. Necessary updates include construction of a new bridge leading into the park. A new bridge will make the industrial park more accessible and draw more tenants to the convenient space.
We hope to receive support for this project from the FY 2022 Interior, Environment, and Related Agency Appropriations, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Economic Development, or other similar sources.
We’re certain that this year will be one for the books — and we’re just getting started. Follow us on social media to stay in the know about our projects, partnerships, and available resources and loan programs.
