Celebrating a fruitful February for the Wyoming County EDA

Love is in the air this February, and so is economic opportunity in Wyoming County! This month, we’re sharing the latest updates about the annual writing contest, workforce development collaborative chats, and what you can expect to see over the coming months. 

Writing Contest accepting submissions through May

Sharpen your pencils, folks! The Literature Fund’s annual Wyoming County Writing Contest is now accepting submissions from Wyoming County residents of all ages through May 1. 

Hosted by the Beckley Area Foundation and sponsored by Wyoming County native and esteemed poet Lonnie Bailey, the Writing Contest provides an opportunity for Wyoming County residents to submit written works themed around Wyoming County’s history and culture and compete for distinguished awards and cash prizes. 

Categories will be divided into elementary, middle, and high school students, and adults ages 18 and up. All Writing Contest submissions must be received by May 1, 2023. 

Click here to see contest entry rules, eligibility, and submission instructions.

Need some inspiration? Check out last year’s winning submissions! 

New projects could create workforce development opportunities

Over the next two years, our region will be welcoming two major business additions, OSRT and AmeriCarbon, which will diversify our economy and create dozens of job openings in our communities. Though the projects are currently in the early stages of development, our local institutions are thinking ahead to workforce development opportunities. 

Through collaboration with OSRT and AmeriCarbon, our local institutions are strategizing ways we can build a workforce development program tailored to OSRT and AmeriCarbon. By establishing a formal training program ahead of their grand openings, we can enable our local workforce to acquire specialized skills needed to work in these new industries, increase enrollment in the local educational institutions, and supply the businesses with some of the nation’s most skilled laborers. 

On the horizon:

2023 WCCF Scholarship program kicks off

The annual Wyoming County Community Fund scholarship is now accepting applications for this year’s contest! Applications will be accepted through April 14.

The scholarship is open to high school seniors and adults pursuing higher education, vocational studies, and certifications. Each year, one outstanding individual receives the Wyoming County Community Fund scholarship to help support their academic endeavors or career training in Wyoming County. 

Recipients receive $2,500 over two semesters to put toward course materials, textbooks, equipment, and tuition. Applicants must reside in Wyoming County to be considered eligible. 

View and download the application here.

Keep an eye on our website and Facebook page to see all scholarship-related updates. Know someone who qualifies? Be sure to spread the word! 

Wyoming County’s OSRT location to be announced soon 

OSRT (Omnis Sublimation Recovery Technologies) will soon announce the location of their future Wyoming County-based site. This significant addition will bring 100 new, well-paying jobs to Wyoming County, training employees to safely manage and operate OSRT technology. 

Using their innovative, zero-waste technology with no harmful emissions, OSRT will collect and repurpose metals found in the discarded refuse to produce smartphones, computers, and other electronics. In November 2022, Governor Jim Justice announced the company would be investing $60 million in the county to extract rare earth metals from coal waste impoundments. 

We are thrilled to see these developments and job opportunities take place in southern West Virginia and look forward to the continued growth ahead.