Economic growth: charting our course after legislative workshop

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On August 24, the New River Gorge Regional Development Authority (NRGRDA) hosted West Virginia State Senator Glen Jeffries, Chair of the Senate Economic Development Committee, for a regional roundtable focused on advancing economic development in Southern WV. Regional stakeholders joined in on the discussion, also attended by Sen. Rollan Roberts, Sen. Jack David Woodrum and Sen. Vince Deeds, for a collaborative and in-depth discussion that focused on small business and sustainable economic development, catalyzing community economic development, and supporting the larger outdoor industry. Our legislative members heard from NRGRDA, the WV Community Development Hub, and the WVU Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative about critical issues facing our region and the barriers we face when accessing state allocated funding and navigating unclear policy.

Key insights and takeaways

Incentivizing small business and sustainable economic development – As an organization, we believe that collective small wins are just as impactful as one big win – this is why we launched our WV Hive entrepreneurship support program in 2016. The workshop underscored the importance of creating a supportive environment for small businesses through streamlined regulations, business expansion incentives, and improved access to capital for businesses and programs alike. Additionally, it highlighted sustainability as a powerful driver of economic growth, emphasizing the need for investments in green infrastructure, local collaboration, workforce development and a long-term commitment to sustainable practices. These takeaways provide a foundation for future policy and action to promote small business growth and sustainable economic development.

Catalyzing community economic development – Led by the WV Community Development Hub, the working session emphasized that access to child care is not only a family concern but a key factor in economic development. It also highlighted the economic impact of blighted properties and the need for regulatory measures and incentives to address them. Main street revitalization, with a focus on historic preservation, mixed-use development, small businesses, arts and culture, and infrastructure improvements, was seen as a strategy to rejuvenate communities and drive economic growth. These takeaways provide a foundation for future actions to catalyze community economic development in these key areas.

Supporting the larger outdoor industry – The workshop highlighted the symbiotic relationship between the outdoor industry and tourism. Legislative measures were explored to boost outdoor infrastructure development and ongoing maintenance, foster local business collaborations that support larger outdoor manufacturing efforts, and acknowledge that the outdoor industry serves as the convergence of community and economic development by ensuring retention of people through quality of place efforts.

The road ahead

This workshop served as an initial launchpad for future, tangible change. Insights and connections formed are building blocks for legislative transformation. Our path forward includes:

• Turning insights into policy: We will collaboratively craft actionable policies addressing the discussed issues. Transforming ideas into concrete legislative measures is essential to creating a real impact in our communities.
• Sustaining collaboration: Our workshop’s success was rooted in cross-legislative collaboration. We must nurture this momentum, fostering a culture of information sharing and unified action that bridges constituency divides.
• Engaging the public and ensuring accountability: Public support is vital as we advocate for new policies. Transparent communication and accountability are key to garnering trust and ensuring our proposed policies align with our communities’ needs.
• Tackling barriers to investment: Bureaucratic hurdles often delay critical investments. Reforms were discussed to maintain efficiency while enhancing transparency and accountability. Transparent and strategic allocation of funds can maximize the impact of state and federal investments in our communities.

In conclusion, our legislative workshop was transformative. It moved us beyond words to actionable solutions for our region’s challenges. As we embark on this journey toward prosperity, we invite our constituents to join us. The path ahead requires determination, but with the collaborative spirit ignited by this workshop, we are confident in our ability to unlock the doors to economic growth and a brighter future for all.

I would also like to thank the state legislators who joined us at the workshop and contributed their viewpoints. We need more opportunities to provide meaningful, collaborative input to those on the front lines of creating, enacting and offering oversight of public programs and funds.

Jina Belcher is executive director of NRGRDA. She is a West Virginia native, Concord University graduate and resident of Beckley.