PATTERN represents a collaborative, regional approach to accelerating the outdoor and manufacturing industry within the New River Gorge. The project will leverage the assets within the region’s rural and coal-impacted communities including WVU Tech students, skilled workforce, industry heritage, natural and cultural resources, and more, to advance the textile manufacturing sector. Working in tandem with established and successful organizations in West Virginia and North Carolina, the project will result in development of a ready workforce, investment into manufacturing and artisan resources, leveraging of culturally relevant skills, and an increase in capacity of the region. The success of this project will be measured by quantifying new job creation, new capital investment, new business created, technical assistance deployed, and an increase in locally made products. Most notably, the project will also leverage the recent redesignation of the New River Gorge National River to a National Park and Preserve.

PATTERN will accelerate the textile industry through the following primary strategic objectives: