According to W. Virginia Office of Tourism data from 2019: The number one activity of special interest to travelers is visiting historic places, fol- lowed by attending cultural activities and attractions.
What makes this project unique among community development initiatives? It’s not a rigid, outside-in program. We know that people who live in and lead these communities are in the best position to determine their own needs and their capacity for implementing a particular community and economic growth strategy. What works in one town may not work in another, so “Coalfield Communities” is inspired by collective impact, systems change, and lean experimentation concepts that allow for community led development and flexibility in approach. WVSUE, NCHA, and Hatfield McCoy Trails have collaborated with these communities for close to a decade ➤
Southern West Virginia has seen an influx in out-of-state tourists since the designation of New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, the nation’s newest national park, only 77 miles away from Kimball. West Virginia has seen success from an investment in tour- ism, with an emphasis on recreational tourism throughout the state seeing im- pressive growth. The state’s efforts and investment in new industry to recover from the impact of coal decline has inspired residents who’ve been ready for innovation and diversification in their local economy. Why did you choose to start with Kimball? We chose Kimball as our pilot commu- nity, partly because of the challenges they have endured economically, and yet have historically been ignored in terms of resources and development. With equity and inclusion as our central mission, we seek to encourage and em- power new leaders from marginalized groups through entrepreneurship, but most of all, by simply listening to their ideas and allowing them to be heard. The town also is part of the Nation- al Coal Heritage Area (NCHA), a designated National Scenic By-Way, and home of Elkhorn Creek (one of the best wild brown trout streams in West Virginia). It also connects to three of the most popular trails on the Hatfield McCoy Trail system. These are the kinds of assets that the Appalachian Regional Commission has determined are major visitor draws.
MINES OUT OF THE
Extension program to help shift southern West Virginia away from dependence on coal.
Kimball, West Virginia, may cover less than one square mile, but there’s plenty to do in that small space. You could visit the first war memorial in honor of the Black Americans who served in World War I. Hop on your Harley and join the “Head of the Dragon” motorcycle and sports car ride, which leaves from the Kimball Fall Festival in September. Or maybe you take a tour of Norwood Cemetery to see the gravestone of Dr. Roscoe Harrison, a prominent Black surgeon who established a hospital in Kimball in the early 1900s. These are the kinds of unique draws that can bring visitors to a town that could easily disappear in a blink during a road trip. It’s just a matter of identifying and promoting them effectively. That’s the goal of a new project from West Virginia State University Extension, called “Activating Assets in Coalfield Communities,” which WVSUE planned to pilot in Kimball in August 2023. “Coalfield Communities” program ensures sustainability through community well-being, inclusivity, equity, and quality of life at the core of its design. “Activating Assets” acknowl- edge that community values, culture, and historic significance already exist. This program invites community members, particularly those not typically included in planning or devel-
opment processes, to share their experiences, perspective, and opinions and express what they value in their commu- nity and how ultimately, individuals and the community as a whole can proper and grow.” The program was one of many selected for an Extension Foundation New Technolo- gies for Ag Extension grant in 2022-2023. In this Q&A, the Coalfield Communities program team talks about why this effort is critical for southern West Virginia and what it hopes to accomplish.
What’s the urgency driving “Coalfield Communities”?
Coal production in southern West Virginia has declined significantly in the last few decades, taking jobs and tax reve- nue with it. It’s imperative that the rural communities that have depended so heavily on the coal industry find new ways to sustain themselves and grow. This story isn’t new. Appalachian coalfield communities felt the impact of coal decline decades ago. And these all but abandoned towns are full of complexity, unique culture, strong people, and inspiring stories—bloody battles fought for social and environmental justice also are rooted here.
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EXTENSION FOUNDATION/NTAE | 2022-2023 YEARBOOK
2022-2023 YEARBOOK | EXTENSION FOUNDATION/NTAE
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