The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Local News

July 30, 2008

Create W.Va. Conference set for October

Fred Pace

As the creative sector develops, so do communities. That’s according to Create W.Va., a program of A Vision Shared.

The focus of the upcoming Create W.Va. Conference is aimed at helping communities expand and improve their economies through cultivation of the creative and high-tech industry sectors, conference officials said.

This year’s conference is set for Oct. 20-22 and will take place at Snowshoe Mountain Resort.

“Utilizing the tools and education we received at last year’s conference, our committee’s community design assistance program now includes ideas and resources to develop the creative economy within the communities that we study,” said Huntington resident Phoebe Patton Randolph, an architect and chair of the West Virginia AIA Livable Communities Committee. “This ultimately links the concepts of economic sustainability and quality of place to build stronger communities throughout the state.”

Glenville was the first community in West Virginia to install wide-area broadband wireless Internet service. After last year’s Create W.Va. Conference, it was further inspired to begin a downtown revitalization program.

“When you provide a creative outlet, you help turn a community’s dreams into reality,” said Donna Waddell, executive director of the Gilmer County Family Resource Network. “Plans are under way for downtown improvements, and our farmers market kicks off this weekend.

The support we’ve received from Create W.Va. has really strengthened our efforts and energized our community.”

— Fred Pace

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