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Each year, the Alliance for Economic Development of Southern West Virginia, the West Virginia Community Development Hub and Coalfield Development team up to shine a spotlight on West Virginia, by hosting the Small Communities, BIG Solutions Conference. This event showcases all the successes and highlights what is working across the state. Each year a mix of community leaders, educators, businesses and public officials come together to network, share ideas and learn what is working well in our state. With a sold-out crowd each year and overwhelmingly positive feedback from our attendees, we are excited to celebrate the fifth-year anniversary of the Small Communities, BIG Solutions Conference back in-person! Learn more about SCBS here.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS COORDINATOR,
WV COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT HUB
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR,
WV LAND STEWARDSHIP CORP
PEER RECOVERY SUPPORT SPECIALIST, NEW RIVER COMMUNITY & TECHNICAL COLLEGE
PEER RECOVERY SUPPORT SPECIALIST, WEST VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY
PEER RECOVERY SUPPORT SPECIALIST, CONCORD UNIVERSITY
VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF OF STAFF WEST VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY
| Name | Occupation |
|---|---|
| Sara Payne Scarbro | AVP for External Engagement, MURC & Operations Council Chair, The Alliance for the Economic Development of Southern WV |
| Brittany Bruce | Projects Coordinator, MURC & Logistics Coordinator, The Alliance for the Economic Development of Southern WV |
| Brandon Dennison | Founder & CEO, Coalfield Development |
| Stephanie Tyree | Executive Director, West Virginia Community Development HUB |
| Gail Carter | Vice President of University Development, University of Charleston |
| Carol Howerton | Senior Strategic Advisor for Workforce Development, RCBI |
| Dr. Michelle Taylor | Associate Professor, Bluefield State College |
| Dr. Drema Hill | V.P. for Community Engagement and Development, West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine |
| Terri Baker | Grants Project Manager, Center for Rural and Community Health, West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine |
| Dr. Kelli Johnson | Associate Dean, University Libraries, Marshall University |
| Susie Mullens | Coordinator, West Virginia Collegiate Recovery Network |
| Tiffany Ellis-Williams | Director of Workforce & Economic Development, WV Council for Community & Technical College Education |
| Brian Sampson | Director of Facilities and Campus Safety, New River Community and Technical College |
Aug 03, 2023 (12:00 PM) - Aug 03, 2023 (1:00 PM)
Aug 03, 2023 (12:00 PM) - Aug 03, 2023 (1:00 PM)
Aug 03, 2023 (12:00 PM) - Aug 03, 2023 (1:00 PM)
Aug 22, 2023 (7:00 PM) - Aug 22, 2023 (8:00 PM)
Aug 22, 2023 (7:00 PM) - Aug 22, 2023 (8:00 PM)
Aug 22, 2023 (7:00 PM) - Aug 22, 2023 (8:00 PM)
12:00 to 3:00 p.m. Registration
12:30 – 4:30 p.m. Grant Writing Training Session
(Fill in agenda of grant writing session here)
5:00 – 6:30 p.m. Dinner Buffet
5:15 p.m. Welcome Remarks/ Update on Rural Partners Network (RPN)
Ryan Thorn, USDA
5:30 p.m. Aligning Higher Education for the Workforce of Tomorrow: Strategies and Partnerships for Economic Growth
Moderator: Bill Bissett, State Director, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito’s Office
6:30 p.m. Depart
8:00 to 3:00 p.m. Registration
8:00 a.m. Breakfast and Networking
9:00 a.m. Welcome/The Day Ahead
Remarks: Dr. James Nemitz, President, West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine
State Workforce Update
9:20 a.m. Scott Adkins, Workforce WV Commissioner Congressional Update
9:30 a.m.
U.S. Senator Joe Manchin
U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito
Congressional Representatives
10:15 a.m. Legislative Lookahead: Anticipating Policy Priorities
Richie Heath, Bowles Rice LLP
Speaker Roger Hanshaw, WV House of Delegates
Minority Leader Doug Skaff, WV House of Delegates
11:00 a.m. Breakout Sessions
Breakout Session 1: Addiction, Recovery and Reentry
Moderator: Susan Mullens
Panelists:
Breakout Session 2: Health Sector Workforce
Moderator:
Panelists:
Breakout Session 3: Lifelong Learning and Continuous Development –
Generations and Demographics
Moderator: Michelle Taylor
Panelists: Alex Weld, Julia Spears
Breakout Session 4: Grant Writing Workshop
12:30 – 2:00 p.m. Lunch
1:15 p.m. Premier Sponsor: Andrew Dawson, Market President, United Bank
1:30 p.m. West Virginia’s Trailblazers: Celebrating Success Stories and Visionary Leaders
Power of Performance Awards
Small Communities, BIG Solutions Advocate 2023
Presented by:
2:00 p.m. Breakout Sessions
Breakout Session 5: Benefits Cliff
Moderator: Marilyn Wrenn
Panelists: Josiah Hannah
Breakout Session 6: Apprenticeships
Moderator: Dave Lavender
Panelists:
Breakout Session 7: Career Education
Breakout Session 8: Grant Implementation Workshop
3:30 p.m. Closing Remarks
3:45 p.m. ACT Now Meeting
A special thanks to our past sponsors for helping us shine a spotlight on our West Virginia communities.
