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Small Communities Big Solutions
Conference

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.

Hosts

2022 Speakers

Alecia N. Allen, MA LPC

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS COORDINATOR,
WV COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT HUB

Taylor Bennett

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR,
WV LAND STEWARDSHIP CORP

Melinda Price

PEER RECOVERY SUPPORT SPECIALIST, NEW RIVER COMMUNITY & TECHNICAL COLLEGE

Brandon Proudfoot

PEER RECOVERY SUPPORT SPECIALIST, WEST VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY

Brandon Whitehouse

PEER RECOVERY SUPPORT SPECIALIST, CONCORD UNIVERSITY

Eric Jackson

VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF OF STAFF WEST VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY

2022 Conference Planning Committee

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

Developing Your Budget and Budget Narrative

Aug 03, 2023 (12:00 PM) - Aug 03, 2023 (1:00 PM)

Developing Your Budget and Budget Narrative

Aug 03, 2023 (12:00 PM) - Aug 03, 2023 (1:00 PM)

Developing Your Budget and Budget Narrative

Aug 03, 2023 (12:00 PM) - Aug 03, 2023 (1:00 PM)

Maximizing Sustainability

Aug 22, 2023 (7:00 PM) - Aug 22, 2023 (8:00 PM)

Maximizing Sustainability

Aug 22, 2023 (7:00 PM) - Aug 22, 2023 (8:00 PM)

Maximizing Sustainability

Aug 22, 2023 (7:00 PM) - Aug 22, 2023 (8:00 PM)

Event Schedule

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

  • Stephanie Tyree
  • Coalfield Representative
  • Brandon Dennison


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

Ticket Pricing

President
Panel
Dinner

  • Nov. 8
$25

EVENT
Day
Pass

  • Nov. 9
$40

event
Evening
Pass

  • Nov. 9
    (only for
    ACT Now members)
$20

Past Sponsors

A special thanks to our past sponsors for helping us shine a spotlight on our West Virginia communities.