Robert Hinton is the Executive Director of the Upshur County Development Authority in Buckhannon, West Virginia, where he spearheads efforts in promoting rural economic development, entrepreneurial development programs, and securing funds for broadband expansion projects statewide.
Robert’s background as a small business owner and entrepreneur led him to develop an Entrepreneurial Program at West Virginia Wesleyan College. Robert was successful with securing a multi-million dollar USEDA POWER Grant as well as accessing New Market Tax Credit Funding to construct the Upshur Innovation Center in downtown Buckhannon, WV. Located within a designated Opportunity Zone, the 25,000 square foot professional space will provide critical resources for entrepreneurs, business development and knowledgebase business expansion.
Robert recently served a four-year term as the Chairman of the West Virginia Broadband Enhancement Council (WVBEC). He has been successful in securing several broadband infrastructure grants from various federal and state agencies. With that knowledge in hand as Chairman of the WVBEC developed a program for educating communities in the process to access infrastructure funding. West Virginia has seen a consistently significant annual increase in federal broadband infrastructure funds accessed as a result of the program. As Chairman, Robert recruited major fiber projects to the mountain state and closed deals with Facebook Fiber and Zayo Fiber to construct critical Tier I long haul fiber routes through West Virginia.
Robert contributes to the economic growth and development of West Virginia by serving on many boards and councils. Robert earned his Bachelor Degree from Glenville State College, Master of Science from Cal U of Pennsylvania and a Master of Business Administration from West Virginia Wesleyan College. Robert resides in Buckhannon with his wife Jackie and their four children Reagan, Kennedy, Madison and Robert V.