2004 Annual Report Executive Summary
Upper Kanawha Valley Enterprise Community
The UKVEC has recently completed its fifth year of operation and its third year occupancy in the UKVEC Business Center in Chelyan, West Virginia. There are several projects to be completed to provide the basis for sustainable community and economic development.
The UKVEC Business Center has acquired a few more tenants in the center to spur economic development in the area. One of the occupants is the RESA office to provide no-cost GED/Literacy instruction during the day and computer classes in the evening. Also, the UKVEC has distributed 130 refurbished computers since our inception, but recently the UKVEC has assembled an application process to distribute refurbished computers to low-income students through local schools. To date, the “Technology Equality 4 All” program has distributed 12 computers to area students. This program was made possible through partnerships with the Kanawha County Commission, U.S. EPA, American Electric Power, National Cristina Foundation (Dell), and WV Investment Management Board.
Through grants from the West Virginia Legislative Budget Digest and the Governors Community Partnership program the UKVEC was instrumental in bringing over $140,000 dollars to local schools, fire departments and other area non-profits.
With assistance from USDA, the center has also gained video teleconferencing capability. The UKVEC staff has contacted area law firms, business and non-profits that might have a need for teleconferencing to make them aware of its availability.
A predevelopment planning grant will be awarded to the town of Handley for engineering costs to replace sewer lines. Applications are also pending with USDA for a predevelopment planning grant for the town of Pratt and a wastewater extension project for Winifrede. Furthermore, three houses have been refurbished and one demolished through the HUD $1 program.
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