McDowell County Enterprise Community

Latest Progress Reports

State: West Virginia
County (Census Tracts): McDowell (9536, 9539, 9540, 9541, 9542, 9543, 9544)
Community Population: 24,590
Community Area: 424.4 sq. mi.
Poverty Rate: 39.1%
Unemployment Rate: 19.5
Per Capita Income: $10,632
Education: 47.7% of population lack a high school education.

Overview

McDowell County is a rural region that is economically depressed, professionally unattractive, educationally distressed, and steeped in cultural biases and traditions. By adopting a collaborative, holistic approach, the organizers of the community developed a proposal to address the diverse needs of the community. The plan developed a committee structure to include input from all residents. The communities developed goals and strategies for: economic development and infrastructure, promoting and enhancing the quality of life, and integrating health and social service delivery.

Key Activities

Economic Opportunity:

The community will promote economic development and independence through a Microenterprise program. It will incorporate business organizations and activities to ensure a wide range of possibilities including existing workable projects. It is designed to provide low and moderate income individuals with business skills and access to capital. The Microenterprise loan fund will provide small amounts of capital, training, discipline, and individual initiative to create or enhance existing small businesses.

In additions, the community has developed a plan to attract businesses to locate in the state and use the agricultural resources, technology and research options.

The State of West Virginia will support the development of a municipal solid waste recycling and ethanol conversion facility to be located in McDowell County. This facility will employ 100 high-skill workers and will be self-financed.

Sustainable Economic and Community Development:

Through innovative linkages with community groups, foundations and local educational institutions, the community will upgrade its work force. One linkage is the Model Adult Literacy Academy. The Academy will address remediation in English, math, and reading. Because West Virginia has a strong fiber optic network, the community will develop an intensive training course in computer technology and related programs.

Contact:

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