Members of the media are invited to join the New River Gorge Regional Development Authority (NRGRDA) and WVU College of Business and Economics to discuss the forecasted economic climate in the New River Gorge Region and hear from economic development professionals and NRGRDA partners regarding the forward-moving work in the New River Gorge Region.

The New River Gorge Regional Development Authority and the

WVU College of Business and Economics

invite you to attend the

New River Gorge Regional Economic Outlook Summit

Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022 — 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Historic Black Knight Country Club

2400 S. Kanawha Street, Beckley, WV 25801

Agenda

8:30 – 9:00 — Registration and Breakfast

9:00 – 9:10 — Opening Remarks

• Mayor Rob Rappold – City of Beckley
• Jina Belcher, Executive Director – NRGRDA

9:10 – 9:55 — Regional Economic Analysis and Outlook

• Dr. John Deskins, Director, WVU Bureau of Business & Economic Research

9:55 – 10:10 — BREAK

10:10 – 11:00 – Strategic Programming Overview

• Jina Belcher, Executive Director, NRGRDA
• Quality of Place – Andrew Davis, Director of Strategic Redevelopment – NRGRDA

Active SWV Workplace Wellness Presentation

• Melanie Seiler – Executive Director, Active Southern West Virginia

WV Hive Network Presentation

• Judy Moore – Deputy Director, NRGRDA

Country Roads Angel Network Presentation

• Peyton Ballard – Managing Director, Country Roads Angel Network

11:00 – 11:15 — BREAK

11:15 – 11:50 — Regional, Statewide, Multi-State Initiatives

• PATTERN – Jenna Grayson, Director, Business Retention and Expansion – NRGRDA
• EPA TC TAC – Allison Smith, Grants and Impact Manager – NRGRDA
• ACT Now – Judy Moore, Deputy Director – NRGRDA
• Outdoor RIVERS – Danny Twilley, West Virginia University Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative

If you would like a pre-event interview, please let us know.

Allison Smith of NRGRDA will be the media’s primary on-site contact at the summit. She can be reached at email ([email protected]) or at phone (304-254-8115).