Beckley, W.Va. (March 11, 2024) – The New River Gorge Regional Development Authority (NRGRDA) and its entrepreneurial arm – the West Virginia Hive – are major sponsors of the Woman of the Year reception and Women’s Expo being held March 21-23 at the Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Center. This is the 26th year Southern Communications has organized this popular networking and vendor event.
NRGRDA Executive Director Jina Belcher said it is important to shine the light on the many contributions being made by women throughout southern West Virginia. “As someone who grew up in McDowell County and chose to get a great education in Mercer County and land in Raleigh County for a stimulating career, I see firsthand every day the many valuable sacrifices and achievements made by female leaders to make the New River Gorge region special,” she said.
Judy Moore, NRGRDA’s deputy director and executive director of the WV Hive, is a Nicholas County native who came home after working many years in the northern part of the state. “The Women’s Expo is a great showcase for the businesses and non-profit organizations of the region,” said Moore. “We are excited to see so many of our local businesses participating in this long-standing Spring celebration at the Women’s Expo.”
Tickets for the Mixer and Woman of the Year Award celebration are $10 and must be purchased in advance. Free and discount coupons are available across southern West Virginia. A list of locations are available at womanwv.com. Vendor spaces are sold out.
Jack and Kathleen Taggart, owners of New River Farms Sawmill in Danese, made their home in West Virginia after Jack’s service in the United States Army to settle and start the business of their dreams.
Leaders of the New River Gorge Regional Development Authority (NRGRDA) and its entrepreneurial program – the West Virginia Hive – are seeking the community’s input by the end of the year on several aspects of a new Food Business Incubation Hub in Fayette County.
Leading local non-profit organizations — Forward Southern West Virginia and New River Gorge Regional Development Authority (NRGRDA) — are donating $10,000 each to help propel an education and training campaign, Project GRACE (Gathered Response to Address Child Exploitation), being coordinated by Just for Kids Child Advocacy Center serving Fayette and Raleigh counties.
Click here to signup for our newsletter!
