09 Feb Press Release: FRIENDS OF SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA RELEASES CREATIVE CATALYSTS: SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA’S ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION PLAN
CONTACT:
Olivia Bailey
Director of Marketing
Friends of Southwest Virginia
obailey@myswva.org
(276)-698-9676
FRIENDS OF SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA RELEASES
CREATIVE CATALYSTS: SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA’S ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION PLAN
This dynamic guide identifies Southwest Virginia’s strides in the creative economy & provides future opportunities for regional and multi-state initiatives.
ABINGDON, Va. Friends of Southwest Virginia and regional partners announce the release of the Creative Catalysts: Southwest Virginia’s Economic Transformation Plan.
Creative Catalysts: Southwest Virginia’s Economic Transformation study is a dynamic guide to identify and support Southwest Virginia’s strong creative economy and the development of new regional and multi-state projects.
With boundaries touching four Central Appalachian states, Southwest Virginia holds high potential to serve as an anchor or partner for broad, regional projects. The project focuses on a look into five key sectors: higher education, tourism, food, economic development, and environmental and social justice.
Southwest Virginia has been on the forefront of developing and sustaining economies with contributions of cultural heritage assets and tourism development through key partnerships and community spark plugs. Through numerous community interviews and assembly of records of successful regional projects, the project team additionally compiled a list of lessons learned to lead strategies for future projects. Among some of those insights include encouraging regional leaders to stay creative and forward thinking, celebrating successes, networking, and creative methodologies for funding.
This plan was funded by a 2018 Appalachian Regional Commission POWER planning grant. This initiative was supported by a project leadership team of representatives throughout Southwest Virginia and partners across state lines in Tennessee, North Carolina, Kentucky, and West Virginia.
To download the full plan, visit HERE.