Create West Virginia

When Create WV was formed approximately two years ago, a clear strategy was adopted to empower local communities to understand and adopt "creative community" principles that would lead to new economy growth. This couldn't be another state-mandated, top down strategy. Communities would have to get excited about the potential and decide for themselves whether they wanted to adopt key pillars such as diversity, technology, 21st century learning, qualty of place and entrepreneurship.

It is amazingly gratifying when we experience communities that have in fact embraced new economy strategies. We've highlighted several so far, including places like Berkeley Springs and Lewisburg, which were early adopters of the strategy prior to Create WV's formation and have earned national reputations, as well as new emerging creative communities such as Mercer County.

The City of Buckhannon, an historic community of 7,500 in Upshur County along Rt. 33 ("Corridor H"), is seeking to burst on the scene as one of West Virginia's next successul creative communities. Already a thriving community which has experienced growth in population, cultural amenties and academic services (it's the home of WV Wesleyan College), Buckhannon has deeply embraced creative community and new economy growth principles in its 2015 strategic plan.

Take a look at their plan, especially sections I, J and K, and you'll see why we're excited about Buckhannon's direction. The community is holding a series of meetings in May to explain the plan and begin generating specific tactical plans for its execution. It's an exciting time in Upshur County!