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34 Mountain Park Drive, White Hall, WV 26554 • 304.366.5693 • regionvi@regionvi.com
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WELCOME TO REGION VI PDC
Region VI was created from the 1971 West Virginia Regional Planning & Development Act. The Act mandated that West Virginia be divided into 11 regions to serve as "development districts" to more effectively use the state's resources and maximize small communities chances of attracting federal dollars. By 1973 the citizens and elected officials in the Region VI area had begun determining their individual and combined needs and hired staff to begin working on these problems.
The Council's mission involves the conversion of community and economic development needs into proactive strategies and plans, which then become realistic opportunities, and finally actual projects or programs. The Councils operate as low-key facilitators in a systematic and synergistic process. Their roles range from regional planning for identification and prioritization of local goals and objectives to maneuvering the local, state and federal bureaucracies to pursue grants or project endorsement.
The Councils are structured as locally oriented, public corporations. They are directed by elected officials from the elected appointees from a cross-section of region's social and economic institutions. Each Council retains a professional staff adept in public administration, regional/community planning and economic development.
The Region is composed of six (6) counties and thirty-nine (39) municipalities.
Doddridge, Harrison, Marion, Monongalia, Preston and Taylor Counties.
Albright, Anmoore, Barrackville, Blacksville, Bridgeport, Brandonville, Bruceton Mills, Clarksburg, Fairmont, Fairview, Farmington, Flemington, Grafton, Grant Town, Granville, Kingwood, Lost Creek, Lumberport, Mannington, Masontown, Monongah, Morgantown, Newburg, Nutter Fort, Pleasant Valley, Rivesville, Reedsville, Rowlesburg, Salem, Shinnston, Star City, Stonewood, Terra Alta, Tunnelton, West Union, West Milford, Westover, White Hall, Worthington.
Region VI is funded through a combination of federal, state, and local sources. All local governments, municipalities and counties pay a dues assessment as their contribution to the agency's operation which is mandated by state law.
The Appalachian Regional Commission provides funds for the Council's governmental assistance activities. ARC funds are used for staff salaries and expenses associated with program planning, project development and grant writing. The funds are used to plan and implement sewer and water systems, recreational projects, and solid waste disposal systems. Council staff provides inter-governmental reviews of all projects requesting federal or state financial assistance. ARC funding is also used to provide staff assistance to small towns on budgets, financial management, ordinances, and PSC reports.
The Economic Development Administration provides funds for staff to assist local governments and development authorities in attracting and retaining businesses. Economic Development staff assists in putting together financial packages and writing funding applications, compiling data for community and county profiles, planning and promoting industrial sites, and developing marketing strategies for business and industrial development.
The Council also serves as a clearinghouse for data produced by the U.S. Bureau of Census. The Council takes requests for specific census data from organizations and individuals and provides mapping of census tracts.
In addition, the Council provides information on several economic indicators including employment statistics, cost of living factors, retail and wholesale trade, leading manufacturers, as well as available sources of alternative financing.
In recent years the Council has derived a large portion of its operating expenses from grant administration. Most local governments lack the trained staff necessary to deal with the regulations and requirements of federal and state grants. Region VI staff is extremely experienced in this field and can provide grant administration services to the smaller communities and public service districts in a timely and cost effective manner. The costs of the administration are included in the grant award. The Council staff has administered projects that involved funding from Small Cities Block Grants, Environmental Protection Agency, Rural Development, Appalachian Regional Commission, Small Business Administration, Governor's Community Participation Program, Land & Water Conservation Fund Program, Transportation Enhancement Program, Economic Development Administration, WV IJDC Loan/Grant Program, DWTRF and the Water Development Authority.
The Regional Council provides staff who have the experience and expertise to deal with issues and who have the opportunity and capability to work with federal and state agencies on behalf of local governments.
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