Appalachian Power Awards Economic Development Grants

HUNTINGTON - The Mingo County Redevelopment Authority has been awarded a $20,000 grant to support a new strategic marketing plan and related marketing materials for the Mingo County Wood Products Industrial Park.

The EDGE Grant was recently awarded by Appalachian Power. MCRA was one of more than 20 government and nonprofit organizations to recently receive grant funding from Appalachian Power in support of programs and initiatives that attract industry and encourage business expansion.

Appalachian Power officials said the funding is part of the company's ongoing effort to promote local economic development in the company's three-state service area.

"Economic development is a collaborative effort," Brad Hall, Appalachian Power external affairs vice president, said in a news release announcing the grants. "These grants are a way to support the creativity and outstanding programs that create and retain jobs in the communities we serve."

Appalachian Power launched its annual EDGE Grant program in 2014.

"We appreciate the daily hard work and dedication exhibited by our economic development partners," said John Smolak, Appalachian Power economic and business development director. "If their programs are successful, then we as a utility provider are stronger for it."

Other 2018 EDGE Grant recipients in southern West Virginia included a $12,000 grant to help the Huntington Area Development Council to engage a consulting firm to assist with a branding program, site consultant relationships and other social media marketing for the Huntington region.

There was also a $20,000 grant awarded to the Lincoln County Development Authority to assist with the development and marketing of a 25-acre site in the Lincoln County North Business Park and a $15,000 grant to the Mason County Development Authority to redevelop its economic development website, marketing materials and new site videos of industrial properties.