What does it take to successfully build the economy of a small community once dependent on coal? Economic diversity. But why are some residents wary of business diversification and the entrepreneurial spirit? Can arts and cultural heritage play a critical role in that economic diversification? WMMT Mountain Talk host Kelli Haywood discusses small town economics […]
WMMT’s Mountain Talk Monday brings you Anthony Flaccavento’s recent book talk held at the University of Virginia at Wise. Flaccavento is a small-scale commercial organic farmer, author, speaker and widely respected community development consultant from southwestern Virginia. His book “Building a Healthy Economy from the Bottom Up: Harnessing Real-World Experience for Transformative Change” features six […]
“Big Ideas Fest” featured speaker says Youngstown, OH had to look at assets and diversify after steel industry gone, like mining decline in Appalachia. Jay Williams, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Director of the Economic Development Administration, compared similar efforts to rebuild his hometown – Youngstown, OH, where the steel industry cratered in […]
Can artists, dancers, actors, musicians and creative thinkers of all varieties contribute to the economic rebuilding of our Appalachian communities? WMMT’s Kelli Haywood looked for answers to that question as she visited the 15th annual Cowan Creek Mountain Music School at the Cowan Community Center. The Center is one partner in a creative placemaking effort led […]
