Gayle Manchin, Ryan Thorn to visit Fayette County to celebrate award of federal funds

FAYETTEVILLE, WV (LOOTPRESS) Gayle Manchin, Federal Co-Chair of the Appalachian Regional Commission, and Ryan Thorn, U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development West Virginia State Director, Ryan Thorn will be joining West Virginia Hive and New River Gorge Regional Development Authority in celebration of federal funds awarded in support of a new Fayette County food incubation hub location.

An announcement will take place on the Fayette County Courthouse lawn at 9:00am on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, followed by a 10:00am to 11:30am roundtable discussion at the Solders and Sailors Memorial Building which members of the public have been invited to attend. The discussion will highlight achievements and challenges and will be moderated by Thorn and Deputy Director of the New River Gorge Regional Development Authority, Judy Moore.

“The WV Hive continually seeks to identify gaps in support for the entrepreneurs we serve. In southern West Virginia, there is a lack of concentrated business development support for food businesses, including access to commercial kitchen space. There are very few commercial kitchens in West Virginia, and none known within the 13-county service area of the WV Hive,” said Moore.

“The WV Hive’s food incubation hub will include a commercial kitchen with space for 10 to 12 businesses, small wares, and catering supplies. In addition to the kitchen, the food hub will include full WV Hive business support services, with one-on-one business advising and technical assistance support, including access to specialized food management training from the Food Finance Institute.”

Gayle Manchin spoke positively of the development and diversification which stands to be brought about by way of the development.

“Supporting growth of food and agriculture-based businesses not only spurs economic diversification across Appalachia, but also provides affordable and nutritious food for our people,” said Manchin. “ARC is proud to be a piece of the puzzle in helping the Fayette County food hub come to fruition. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with USDA’s Rural Partners Network and the New River Gorge Regional Development Authority to further uplift the future economic growth of southern West Virginia.”