The West Virginia Grant Resource Centers enter the new year by celebrating a historic milestone.
The Centers, run jointly by WVU and Marshall University, have assisted clients in securing more than $51.5 million in local, state, private and federal funding through 124 awards across the state.
This is what a national model for targeted, regional economic development looks like: building tangible, results-driven projects town by town, community by community, and business by business.
With the support of the West Virginia Legislature and the Appalachian Regional Commission, the Grant Centers are successfully revitalizing communities, growing businesses, and building much needed skills and capacity in project budgeting, technical writing, successful pitching and partnership building.
Since launching Jan. 1, 2023, the Grant Centers have assisted West Virginia communities, nonprofit organizations, small businesses, and other eligible entities with securing $51,539,807.03 to support their economic, community, workforce and infrastructure development projects statewide.
These awards — 124 in total — have directly created or sustained 270 jobs in West Virginia.
To date, the Grant Centers have led 105 training events, resulting in the up-skilling of more than 3,444 individuals through its biweekly Live Grant Assistance Session webinars, in-person comprehensive Grants 101 Workshops and three cohorts of two virtual microcredential courses: Essentials of Grant Writing and Advanced Grant Writing.
Co-founder Liz Vitullo said she is proud of the collective impact of WVU and Marshall through the West Virginia Grant Resource Centers.
“The team continues to advance economic innovation and support our communities in so many ways, as evidenced by the dollars secured and the efforts they support. The milestone of West Virginians trained will pay dividends for years to come as we increase the expertise and technical skill sets in our non-profits, small businesses and other organizations.”
WVU and Marshall University presidents share the excitement and offer continued support for this initiative.
“This kind of community level work is foundational to the land-grant mission of West Virginia University,” WVU President Michael T. Benson said. “The milestone for the West Virginia Grant Resource Centers partnership shows how cooperation and collaboration can benefit the entire Mountain State.”
Marshall University President Brad D. Smith said the joint initiative exemplifies what is possible when institutions work together with a shared commitment to expanding opportunity and driving economic growth.
“Securing millions of dollars in competitive grants is an extraordinary achievement, and it reflects the dedication, expertise and vision of the entire team,” he added.
The West Virginia Grant Resource Centers is a joint Universities United partnership between Marshall University and WVU.
This effort is supported by the West Virginia Legislature and the Appalachian Regional Commission to help West Virginians develop competitive proposals to support their economic, workforce and community development projects and drive economic prosperity.