RAIL News

Local volunteers led by Gary Runion, Pete Kirk, David Worley, Reese Neely, and numerous others dedicated themselves to building an outdoor stage where local artisans can perform.  Construction on the Stage Complex, that measures fifty feet wide, 16 deep, and 16 feet high, began on July 1.  The Volunteer Team had the floor section ready when an AmeriCorps*NCCC Team arrived on July 9.  The two teams quickly melded together and accepted the challenge to have the stage completed in one month and ready for a Celebration of Volunteers and AmeriCorps as well as grand opening of the Mullens Outdoor Entertainment Center.  There were some doubters in the community as to whether the structure could be completed in such a short period of time.  Especially since some of the team had never driven a nail or operated power carpentry tools.  Many community members joined in the effort and the structure began to take shape as onlookers drove by and shook their heads as to indicate-“you are not going to make it boys and girls”.  Although rain and material shortages delayed the team, they made it up working some late nights and had the Stage opening and Celebration as scheduled.

The all day entertainment lasted from 12 noon to 10:00 PM and featured local musicians and storytellers that included the AYERS FAMILY, THE GOSPEL HEIRS, SJD, MUDDY BOTTOM BOYS, CARL JORDAN AND THE WYOMING COUNTY RAMBLERS, BLUEGRASS CROSTIES, THE SWIFT RIVER BAND, and IVAN AND FRIENDS. Wilma Bowers and Regina Lee sang solo and Dvon Duncan and Lynn Mills did storytelling.  The entertainment program committee was headed up and arrangements were made by Dvon Duncan, Wilma Bowers and Darrell and Bertha Dunford.

Jason and Jim Mullins did their usual job of roasting a pig and turkeys to perfection.  The program committee assisted by BETA SIGMA THI sorority prepared and served a meal of fresh corn on the cob, green beans, and all the fixins.

The Celebration was about what a community can do for itself.  All labor for building the stage was done by area volunteers with assistance from the AmeriCorps Volunteers.  All the cooking, serving, and cleanup was done by volunteers.

The next scheduled activity on the new stage will be a performance by BUDDY ALLEN AND THE CHEAT RIVER BAND on Friday August 29.  Another of the area’s favorite groups THE GOSPEL HEIRS will open the show at 8 PM.  The admission is $5.00 per person.

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During the months of June through August, volunteers from the Wyoming County Business Retention, Expansion, and Development (BRE&D) committee will be visiting local businesses to conduct a comprehensive survey. This survey will ask a broad set of questions related to the immediate and long term needs of local existing businesses. Participants will be selected and contacted prior to arranging an interview. If your business is selected, the committee would greatly appreciate your cooperation. All responses will be confidential.

This survey is part of a larger effort of the BRE&D program. This program has two primary emphases: assisting the existing business community and developing creative economy assets in Wyoming County. As a part of the Wyoming County Planning Committee, BRE&D will be focusing on receiving feedback from local businesses, which are the lifeblood of the local economy. Additionally, the BRE&D committee will be working to develop an inventory of local creative assets (artisans and crafters, for example) to help turn those assets into thriving businesses. Surveying local businesses is an important first step toward understanding their needs and allowing them to speak out with one voice on issues that are important to their wellbeing.

The Wyoming County BRE&D program is funded through a sub-award grant from West Virginia State University through the Rural Business Service of the USDA to the Rural Appalachian Improvement League (RAIL). RAIL is working in a partnership with the Wyoming County Planning Committee and the Wyoming County Economic Development Authority to implement this program. If you are a business owner or manager and would like your business to participate in the survey or if you have any questions about this survey or the BRE&D program, please contact Josh Fangmeier at the Mullens Opportunity Center at (304) 294-6188 or jfangmeier@railwv.org.

To celebrate springtime and gardening, RAIL is giving away free watermelon, cucumber, and tomato plants at the Mullens Opportunity Center.  Several varieties of each are available, and although plants are available, they are not quite ready to transplant yet.  Interested gardeners should contact Ole Bye at 294-6188 or stop by the MOC.

The Rural Appalachian Improvement League has just released its new online news system. This web page will make it much easier for RAIL’s supporters, citizens of the community, and those just learning about RAIL to discover what we are doing to improve the situation in Southern WV.