By WENDY HOLDREN
The Register-Herald
BECKLEY, W.Va. — The Town of Whitesville is hosting a two-day community workshop Aug. 15-16 to discuss the creation of a local community market and other opportunities for revitalization and economic development.
After applying last year for a technical assistance grant through the EPA, Marsha Shonk was named one of 18 recipients across the U.S. for the “Local Foods, Local Places” initiative.
In her letter of intent, she said she would like to see an indoor, year-round farmer’s market located in Whitesville, similar to but smaller in scale than the Capitol Market in Charleston.
A team of agency partners from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department of Agriculture (USDA), Department of Transportation (DOT), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), and Delta Regional Authority (DRA) will join local stakeholders for the Whitesville workshop.
“Your participation and knowledge is needed to help make this event a success,” Shonk said. “The workshop will help encourage and educate the community on how to work together around local food and markets to create healthy lifestyle options, jobs, and help grow and sustain the local economy.”
During the first day of the workshop, Aug. 15, a community meeting will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Salamy Building, located at 38117 Coal River Road in Whitesville, next to the park and library.
On the second day, Aug. 16, action planning work sessions will be held from 9 a.m. to noon, and from 1:30 to 5 p.m. at the Salamy Building. Refreshments will be provided both days.
For more information or to RSVP for the event, contact Marsha Shonk at 304-854-7365 or [email protected].
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