Special Initiatives:

Central Appalachia Network (CAN) - Central Appalachia Network (CAN)

CAN has published a new document: Building Sustainable Ecomies in a Shrinking World

The Central Appalachian Network (CAN) is comprised of

eight action-oriented nonprofit organizations based in

Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.

CAN formed in 1993 when the Aspen Institute sponsored a

meeting of practitioners, policy makers and others involved in local economic development issues within this region. A major focus of the meeting was to explore how a regional approach could facilitate increasing the effectiveness and scale of local economic development initiatives targeting low-income residents of the region. Due to the tremendous interest in the possibilities for regional collaboration, the

participants formed CAN and began to build capacity and

impact through the synergy created by the power of the

multi-state network.

Since its inception, CAN has matured and expanded its organizational and collaborative capacity. Although the leadership of most CAN organizations has changed during the past 14 years, the organizational commitments and participation have remained constant. CAN is built on trust and reciprocity – common values of rural areas. These innovative organizations continue to share strategies, resources and connections to build the foundation for a rural economy that restores and builds upon the ecological and cultural assets of this special, but often overlooked and discounted region. CAN, working to build a better, healthier, more just regional economy. CAN takes the lead in research, analysis, demonstration, outreach and extension, bringing the much

larger and better–funded public sector along with the network.

Looking ahead, CAN envisions thriving, healthy rural communities prospering from sustainably managed natural resource-based economies and informed leadership. Our communities will be attractive places to live and work, with high levels of regional self-sufficiency. With the support of a small, committed group of funding partners, the organizations comprising CAN have demonstrated

unceasing commitment to Central Appalachia - and each other - for over 14 years. It is now time to leverage CAN’s enormous investment and explore support for a system that amplifies and sustains CAN’s work.

CAN includes the following organizations:
• Center for Economic Options (CEO) - West Virginia
• Appalachian Center for Economic Networks (ACEnet) - Ohio
• Mountain Association for Community and Economic Development       (MACED) - Kentucky
• Institute for Local Government and Rural Development (ILGARD)
at Ohio University’s Voinovich Center for Leadership and Public Affairs
• Appalachian Sustainable Development - Virginia
• The Conservation Fund’s Natural Capital Investment Fund, Inc. -West Virginia

• The Jubilee Project - Tennessee

• Rural Action - Ohio

West Virginia: A Vision Shared - CEO is a member of the New Economy: New Challenges and New Solutions' taskforce of the Vision Shared initiative – a long range planning process to lead the state toward a positive economic position, now and in years to come. As a member of the Committee on Entrepreneurship and Chair of the Market Access and Innovation Subcommittee, CEO is working collaboratively to increase market access and success for small businesses in West Virginia. The subcommittee plans to launch a Made in West Virginia campaign that will inform the public of the importance of supporting local enterprise.

CEO has also worked with colleagues from the public, private and non profit sectors to help develop a Blueprint for Entrepreneurship in West Virginia. This document lays the groundwork for a strategy for economic development and community renewal in the state. The collaborative process challenges the conventional thinking on economic development and is committed to refocusing necessary resources toward entrepreneurship and small business.

CEO's participation has helped to garner attention and support for small scale manufacturing, rural business, and a full spectrum of entrepreneurs - from the "gazelle" businesses that have the capacity and desire to grow quickly, to the new business owners wishing to grow incrementally, to business owners that operate enterprises at a level that is satisfying and manageable for their personal situation.

Made Right Here – West Virginia Summit on Small-Scale Manufacturing
Custom-designed for businesses like yours, Made Right Here – West Virginia's Summit on Small-Scale Manufacturing was held June 20th and 21st at Embassy Suites in Charleston. Center for Economic Options (CEO) hosted the “Made Right Here ” summit in partnership with Senator Jay Rockefeller and the Discover the REAL WV Foundation to highlight the importance of small-scale manufacturing for West Virginia's economy. Another anticipated outcome of the summit will be draft federal legislation that will help rural, West Virginia-based manufacturers receive the support they need to be viable.

“CEO generally describes small-scale manufacturing firm as a business with twenty or fewer employees that is locally owned and operated and is creating products for the marketplace,” said Pam Curry, CEO's executive director. “Although these business owners face similar challenges and opportunities as larger manufacturers, they are often overlooked and undervalued in our economy.”

According to Curry, “The Summit was a wonderful opportunity for small-scale manufacturers to come together to be recognized as individuals and as an industry.” Whether a business consists of a person making hand-crafted furniture, or a commercial facility making salsa, customized optical equipment or textiles, there are many people in this state engaged in value-added production. “It is time to recognize not only the value that small scale manufacturers add to our economy, but also to work together to help them succeed.” said Curry. “The Summit was a chance to bring this industry sector together for the first time.”

At the Summit, a variety of small-scale manufacturers, service providers, and government representatives engaged in interactive panel discussions, with audience participation, on policy issues (taxation, health care, etc.), services, and product markets. Caroline Carpenter with the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, a CEO funding partner, participated, along with many other special guests. CEO also released initial research findings on the economic impact of the small-scale manufacturing industry on the state's economy.
The Small Scale Manufacturing Summit and CEO were featured in a three page article in the Fall 2004 edition of Discover the Real West Virginia Magazine (sdearing@drwvfoundation.org - 304 345 0700).

Building an Industry of Culture in West Virginia - In September 2001 the Center for Economic Options (CEO) was invited to participate in a planning group formed by the Appalachian Regional Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts, and several foundations to focus on economic development that encompasses Arts and Heritage, Entrepreneurship, and Sustainable Development in Appalachia. As an outcome the group planned and coordinated the Building Creative Economies Conference which was held in Asheville, North Carolina in April 2002. At the conference CEO helped facilitate the formation of a West Virginia steering group which chose the strategy of building an Industry of Culture in West Virginia as its focus.

In addition to CEO, the group includes Tamarack, MountainMade.com, Poplar Forest, the WV Arts and Crafts Guild, the WV Department of Culture and History and the WV Small Business Development Center. The group agreed to assess the current and potential economic impact of the state’s rich tradition of Arts, Heritage, and Culture through a survey that was mailed to a combined client mailing list. The WVSBDC received and entered the results and the Center for Business and Economic Research at Marshall University conducted the analysis.

This ground-breaking economic research reflects that more than $54.5 illion is contributed to the state economy each year through the sale of arts and crafts in West Virginia.

The Industry of Culture collaboration continues to grow in scope and participation and has now evolved into a broader A Vision Shared initiative called Creative Communities.