We’re All in this Together

NBAC Staff Still Available for Remote Project Assistance

On March 18, the staff of the Northern WV Brownfields Assistance Center shifted to remote work in accordance with policies for the rest of the WVU campus and in response to ongoing public health concerns and efforts to limit the spread and impact of the COVID-19 virus.

Working remotely for a sustained period of time is a big change for all of us, but one that is necessary and important for the public health and safety of the communities we serve and love. We are all very grateful to have positions that allow us this flexibility in an uncertain time.

In the midst of all this uncertainty, one thing remains steady for the NBAC staff: our commitment to our projects, communities, and partners. We miss interacting with you and visiting your sites and events, but we remain hard at work and available to you as needed.

Here is a snapshot of the kinds of things we’re working on these days.

Project Support

Since 2019, the NBAC has awarded 15 FOCUS grants to help jumpstart brownfield projects across the state. Project managers continue to work with their local project champions on these projects and to plan for a Project Showcase at the 2020 WV Brownfields Conference & Main Street/ON TRAC Training. If work is still continuing on your FOCUS project, or you have questions about how to adjust your timeline based on current travel and work restrictions, please reach out to your NBAC project lead to talk it through.

Additionally, Economic Redevelopment Specialist Ray Moeller continues to work with projects and partners on the Downtown Appalachia initiative, providing technical assistance and project funding to downtown redevelopment projects in partnership with the Natural Capital Investment Fund. Ray’s legendary project tours around the state have turned virtual, as he works with property owners and community leaders to make sure projects remain on track or that timelines are shifted where needed.

2020 Brownfields Conference – a Redevelopment Reunion

Plans are still underway for the 2020 WV Brownfields Conference & Main Street/ON TRAC Training. As we work remotely and are missing all of our partners and redevelopment friends, we’re especially excited for our favorite fall event and the opportunity to re-engage on projects and resources. The Call for Sessions closed at the end of March, and we received a record number of proposals! The Planning Committee will select sessions in April and registration will launch later this Spring.

Identifying Project and Community Resources

As always, we are working to identify new and traditional resources for projects and communities. We are currently working with the Brownfields Assistance Center at Marshall University, WV Department of Environmental Protection, and US EPA Region 3 to schedule a series of webinars and workshops focused on the next round of EPA Brownfield grants. Stay tuned for more information on this series in the coming weeks.

We’re collecting lists and links to resources and webinars on longstanding grants and other resources, as well as new opportunities created as part of efforts to mitigate the economic impact of current events.

All of these opportunities are being shared through our WV Brownfields Facebook page and the monthly Brownfields Insider. If you’re not already seeing these, be sure to like our page and join the mailing list!

Still Here for You

The bottom line is, our staff is still here and ready to provide whatever assistance we can. Even though we can’t visit, we are available via email and phone, and we can even set up a video call so it feels like we’re in the same room. So if you’re looking for us, reach out – even just to say hello – and we’ll all be together again before you know it.