As 2024 comes to a close, the West Virginia Grant Resource Centers’ team is reflecting on another remarkable year and the projects and partnerships that have made it so impactful.
This year, we launched our Client Spotlight series to shine a light on the inspiring work our clients are leading in their communities. Each month, we’ve shared their stories — from their introduction to our services to proposal submission. These features highlight not only the awards they’ve secured, but also the passion and dedication behind their efforts.
Together, we’ve helped clients secure more than $41 million in grant funding to support economic, community, and workforce development across the state. This month, we’re catching up with some of those clients about their ongoing projects and other exciting developments!
J.H. Fletcher & Co.
In May 2024, J.H. Fletcher & Co. received $75,000 from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Wind Energy Technology Office (WETO) Wind Turbine Materials Recycling Prize, Phase I: Initiate! The Huntington-based business’ Phase I award funded Fletcher Engineered Solutions to invest in research, marketing, and establish a team of professionals, businesses, and recyclers across multiple states.
In August, J.H. Fletcher & Co. received a U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Energy for America Program grant for $94.,737.50 to replace facility lighting with energy-efficient alternatives. Then, in September, J.H. Fletcher & Co. was selected as a Phase II award recipient, which will fund the production of their wind turbine blade recycling prototype.
Update from Bill Kendall, project lead at J.H. Fletcher & Co.:
“We did receive the $500,000 award for Phase 2 of the NREL wind turbine blade recycling project to actually build the system and also (nearly) $100,000 to use working with Sandia National Labs who will work with us and recyclers to best use the shredded blade material. We have been working to finalize the engineering and design of the system and working with a customer on leasing the system from us. We hope to have the system built, tested, and in the field operating by the end of 2025.”
W.A. Wilson, Inc. Glass Plus
As of June 2024, W.A. Wilson Glass Plus had received a USDOE Industrial Assessment Centers (IAC) Implementation award to support LED light replacements in their office, warehouse, and production facilities, as well as a USDA REAP Grant to replace their aging glass tempering furnace. When installed, the tempering furnace will enable the business to create more advanced coated glass and ensure consistent quality.
Update from Tim Moore, project lead and Vice President of Process Engineering, W.A. Wilson Glass Plus:
“W.A. Wilson has completed the lighting project and received the funds. The Glaston FC tempering furnace project is in its final training stage and will be completed Friday, December 20th. We will apply for the grant funds after the 30-day operational requirements.”
New Economy Works WV
In August 2024, New Economy Works West Virginia Co-op had received a $2,000 grant from the Appalachian Community Fund to support the team’s attendance and travel expenses for two conferences, where they could connect with and learn from similar organizations.
Earlier this month, NEW WV was awarded a $25,000 grant from the AEP Foundation for NEW WV’s operations budget. This funding will assist in building NEW WV’s capacity to offer more business capital to small businesses in the Mountain State.
Update from Mavery Davis, project lead and Director, New Economy Works West Virginia Co-op:
“Since receiving funding, we’ve provided cooperative business education to 10 individuals and participated in impactful events like the National Conference on Black Cooperative Agenda and a Detroit site visit, where we explored urban farming and cooperative development ecosystems. These experiences have inspired our work and informed our approach to technical assistance and capital deployment in West Virginia. Additionally, we were awarded $25,000 from the Appalachian American Power Foundation, which wouldn’t have been possible without the Grant Center’s invaluable support. Moving forward, we remain committed to securing funding for operations, training, and developing initiatives like Restaurants, Food Supply and Distribution Hubs.”
Sunset Berry Farm
In September 2024, Sunset Berry Farm & Produce in Alderson had received two USDA grant awards: the Farm Labor Stabilization and Protection Pilot Program (FLSP) and the Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program. The FLSP award, totaling $100,000, funded the expansion of the small business’ workforce to assist with growing and harvesting produce. The second award supports the development of the Promoting Year-Round Farm-to-School Benefits through Freeze-Dried Initiatives project and a feasibility study.
This fall, Sunset Berry Farm & Produce was awarded the USDA Value-Added Producer Grant, as well as a WV Food and Farm Coalition Farm and Food Mini Grant. The Value-Added Producer Grant, which totaled $49,999, will help fund marketing and retail of fresh, local produce in Monroe, Greenbrier, Raleigh, and Summers Counties. The $10,000 Mini Grant supports the purchase of a new bean harvester.
Update from Jennifer and Kent Gilkerson, co-owners and project leads at Sunset Berry Farm & Produce:
“We would like to extend our most sincere thanks to Jessica Shaw for her unbelievable commitment to her career and clients. We have been in constant awe of her passion and dedication for her craft. It was obvious from our first meeting that Jessica strives for nothing less than perfection and this was proven time and time again with each application approval, which just kept coming and coming and coming totaling an unbelievable FOUR awards in one year!
We are excited for these opportunities that would otherwise be outside of our reach without Jessica’s invaluable help. Thanks to these grants, Sunset Berry Farm has been able to provide 2 year round and 10 seasonal jobs, collaborate with dozens of other food producers and businesses in West Virginia, increase access to healthy locally grown food for underserved children, adults and seniors, access new markets with our exciting new freeze dried produce enterprise and increase production of multiple fruits and vegetables, rendering our community more sustainable and self sufficient as it relates to our delicate food system. I can’t stress how valuable the West Virginia Grant Resource Centers have been for catapulting our agribusiness into a strong position for success and longevity in an otherwise fragile and uncertain environment.”