Matt Ford

The Meadow River Valley has no fiercer of an advocate than Matt Ford. As the head of the Greenbrier Environment Group, Matt has overseen the Meadow River Trail project every step of the way. Now well into its third phase, the project is poised to open the door to significant financial opportunities for both Fayette County, as well as the Western End of Greenbrier County.

The long road to get to this point has been a labor of love for Matt and the team behind the project, and his leadership has been a lightning rod for community collaboration.

“For this project to work between two different county commissions, and survive through election changes – this project has been strong enough to survive all that,” Ford said shortly after the Phase III groundbreaking last November. “It’s that important, and people recognize it.”

In addition to his dedication to the Meadow River Trail, Matt has overseen the transformation of the old Rupert School building, into the all new, state of the art, Rupert Apartments. The former school’s old classrooms have been turned into a mix of 14 affordable housing units, as well as six market rate housing units. The complex consists of 16 one-bedroom units, and four two-bedroom units. The units are scheduled to be ready for renting by the end of April.

For his tireless service and unyielding dedication to the residents of the Meadow River Valley, and beyond, we are pleased to name Matt Ford as the certified Real West Virginian of the Week.

Have someone you’d like to nominate? Email us at news@therealwv.com.