GVEDC receives ‘Redevelopment Partner of the Year’ Award
PRESS RELEASE:
MAXWELTON, W.Va. – The Greenbrier Valley Economic Development Corporation (GVEDC) has been recognized with the Redevelopment Partner of the Award by the West Virginia Brownfields Assistance Centers at the 2025 West Virginia Brownfields and Main Street Conference in Morgantown.
The award is given to organizations that demonstrate a strong commitment to redeveloping brownfield sites and work closely with the West Virginia Brownfields Assistance Centers to advance projects across the state. The organization was nominated for the award by George Carico, Director, WV Brownfields Assistance Center at Marshall University.
GVEDC is currently assisting the Pocahontas County Commission on the continued cleanup of the former Howe’s Leather Tannery site in Frank, WV through EPA Brownfields funding. Once the site of the largest producer of shoe sole leather in the world, and the largest employer in the county, the property is being prepared for reuse with the collective goal of once again providing jobs for the region.
GVEDC also secured a cleanup grant to remove asbestos at the former Greenville School in Monroe County. The abatement will mark the first step toward redeveloping the property into additional senior housing.
“Redevelopment is about more than restoring properties, it’s about restoring potential,” said Ruthana Beezley, Executive Director of the Greenbrier Valley EDC. “We are honored to be recognized as a Redevelopment Partner and grateful for the collaboration with the Brownfields Assistance Centers and our many local partners who share our vision for stronger, more vibrant communities.”
GVEDC recognized the critical support of its partners in these projects, including the WV Brownfields Assistance Centers, the Pocahontas County Commission, WV Department of Environmental Protection, Region 1 Planning and Development Council, and the Monroe County Council on Aging, WV Technical Assistance for Brownfields, and EPA Region 3.
