Location
Marshall University
Start Date
9-11-2018 2:30 PM
End Date
9-11-2018 2:50 PM
Description
This project will identify and define the economic challenges faced by distressed counties in West Virginia regarding sustainable and entrepreneurship manufacturing. In addition, one historic model will be examined as to their successes and past challenges.Large scale manufacturing, once a mainstay in the state’s economy has been and is on a steady decline in West Virginia. Even when manufacturing was a viable component of the state’s economy, it was concentrated, for the most part in populated areas. Rural areas, lacking the necessary infrastructure for robust manufacturing, was stuck in a perpetual distressed condition with only the production of coal as the exception. Coal production has experienced a recent increase in activity, but it falls woefully short of providing the environmental, economic, social equality levels needed in the distressed areas of the state. Therefore, small scale manufacturing and cottage industries overcome many of the negatives in these distressed counties to provide immediate opportunities for individuals to improve economically. My study included literature and article reviews, database searches, and personal interviews of entrepreneurs and cottage industry leaders in distressed counties in West Virginia.I identified many successful ventures, with one particular stand out – Cabin Creek Quilts. Cabin Creek Quilts started in 1970 with the project organized by VISTA (Volunteers In Service To America). The co-op organized skilled quilters into an efficient cottage industry. The results of my close examination of this long-term, successful and sustainable cottage industry proves that this model can and is being duplicated throughout distressed areas to increase the economic, social, and environmental sustainability of the regions. In addition, other small manufacturing/cottage industries that are not dependent on substantial infrastructure will be examined to form models for future exploration.
Included in
Sustainability & Entrepreneurship Manufacturing in Distressed West Virginia Counties
Marshall University
This project will identify and define the economic challenges faced by distressed counties in West Virginia regarding sustainable and entrepreneurship manufacturing. In addition, one historic model will be examined as to their successes and past challenges.Large scale manufacturing, once a mainstay in the state’s economy has been and is on a steady decline in West Virginia. Even when manufacturing was a viable component of the state’s economy, it was concentrated, for the most part in populated areas. Rural areas, lacking the necessary infrastructure for robust manufacturing, was stuck in a perpetual distressed condition with only the production of coal as the exception. Coal production has experienced a recent increase in activity, but it falls woefully short of providing the environmental, economic, social equality levels needed in the distressed areas of the state. Therefore, small scale manufacturing and cottage industries overcome many of the negatives in these distressed counties to provide immediate opportunities for individuals to improve economically. My study included literature and article reviews, database searches, and personal interviews of entrepreneurs and cottage industry leaders in distressed counties in West Virginia.I identified many successful ventures, with one particular stand out – Cabin Creek Quilts. Cabin Creek Quilts started in 1970 with the project organized by VISTA (Volunteers In Service To America). The co-op organized skilled quilters into an efficient cottage industry. The results of my close examination of this long-term, successful and sustainable cottage industry proves that this model can and is being duplicated throughout distressed areas to increase the economic, social, and environmental sustainability of the regions. In addition, other small manufacturing/cottage industries that are not dependent on substantial infrastructure will be examined to form models for future exploration.
Comments
A recording of this event is available at https://ensemble.marshall.edu/Watch/s5D3Lxt7.
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