Challenges facing economic development in the Potomac Highlands and in West Virginia will be explored in a talk by John Deskins, PhD, director of the West Virginia University (WVU) Bureau of Business and Economics Research. The program will be held in the Mary F. Shipper Library on the WVU Potomac State College campus on Monday, November 26, from 5 to 7 p.m. beginning with a reception hosted by the Rotary Club of Keyser. This event is free and open to the public.
Dr. Deskins will share how his team of experts is developing a strategic action plan specific for the Potomac Highlands region, which includes Mineral, Grant, Hampshire, Hardy, and Pendleton Counties.
The diverse challenges for economic development throughout West Virginia present both opportunities and roadblocks. According to Dr. Deskins, “It’s not healthy, nor is it productive at all if we present some kind of one-size-fits-all economic development strategy, approach or mindset. Economic development needs to be tailored to each region in our state because their needs and their opportunities are so different.”
Dr. Deskins, who earned his PhD in economics from the University of Tennessee, also serves as an associate professor of economics, and as the assistant dean for Outreach and Engagement at WVU. His academic research has focused on economic development, small business economics, and government tax and expenditure policy. He leads the Bureau’s efforts by providing rigorous economic analysis and macroeconomic forecasting to business leaders and policymakers across the state.
Rotary Club President, Charles A. Julian, who also serves as associate university librarian at Potomac State College, noted, "We are pleased to be co-hosting this presentation with the College to enable local citizens to meet and greet Dr. Deskins and to get more details related to Region 8 planning and other economic development efforts. We welcome all members of the local community to become more invested in planning efforts by attending this meeting."
On-campus parking will be available for the event. For more information, contact the Library at 304-788-6901, email Nicholas Gardner at ngardner@mail.wvu.edu, or visit the Library's Facebook page at https://fb.com/PotomacStateLibrary.