Weirton, WV workshop to help communities access funding, plan for B.A.D. building demolition

The last of a series of five workshops to help groups interested in accessing Property Rescue Initiative funding and technical assistance for communities interested in addressing brownfield, abandoned and dilapidated, or B.A.D., buildings is set for Friday, March 4 at Williams Country Club in Weirton, WV. The West Virginia Housing Development Fund's PRI program provides loan funding for communities to remove or rehab dilapidated buildings. Authorized by the West Virginia State Legislature in 2015, PRI will make $1 million available each year for the next 5 years to acquire, renovate, or raze blighted and dilapidated structures. The workshops are a collaboration of the Northern West Virginia Brownfields Assistance Center, the West Virginia Community Development Hub, the WVU Land Use and Sustainable Development Law Clinic and the WVHDF.  West Virginia communities have scarce resources and limited funding options for acquisition, rehabilitation, and demolition of nuisance properties, the Business Development Corporation of the Northern Panhandle's executive director, Patrick Ford, said in a release issued March 2. “This funding strategy is extremely timely,” said Ford. “Working with a $25,000 gift from Huntington Bank last November, the funding opportunity will give our region access to necessary funds to factor into our local BAD building program that was launched in August of 2015.” BDC Chairman Bill D'Alesio said the funds from Huntington Bank will make it possible to hold a second BAD Building Summit this spring. “In preparation for this summit, and a subsequent application for PRI funding, the BDC is working with local stakeholders to inventory, characterize, and assess abandoned structures in their respective communities in order to selectively demolish severely dilapidated properties, of which this PRI funding will be necessary,” he said. The full day workshop will feature guest speakers, interactive sessions on stakeholder engagement and the B.A.D. Buildings process, and a panel of experts who will discuss creative ways to repay loans and reuse problem properties. Local government officials and volunteer groups are encouraged to bring several representatives from their community, particularly the two breakout sessions. Registration is $15 and can be done online at http://wvbadbuildings.org/property-rescue-initiative/pri-workshop-registration/. For more information about the Property Rescue Initiative, visit www.wvhdf.com/WVPRI, or call? 304.391.8643. http://www.statejournal.com/story/31376804/weirton-wv-workshop-to-help-communities-access-funding-plan-for-bad-building-demolition