Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.  

Today is Wednesday, June 5, 2024.

Off-road trails inject new life into Mercer County tourism…Applications are open for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program…and hike with a pack goat on the Greenbrier River Trail…on today’s daily304.

#1 – From METRO NEWS – Mercer County leaders recently celebrated the 13th anniversary of the Pocahontas Trail System of the Hatfield-McCoy Trails.

The Pocahontas trails have helped muster in a slow rebirth in the western part of Mercer County after years of decline in the coal industry.

“Typically we’d have folks open up a cabin here or a cabin there or expand their existing business. Now, we’re starting to see some larger investments like resorts which are four to six million dollar investments. Those are great for our area creating jobs and other opportunities for our local communities,” said Chris Zeto with the Hatfield-McCoy Trails.

A ride from Bluefield to Bramwell on U.S. Route 52 will confirm the assertion. Every mile or two reveals signs catering to trail riders with lodging, ATV repairs, dealerships, restaurants or other services oriented directly to off-road enthusiasts.

To get your permit or learn more, visit trailsheaven.com.

Read more:

https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/27/trail-system-continues-to-draw-visitors-and-investment-to-southern-w-va/

#2 – From WESTVIRGINIA.GOV –  The West Virginia Department of Economic Development and West Virginia Office of Energy announce the release of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program for local governments and nonprofits to implement energy efficiency retrofits.

WVOE plans to offer 35 energy efficiency retrofit grants of up to $37,000 for local governments and 14 energy efficiency retrofit grants of up to $25,000 for rural communities serving nonprofits that improve energy efficiency and reduce energy expenses.

Applications are due by June 14, 2024, and can be found at energywv.org/eecbg.

Read more:

https://westvirginia.gov/wv-department-of-economic-development-and-wv-office-of-energy-announce-applications-are-open-for-the-energy-efficiency-and-conservation-block-grant-program/

#3 – From THE REAL WV – Meet Aaron Coleman, the man who traverses the Greenbrier River Trail with his three American Alpine pack goats, Ragnar, Athelstan, and Floki. 

Coleman is the founder of The Greenbrier Goat, a pack-goat touring company for cyclists and day hikers. He aspires to open up the majesty and wonder of the Greenbrier River Trail to all people, helping to make the trail and a day camping excursion experience accessible to those with physical disabilities.

Coleman works closely with the Forest Service, the West Virginia Department of Tourism, and the Small Business Development Center. The Department of Tourism linked Coleman with Cranberry Adventures, whom he cites as his “in-state mentor,” as they also use animals to help people explore Appalachian forest trails. 

“We could give a chance for a group of people with less mobility, younger or older, a destination on the river trail that they could strive for that’s accessible, and they could roll into the goat powered base camp and have a safe haven, first aid, cold water, and just a place to have shelter. And meet a pack goat,” he said.

You can find The Greenbrier Goat on Facebook.

Read more:

https://therealwv.com/2024/05/17/pack-goating-up-the-river-trail-with-the-greenbrier-goat/

Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304.

The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo. 

That’s all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.