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ELKINS -- The Mon Forest Towns partnership became official this month with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding. The partnership has been in the works for more than two years and is focused on creating a shared vision for the recreation economy in rural communities in and around Monongahela National Forest. Next steps include installing specially-designed gateway signs in each town this spring.
The partnership includes West Virginia University, USDA Rural Development, USDA Forest Service and, most importantly, 10 gateway communities in and around Monongahela National Forest -- Cowen, Davis, Elkins, Franklin, Marlinton, Parsons, Petersburg, Richwood, Thomas and White Sulphur Springs.
"I'm proud of the sustained effort and focused collaboration this partnership represents," said Shawn Cochran, supervisor for Monongahela National Forest. "I'd like to thank WVU and USDA Rural Development for the important role they have played in bringing these communities together and fostering connections that will result in a strong plan for the future."
West Virginia University, Monongahela National Forest, and USDA Rural Development began conversations about the partnership in early 2016 by launching community meetings around the Forest. These meetings culminated in a June 2019 summit meeting, and the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding in April 2020.
The Mon Forest Towns website will launch later this summer. The website, created by designers from West Virginia University, will include an asset map featuring tourist amenities and recreation sites. In addition, as part of a Benedum grant awarded to the WVU Foundation, each town has $5,000 to devote to additional signs, kiosks and brochures.