ELKINS — Davis & Elkins College is among selected finalists for the prestigious Levitt AMP Grant, a nationally competitive opportunity that could bring up to $120,000 in funding to support three years of free, live outdoor concerts in Elkins.

The initiative, supported by the Levitt Foundation, is designed to activate underused public spaces through the power of music, fostering community connection, cultural vitality and a sense of belonging.

As part of the selection process, public voting is now underway, and community members are encouraged to cast their vote online or via text by Monday, Sept. 15 at 8 p.m. Residents can vote once per email address either by visiting https://vote.levitt.org/locations/davis-elkins-college or texting the keyword ELKINS to 877-409-5525.

“Winning this grant would be a game-changer for our community,” said Davis & Elkins College Vice President for Institutional Advancement Scott Goddard. “It would allow us to establish a consistent series of free, family-friendly concerts at the Citizens Bank of West Virginia Amphitheatre that celebrate the cultural richness of our region. We want to emphasize that this new series of original music events will not compete with the existing Our Town Concert Series at the Rotary Amphitheater. We are committed to working closely with Our Town to coordinate schedules and ensure concerts do not overlap, strengthening Elkins’ cultural offerings through collaboration.”

This grant proposal builds on the momentum of Elkins’ growing live music scene and strong community partnerships. For example, the upcoming Davisson Brothers Band Birthday Bash, set for Saturday, September 20 at the Citizens Bank of West Virginia Amphitheatre, is a free, multi-artist event that supports the Elkins/Randolph County YMCA and exemplifies the region’s vibrant musical culture. In case of inclement weather, the event will move indoors to Harper-McNeeley Auditorium, ensuring the music and community spirit continue uninterrupted.

The Levitt AMP grant, designed to help small and mid-sized towns create vibrant public spaces through music and shared experiences, would enable Elkins to feature both regional and national artists on a regular basis. The grant application and outreach effort has involved collaboration among numerous local partners, including Citizens Bank of West Virginia, the Elkins-Randolph County Chamber of Commerce, Augusta Heritage Center, Mountain State Forest Festival, Elkins/Randolph County YMCA, Randolph County Community Arts Center, and others. To complement grassroots support, Davis & Elkins College is also investing in targeted social media campaigns to maximize community engagement before the voting deadline.

“This is a special opportunity for Elkins to shine,” Goddard said. “We have the energy, the venues and the passion for music — now we just need the votes to bring it all together.”

Community members are encouraged to share the voting link and keyword widely to help bring this exciting series to Elkins.

For more information, contact Goddard, Vice President at 304-637-1352 or goddards@dewv.edu.