All schools in Upshur County will close at 1 p.m. today. All B-UHS sporting events today are canceled.

Glenville State University receives ARC grant for hardwood industry development

Glenville State University student Gabrielle Dean operates a portable sawmill.

GLENVILLE, WV – Glenville State University has partnered with Dabney S. Lancaster Community College in Virginia and Big Sandy Community & Technical College in Kentucky for a grant funded by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) Power Initiative.

The federal ARC grant is providing 66% of the funding for the project for a total of $1.466 million dollars. The Appalachian Hardwood Training Initiative (AHTI) will develop educational and training opportunities for those employed in the industry’s sawmills and wood manufacturing facilities throughout the ARC region, as well as for underemployed and unemployed individuals in the region. The project will recruit and support new and incumbent workers through a comprehensive training and education program that will create pathways for the upskilling and creation of hardwood-related jobs in Virginia, Kentucky, and West Virginia over a three-year period. The AHTI will help to strengthen the hardwood industry workforce and ensure a steady supply of future applicants. The result will assist current employers as well as serve as an asset in attracting new businesses to locate to the area.

Glenville State University will be hiring a workforce coach who will work with the hardwood industry to identify training needs and then help create and facilitate that training. The grant will provide funding to reduce the cost of the training for the hardwood industry. Trainings will be as accessible and affordable as possible to new and incumbent employees, as well as those who wish to prepare for employment opportunities within the industry.

“The GSU forestry program has been serving the forest industry in West Virginia for over 50 years by educating and training students in a rigorous, 2-year, hands-on degree program. This grant will allow us to provide additional education and training to current and new employees in the hardwood industry or those seeking a career in the hardwood industry,” said Glenville State University Associate Professor of Forestry, Dr. Brian Perkins.

The grant will also provide scholarship funding for students who want to enter into a forestry program at Glenville State University.

For more information about the programs within the Department of Land Resources at Glenville State College, contact the Department of Land Resources at LandResources@glenville.edu or (304) 462-6370.

Share this story:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

Rose Marie Champ

Rose Marie Champ, 89, a retired machine operator and member of Bethany Baptist Church, died at her home, leaving behind a large family including children, grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.

Upshur County Commission Agenda: July 17, 2025

The Upshur County Commission will meet on July 17, 2025, to address items listed on their published agenda.

Post 7 comes up short in tournament opener in 5-2 loss to Morgantown

Buckhannon Post 7 outhit top-seeded Morgantown but committed four costly errors and fell 5-2 in the opening round of the Area 2 American Legion postseason baseball tournament.

Summer basketball league continues week three play

In week three of the Upshur County Summer Basketball League, area teams competed at West Virginia Wesleyan College, with standout performances including Austin Upton’s 37 points for Corder Concrete Specialist and Kaiden Cutlip’s 34 for WV Split Rail.

Nancy Lea Lantz

Nancy Lea Lantz, 74, of Philippi, passed away July 13, 2025, and is remembered as a devoted homemaker, church member, and camper, survived by her children, relatives, friends, and her dog Tiny.

Buckhannon awards $50,000 in opioid settlement funds to Wesleyan for addiction counseling scholarships

City council approved allocating $50,000 in opioid settlement funds to West Virginia Wesleyan College for scholarships to support local addiction counseling education, aiming to combat drug addiction in the Buckhannon area.

Faith Baptist Church to host Vacation Bible School from July 21-25

Faith Baptist Church will host a Vacation Bible School for kindergarten through sixth grade children July 21-25, featuring nightly sessions from 6 to 8 p.m. and a family fun night on the final evening.
Summer basketball

Summer basketball league tips off week three

The Upshur County Summer Basketball League completed its third week at West Virginia Wesleyan College, with standout performances from Evan Parr, Josh Trent, Quentin Cooley, Rayden Triplett, and several games decided by forfeits.

Small Business Development Center names Lyla Grandstaff as new coach serving the Buckhannon area

The West Virginia Small Business Development Center has appointed Lyla Grandstaff, an experienced business consultant and educator, as the new business coach serving Buckhannon and surrounding counties.