OPTIONS DISCUSSED — Molly Updegrove, deputy program director for Re-Imagine Appalachia, discussed federal funds available for the development of clean energy-based businesses at an informational meeting Saturday organized by Ohio Valley Environmental Advocates. -- Warren Scott

WEIRTON — Leaders of Ohio Valley Environmental Advocates said the local, grassroots group wants to get the public answers about planned industrial development while raising awareness of possibilities for the development of clean energy-based businesses.

The group brought together representatives of several related organizations to share information Saturday at Blue Stream Farms, a nonprofit organization that grows vegetables hydroponically.

Following the presentations, Frank Rocchio, the group’s president, said its goal is to gather information about the impact of any new industry that may enter the region.

Rocchio said a 30-day public comment period often comes long after a business has applied for state or federal environmental permits and that gives little time for affected residents to learn more about the proposed opening of an industry near them.

“The point of Ohio Valley Environmental Advocates is to be that source of information,” he said, adding the group would like to see a meeting of industry officials and community members to discuss relevant issues.

“We want to be open to any type of development coming in. We simply want to be able to ask questions,” Rocchio said, adding a discussion between residents and the businesses should also include objective third-party experts.

Speakers at Saturday’s program included representatives of other groups who have been working to bring businesses specializing in alternative fuel services into their areas.

Molly Updegrove, deputy program director for ReImagine Appalachia, said the group is comprised of more than 100 organizations and more than 100 elected officials in West Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Kentucky who are focused on drawing such businesses that can bring good paying jobs and tax dollars directly to the communities where they open.

Updegrove said its hope is that former coal and steel facilities can be repurposed for the production of electric vehicles or alternatives to single-use plastic products.

She added the expansion of high-speed internet to unserved areas also is an objective.

Updegrove said through the Inflation Reduction Act, the federal government is offering billions of dollars in grants and loans as incentives to businesses to pursue such goals.

Updegrove said the organization was spurred by the establishment of ReImagine Beaver County, which was represented Saturday by its executive director, Joanne Martin.

Martin said the Pennsylvania group arose from concerns about hydraulic fracturing but determined if it were to warn against one industry, it should offer an alternative.

“We have a goal of rewriting the economic path for Beaver County,” she said.

Martin said the group identified four possible areas of growth: Energy innovation, involving hydroelectric and solar power; sustainable agriculture, including farming techniques such as hydroponics and aquaponics that extend growing seasons; riverfront development, including creation of a recreational trail and restoration of a local creek to attract tourists; and green energy.

Martin said the group has chosen to focus on the latter, which would involve an eco-industrial park where materials such as biodegradable packaging, used by Ikea and others, may be produced.

The plan also suggests a trail and recreational riverfront use.

Martin said the group’s goal is “to mobilize green technology development that balances economical, health and social benefits.”

During the program, Nick Messenger, a researcher with the Ohio River Valley Institute, said often officials will point to potential jobs when a new development is announced but it’s not always clear how they arrived at those projections or how many of the jobs will be filled locally.

Martin said when a new development is proposed, community members should ask, “How are the people in the local community going to benefit from these jobs and how is the money going to stay in the community?”

Attendees also heard from representatives of Fair Shake Legal Services, a nonprofit law firm that represents individuals or groups negatively affected by environmental issues.

Rocchio said residents interested in learning more about Ohio Valley Environmental Advocates’ efforts to inform the public may visit its Facebook page or e-mail him at contact@oveadvocates.org.