Region I Planning & Development Council

Region I Planning & Development Council is a U.S. local government planning commission registered in SAM.gov since 2008, serving six counties in West Virginia, including McDowell, Mercer, Monroe, Raleigh, Summers, and Wyoming. Located in Princeton, WV, the organization functions as an inter-municipal planning entity focused on regional economic development, community infrastructure, and strategic planning initiatives. As a key regional development organization, it works to support economic growth, community resilience, and infrastructure improvements across the Appalachian region through comprehensive strategic planning and targeted grant-funded projects.

The organization has received multiple federal grant awards from agencies such as the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), Economic Development Administration (EDA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Rural Business Cooperative Services. These grants have supported a diverse range of projects including comprehensive economic development strategy (CEDS) development, brownfield site assessments and cleanup planning, electric vehicle charging infrastructure feasibility studies, community infrastructure development, and COVID-19 recovery assistance. Notable grant awards include a $3,736,847 ARC Project Grant to develop economic strategies and local development district assistance programs, a $500,000 EPA Cooperative Agreement for brownfield site assessments in six counties, and a $150,000 EDA grant to conduct a comprehensive feasibility study for electric vehicle charging stations. The council has also engaged in sub-grant work, such as updating regional emergency management plans, demonstrating its versatility in addressing regional economic and infrastructure challenges.