Brad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative
The Smith OEDC is a WVU Office of the Provost initiative that advances West Virginia's outdoor economy through talent attraction (Ascend WV, First Ascent, Teachers Ascend), entrepreneurship support (Vantage Ventures Boost), and community infrastructure services, serving communities, residents, and outdoor businesses statewide via embedded regional coordinators.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersMorgantown, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Brad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative does
The Brad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative (Smith OEDC) is a non-profit economic development initiative housed under West Virginia University's Office of the Provost, headquartered in Morgantown, WV, with approximately 20 staff distributed across six regional coordinator roles statewide. The organization works to counter West Virginia's population loss by helping communities leverage outdoor recreation assets for economic development, organized around three pillars: community and infrastructure development, talent attraction and retention, and grants/research/education. Its product portfolio spans talent programs (Ascend WV for remote workers, First Ascent WV for recent graduates, Teachers Ascend for educators), entrepreneurship support (Vantage Ventures Boost in partnership with the WVU John Chambers College of Business and Economics), and community capacity services (Trail Training and Education, Outdoor Infrastructure Development, Outdoor Business Development, Grants and Research, the WV Outdoor Economy Webinar Series), with the Outdoor Business and Industry Association and an Outdoor Non-Profit Resource Hub in development. There is no proprietary technology platform; the operating stack is built on commodity SaaS including Airtable intake forms, HubSpot newsletter capture, and YouTube-hosted webinar recordings.
The revenue model is primarily grant-funded through the WVU land-grant infrastructure, supplemented by fee-based workshops (most priced at $65 per participant, half-day sessions at $40, Wilderness First Aid/CPR at $160) and free webinars. A 100% discount for West Virginia residents under the Montani Semper Liberi program renders workshop fees immaterial relative to the grant base. The go-to-market is community-led and event-driven: regional coordinators embedded in specific geographies (Greenbrier Valley, Eastern Panhandle, Charleston, Greater Elkins, Morgantown, New River Gorge) provide direct engagement, while trail training workshops and the WV Outdoor Economy Webinar Series serve as top-of-funnel demand and community engagement vehicles. Customers are distributed across persona segments (remote workers, recent graduates, educators, outdoor entrepreneurs) and geography/use-case segments (WV communities, nonprofits, local governments), with no disclosed anchor accounts on the demand side and no disclosed funder concentration on the supply side.
Brad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Brad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative
- Legal name
- Brad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative
- Website
- https://oedc.wvu.edu
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The Smith OEDC is a WVU Office of the Provost initiative that advances West Virginia's outdoor economy through talent attraction (Ascend WV, First Ascent, Teachers Ascend), entrepreneurship support (Vantage Ventures Boost), and community infrastructure services, serving communities, residents, and outdoor businesses statewide via embedded regional coordinators.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Brad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Community Economic Development Services
- NAICS
- Educational Support Services (611710)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Environmental Education, Capacity Building & Community Engagement (BPADALAO)
Keywords
Where Brad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Morgantown
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Brad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Government and Foundation Grants: As a WVU land-grant initiative, the organization primarily advances its mission through external funding from government agencies, foundations, and public funding programs. Grants and research support are core to advancing community projects.
- Trail Training Workshop Fees: Fee-based workshops and training programs including Intro to Trail Building ($65 per participant), Trail Assessment & Maintenance, Water Trails Workshop, ACT Workshop, Rock Armor Workshop ($65 full day / $40 half day), Intro to Rigging, and Wilderness First Aid/CPR ($160). WV residents receive a 100% discount via Montani Semper Liberi.
- Webinar Series and Events: Free webinar series for community leaders, outdoor businesses, and nonprofit partners. Revenue is not the primary driver; these events serve as community engagement and education tools supporting the broader mission.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Intro to Trail Building - single-day workshop for beginners, volunteers, and professionals |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Rock Armor Workshop - full-day or half-day rock stabilization and erosion control training |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Wilderness First Aid/CPR - hands-on certification course for outdoor emergencies |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Learn and Build - volunteer workday to build skills and move community trail projects forward |
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | WV Outdoor Economy Webinar Series - practitioner and expert sessions for community leaders and outdoor businesses |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels7 records
Marketing channels8 records
Brad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Smith OEDC helps West Virginia communities, businesses, and organizations grow their economies by leveraging outdoor recreation assets. It delivers a portfolio of programs spanning talent attraction and retention (Ascend WV for remote workers, First Ascent WV for recent graduates, Teachers Ascend for educators), entrepreneurship support (Vantage Ventures Boost), hands-on Trail Training workshops, and technical assistance for outdoor infrastructure development, outdoor business development, and grants/research. All offerings are delivered through West Virginia University's institutional infrastructure and regional coordinators embedded in communities across the state.
Product overview
The Brad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative operates as a multi-program initiative under West Virginia University that offers a portfolio of interconnected programs focused on outdoor economic development. The core offerings include talent attraction and retention programs (Ascend WV for remote workers, First Ascent WV for graduates, Teachers Ascend for educators), entrepreneurship support (Vantage Ventures Accelerator), and community infrastructure development services (Trail Training & Education, Outdoor Infrastructure Development, Outdoor Business Development, Grants & Research). The collaborative also provides educational programming through the WV Outdoor Economy Webinar Series and is developing an Outdoor Business and Industry Association. All programs work together to help West Virginia communities leverage outdoor assets for economic growth and quality of life improvement.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Ascend WV Remote worker attraction program that invites professionals to relocate to West Virginia, offering community connection, outdoor access, and local networks to help participants put down roots. Participants apply through ascendwv.com and are supported by regional experience coordinators.
- First Ascent WV Talent retention program connecting West Virginia graduates to career opportunities, mentorship, and community through job placement and professional development. Participants engage through firstascentwv.com and the First Ascent Career Specialist network.
- Teachers Ascend Two-year educator support program addressing teacher shortages by connecting participants with mentorship, professional development, and community, delivered in partnership with the WV Public Education Collaborative.
- Vantage Ventures Boost Accelerator Entrepreneur support program providing mentorship, resources, and targeted support for founders building and growing businesses in West Virginia, delivered in partnership with the John Chambers College of Business and Economics at WVU.
- Trail Training & Education Hands-on trail building skills training program offering workshops including Intro to Trail Building ($65), Trail Assessment & Maintenance, Water Trails Workshop, ACT Workshop, Rock Armor Workshop ($65 full day / $40 half day), Intro to Rigging, Wilderness First Aid/CPR ($160), and Learn and Build free volunteer workdays. WV residents receive 100% discount via Montani Semper Liberi on most workshops.
- Outdoor Infrastructure Development Technical assistance service helping communities plan and develop outdoor infrastructure including trails, access points, and public spaces, delivered through guidance, resources, and direct project support. Intake via the Airtable Request Assistance form.
- Outdoor Business Development Business support service helping outdoor businesses start, grow, and adapt through resources, networks, and strategies for outfitters, gear makers, hospitality, tourism, and other outdoor-related entrepreneurs. Includes the launch of the Outdoor Business Alliance. Intake via the Airtable Request Assistance form.
- Grants & Research Research, data, and funding support service providing funding opportunities, research, and practical guidance to help communities and partners move outdoor economic development ideas forward. Intake via the Airtable Request Assistance form.
- WV Outdoor Economy Webinar Series Free educational webinar series featuring community leaders, business owners, and national organizations sharing insights on outdoor economy development, trail projects, and community-led initiatives. Sessions include short presentations followed by open Q&A, with recordings available on YouTube.
Quantifiable outcome
- Nearly 2,000 acres of forest, streams, cliffs, and wildlife habitat permanently protected along the New River Gorge through Arc of Appalachia campaign — enabled by Beckley Outdoor Economic Action Plan community planning supported by the OEDC.
Companies that use Brad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles6 records
Brad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
Brad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core, significant and supporting.
- Arc of AppalachiamajorArc of Appalachia led a campaign to protect nearly 2,000 acres along the New River Gorge, with success enabled by the Beckley Outdoor Economic Action Plan — a community-driven strategy developed with support from the Smith OEDC. The Arc of Appalachia is a key conservation partner advancing the OEDC's mission in the New River Gorge region.
- West Virginia University (Office of the Provost)coreThe Smith OEDC is an initiative of WVU's Office of the Provost, leveraging the university's land-grant mission, research capabilities, academic programs, and community outreach infrastructure to advance outdoor economic development statewide. WVU provides institutional backing, administrative infrastructure, and academic credibility.
- WV Public Education CollaborativecorePartners with the Smith OEDC on the Teachers Ascend program, which supports educator recruitment, mentorship, and retention in West Virginia communities facing teacher shortages. The partnership leverages the collaborative's outdoor economy programs with the education-focused expertise of the WV Public Education Collaborative.
- John Chambers College of Business and Economics (WVU)corePartners with the Smith OEDC on the Vantage Ventures Accelerator, connecting outdoor entrepreneurs and small business owners to WVU business school expertise, mentorship, and resources to help them launch and grow businesses in West Virginia.
- Beckley (City/Community)majorThe city of Beckley developed the Beckley Outdoor Economic Action Plan with support from the Smith OEDC, identifying priority conservation and recreation landscapes. This community planning laid the groundwork for rapid action on the Piney Creek/Nearby New River Gorge property protection opportunity.
- International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA)significantRich Edwards, the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Coordinator, previously spent 21 years at IMBA as Trail Solutions Director of Community Engagement and Education. He also founded and serves on the board of the Morgantown Area Mountain Bike Alliance (MAMBA), the local IMBA chapter.
- Morgantown Area Mountain Bike Alliance (MAMBA)significantJesse Cecil, Grants and Research Coordinator, is a founding member and Secretary of MAMBA — the local IMBA chapter in Morgantown. The organization supports mountain biking trail development and community stewardship in the Morgantown area.
- U.S. Army Corps of EngineerssupportingCote Womack, New River Gorge Coordinator, previously served as a Park Ranger (Natural Resource Specialist) with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Summerville, Sutton, and Burnsville Lakes. The Corps manages outdoor recreation infrastructure at multiple WV lakes relevant to the OEDC's regional programming.
- West Virginia Land TrustsignificantJesse Cecil spent seven years as Operations Manager for the West Virginia Land Trust, a statewide conservation nonprofit. He led recreation development and key partnerships as Project Lead for the Piney Creek Preserve in Beckley and Co-Lead for the Mammoth Preserve in Kanawha County.
- Piney Creek Watershed AssociationsignificantCorey Lilly, Outdoor Community Development Manager, previously served as Executive Director of the Piney Creek Watershed Association in the New River Gorge area. This partnership connects community development work with watershed conservation and outdoor recreation planning.
- Glenville State UniversitysupportingCote Womack is a graduate of Glenville State University with a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resource Management, bringing expertise developed through his academic background in natural resources to his role as New River Gorge Coordinator.
- Salisbury UniversitysupportingCallie Isenberg holds a B.S. in Chemistry from Salisbury University; her academic background supports her work in talent retention and workforce development across West Virginia communities.
- Ascend WV Program PartnerscoreThe Ascend WV program connects remote workers with WV communities through a network of regional experience coordinators, local businesses, and community organizations. Partners include local governments, real estate organizations, and community groups in the Greenbrier Valley, Eastern Panhandle, Charleston, Elkins, Morgantown, and New River Gorge regions.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Brad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- Appalachian Regional Commission: Federal-state economic development partnership serving Appalachian communities including West Virginia. Provides grant funding and strategic planning that often complements Smith OEDC's regional community development work in the Appalachian footprint.
Others
- Rails-to-Trails Conservancy: National nonprofit dedicated to converting rail corridors into multi-use trails. Overlaps with Smith OEDC's Trail Training & Education and Outdoor Infrastructure Development programs, particularly for trail-building capacity and community planning.
- Trust for Public Land: National nonprofit that protects land for public use, including conservation outcomes near New River Gorge. Comparable to the conservation partnerships (Arc of Appalachia, WV Land Trust) that Smith OEDC facilitates in West Virginia.
- Headwaters Economics: Independent research organization focused on economic development in rural Western communities. Provides research, data, and policy analysis on outdoor recreation economy effects that are highly relevant to Smith OEDC's research and grants function.
Direct peers
- Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation: State government office focused on growing Utah's outdoor recreation industry and economy. Comparable in scope to Smith OEDC's outdoor economic development mandate, providing business and community support across a single state.
- Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economic Collaborative (VOREC): Statewide collaborative — hosted at the Vermont Outdoor Business Alliance — that coordinates outdoor recreation economic development across business, talent, and infrastructure. Similar to Smith OEDC in mission and multi-stakeholder model, though operating in a structurally different state.
- Colorado Office of Outdoor Recreation Industry: State-level office dedicated to growing the outdoor recreation economy through business support, talent attraction, and infrastructure development. Most directly comparable to the Smith OEDC's multi-pillar program model, though operated as a state agency rather than a university initiative.
- Montana Office of Outdoor Recreation: State agency charged with growing Montana's outdoor recreation economy through business development, infrastructure, and partnerships. Comparable in mandate to Smith OEDC's statewide outdoor economy scope.
Broad incumbents
- Outdoor Recreation Roundtable: National coalition of outdoor recreation trade associations and businesses advocating for the outdoor recreation economy. Provides federal-level coordination analogous to Smith OEDC's state-level convening role across outdoor stakeholders.
- Outdoor Industry Association: National trade association representing the outdoor recreation industry across all U.S. states. Provides analogous industry-association services to what the emerging OBIA aims to deliver at the state level for West Virginia.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Brad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative social profiles
Digital presenceBrad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Brad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles20 records
Brad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
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Brad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
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Frequently asked questions about Brad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative
What does Brad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative do?
The Smith OEDC helps West Virginia communities, businesses, and organizations grow their economies by leveraging outdoor recreation assets. It delivers a portfolio of programs spanning talent attraction and retention (Ascend WV for remote workers, First Ascent WV for recent graduates, Teachers Ascend for educators), entrepreneurship support (Vantage Ventures Boost), hands-on Trail Training workshops, and technical assistance for outdoor infrastructure development, outdoor business development, and grants/research. All offerings are delivered through West Virginia University's institutional infrastructure and regional coordinators embedded in communities across the state.
Is Brad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative a public or private company?
Brad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Brad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative founded?
Brad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative was founded in -1. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Brad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative based?
Brad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative is headquartered in Morgantown, United States, in the North America region.
How does Brad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Government and Foundation Grants are the primary driver. The others are trail Training Workshop Fees and webinar Series and Events.
Who are Brad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative's main competitors?
Appalachian Regional Commission is listed as a regional player. Others are Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, Trust for Public Land and Headwaters Economics. Direct peers are Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation, Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economic Collaborative (VOREC), Colorado Office of Outdoor Recreation Industry and Montana Office of Outdoor Recreation. Broad incumbents are Outdoor Recreation Roundtable and Outdoor Industry Association.
Does Brad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative have an API?
No public API is recorded for Brad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative.
What industry is Brad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative in?
Brad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative's product category is Community Economic Development Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPADALAO, Environmental Education, Capacity Building & Community Engagement. Its NAICS code is 611710 and its SIC code is 8200.