Funded Research
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Appalachian Assessment of Natural Assets: Water
Researchers: Jinyang Deng (PI), Jim Anderson, Nicholas Zegre, Todd Petty, Division of Forestry; Randall W. Jackson (Co-PI), Regional Research Institute, Michael Strager and Sam Lamont, Division of Resource Management; Trevor Harris and Frank Lafone, Geology & Geography, West Virginia University
Start Date: October 1, 2009-September 30, 2010
External Funding: Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), $248,150
Project Summary: The objective of this project is to provide data, resources, tools and information that will enable policy makers to promote effective economic development. This development should be aligned with sustainable management and use of the natural asset base of the Appalachian Region. This requires developing and updating an inventory of natural assets; analyzing their value, ownership patterns, and usage; assessing their potential contribution to economic development of the region; and creating a framework to assist with planning their best use. The primary objectives of this project are to create-and integrate with existing system-an Appalachian Regional GIS-based data analysis and management system and methodological objectives to estimate the value of natural resources, evaluate project outcomes, and measure economic impacts of asset-based development.
ARC Planning and Financing Energy Efficient Infrastructure
Researchers: Hodjat Ghadimi and Randall W. Jackson, Regional Research Institute, West Virginia University; The Cadmus Group, Inc, and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech)
Start Date: October 1, 2009-September 30, 2010
External Funding: Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) $49,691
Project Summary:
This study will develop a practical framework to help the municipalities and counties covered by the Appalachian
Regional Commission (ARC) in assessing, planning, and financing energy-efficient infrastructure and facility
improvements. The framework will have as its foundation a summary of relevant data from research, cost-benefit
analyses of efficiency measures (and models for municipal use), and region-specific “best practices” (including costs
and jobs created), as well as holistic models of sustainable infrastructure and financing, customized for the region,
which relate energy and water management. Ultimately, the ARC municipalities and counties need energy efficiency
measures to be installed that will provide savings, contribute to public health, and create jobs, thus stimulating the
regional economy and enhancing the competitiveness of the Appalachian region within the nation.
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