Community Development
Keep it
Local
Community Development Events
Downtown
Housing Initiative
Parking Garage
Planter Program
City Center Business Improvement District
Keep It Local Directory
The Charleston Area Alliance and other local partners created #KeepItLocalKV to revitalize and rebuild the Kanawha Valley through a community-based campaign that encourages residents, businesses, and organizations, both large and small, to support and do business with other local and regional businesses.
Consider the local businesses or check out our list of Alliance members the next time you’re in need of professional service, going out to eat, or looking to pick up a gift!
The initiative is made possible by the Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation.
Community Development Events
Downtown Open
June 1-23, 2024
Each summer, Downtown Charleston turns the sidewalks into a pop-up putt-putt course. The 2024 Downtown Open is sponsored by West Virginia American Water.
The temporary course, set up along the sidewalks of downtown Charleston features more than 20 holes – which have each been sponsored and customized by a local business or organization. Putters and balls for the Downtown Open are available in select downtown businesses.
Holiday Window Display Contest
November 29 – December 17, 2024
This friendly holiday competition encourages businesses all over Charleston to decorate their storefronts during the holiday shopping season. A panel of judges will select a city-wide Best In Show and participating businesses will compete within their districts for the People’s Choice Award for: Downtown, East End, Kanawha City, South Hills/Bridge Road, West Side.
Registration opens 10/1/24 for businesses who want to participate in the 2024 Holiday Window Display Contest.
While you Shop Small during the holiday season, you can vote for People’s Choice by the QR code posted in the storefront windows of participating businesses.
Downtown Housing Initiative
Downtown housing is essential to vibrant, successful communities, and attracting and retaining talent and residents of all ages. The Charleston Area Alliance partnered with Bowen National Research to conduct a housing study for downtown Charleston, West Virginia.
Charleston in Bloom
Charleston In Bloom is a beautification project in downtown Charleston. The project was launched in 2020 and now includes the installation of 50 hanging flower boxes on the Dickinson Street and Summers Street parking garages in Downtown Charleston.
Beautification projects like Charleston In Bloom and others not only provide “good looks” for Charleston’s downtown but increase community engagement, tourism and visitors, and is a conduit for attracting businesses and talent to our city.
Special thank you to our funders and partners: Kanawha Garden Club, CRC Foundation, Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation, City of Charleston, Ben Franklin Career and Technical School and Bernard H and Blanche E Jacobson Foundation.
Beautification projects like Charleston’s Parking Planter Program and others not only provide “good looks” for Charleston’s downtown but increase community engagement, tourism and visitors, and is a conduit for attracting businesses and talent to our city.
Connect with Our Community Development Team
Our community development team works diligently to increase our natural and built assets through sustainable and smart growth initiatives.
