The Power of a Story
The construction crews continued to whir around The 1982 Foundation properties as former West Virginia first lady Gayle Manchin, now federal co-chair of the Appalachian Regional Commission, and House Speaker Roger Hanshaw, got a briefing from Crystal Mersh, Foundation President on what is happening at the site of the former Calhoun High School, as well as throughout Calhoun County and the seven County region involved in the project.
As Crystal sat beside her husband and project partner Robin Mersh, the story that television movies are made of rolled off her tongue. She’s told it a thousand times, but it’s never any less exciting for those lucky enough to be involved, nor is it any less exciting for her and the passion most always leads to tears by her and others as she shares how much this project means personally, why it does and why it should to Government leaders. This could be a model for other areas of Appalachia.
The unbelievable amount of work that has gotten accomplished in a few short years has stunned those who have watched other projects, in much larger areas, take nearly a decade to get off the ground. The complexity is obvious, but the simplicity of Crystal Mersh’s approach is what makes those around her want to do more. Hard work and commitment gets things done.
The Power of Politics
Crystal described her return to Calhoun County to the twenty or so people attending including officials from the USDA, representatives from Senators Manchin and Capito’s office, and a few local officials who appreciate her work. She told of how the apathetic attitudes she experienced upon her return to the County she grew up in didn’t make sense. That was until she realized the people were not apathetic, they’d lost hope. In 2021, she and classmate, friend and business associate Teresa Overton, now Vice President of Community Outreach for the foundation returned home and let no grass grow under their feet as The 1982 Foundation became the talk of the town, and not without attacks, criticism, and attempts by community leaders who were on the brink of losing their 40 year control.
As a worldwide businesswoman, Crystal Mersh has been a force to be reckoned with. She has traveled and done business with leaders far greater than those she’s facing in Calhoun. She has the ear of officials in Charleston and Washington, DC, but even that hasn’t made it easy. She runs five separate companies: Quality Executive Partners, Vertuosi, American Medicines Company, The 1982 Foundation and Panty Claus. She employs numerous people and is working on bringing 500 much needed jobs to the State in the Pharmaceutical industry and possibly restoring Americans ability to get critical prescriptions currently produced out of the country. Prescriptions for victims of heart disease, diabetics and other chronic diseases that America currently is in a 30 day supply chain that could lead to countless deaths if imports stop.
That is the back story that leads to yesterdays visit by Gayle Manchin and a discussion with others at her table who have the power to move a few mountains out of Crystal’s way.
The Power of a Community
Crystal described her efforts by saying that “Fixing the building is the easy part, fixing the community is the hard part.” As a champion of underdogs, The 1982 Foundation is focused on what it was that brought Calhoun County down so low economically. In that process they didn’t look at only local politics and business but more so at the people effected by the decision makers. The hardworking families in Calhoun and surrounding areas that even on the slim chance they found viable employment, might possibly not be able to work because daycare wasn’t available for their children. There is currently only two daycare facilities in a seven county region. So when the ground breaking is done on the Daycare and Headstart Facility as the foundation property opens, it too will likely be filled to the brim.
“We’re climbing a ladder to rebuild this seven county region one block at a time,” she continued. “The steps on the ladder are school, health care, government, and quality of life.” Her investments have not only been in the physical structures; Quality Executive Partners have provided five Calhoun students full ride scholarships totaling over $300,000. The 1982 Foundation and their partners are the poster children for what could be the renaissance of Appalachia. Crystal said of herself and others, “You never get over being from West Virginia.”
The seven counties of focus are Calhoun, Clay, Braxton, Roane, Gilmer, Ritchie and Wirt Counties. Each with their own economic struggles. The significantly distressed areas have placed most of those counties on the State Distressed list long term, for Calhoun over 40 years of bearing that burden. But The 1982 Foundation mission is to help groups such as “Bootstraps,” (founded by Foundation) pilot new and established businesses, community organizations and private citizens to change the forecast.
While it doesn’t look like an economic ploy, a recent mention of lamp posts by Crystal sent a viral wave throughout Calhoun Supporters. Within seven days, the mere mention of lighting up the streets of Grantsville, netted $64,000 in pledged donations. Even though the logistics have yet to be determined, the power of community near and far has proven once again the passion people have for shining the light on what’s happening in Calhoun County.
The Community is coming to life as Grantsville City Council and residents have jumped on board and have reconstructed their city park that had been allowed to deteriorate terribly. But now, with multiple donations and City staff support the Grantsville Recreational Park is hosting Pickleball games, family picnics in a new shelter and has the promise of new park equipment in the the future. Mayor Robert Petrovsky attended to share his enthusiasm in what he sees happening in town.
The Power of a Dream
The first year of The 1982 Foundation, Crystal and their team opened the halls of the Calhoun County High School to area vendors for a Christmas show. Over fifty venders showed up for one of the highest attended and well received events. Thousands of dollars were made by multiple vendors and businesses were born. Evident yesterday as two local Pastry makers goods were on the desert table for sampling by those attending. That of Sandy Church and Faith Filled Donuts of Arnoldsburg.
The 82 Foundation has made dreams like that even more of a reality with the business incubation portion of the plan. The 47,000 square foot facility will house the dreams of toddlers to tycoons.
- Children’s learning center
- K-12 Old Skool
- Commercial & Teaching Kitchens
- Long Term rental housing
- Air BnB
- Event space
- Restaurant/Cafe
- Fitness Center
- Cooperatives Retail/Office
- Agriculture Center
- Recovery Space
- Recreational Facilities
House Speaker and Calhoun Representative Delegate Roger Hanshaw validated the dream stating, ”I’ve been in every County, and what’s easy to overlook, is the extent of community cooperation that is not found elsewhere. Buy in is an expectation by funders. This should be the easiest project to get on board, because their community involvement is better than I have ever witnessed. They’ve done it in a way that is extraordinary. I wish my own community was as invested as Calhoun is. The county has a tremendous amount to be proud of.”
Speaking of the investment; the greatest share of investment has been made by Crystal Mersh herself. Investing Millions of her own funding, she and Robin Mersh believe in this project. The $380,000 donated by the Community also proves their belief in the Project. But the investment didn’t come without concerns, especially in the light of the local officials failing to come on board and using their powers to stall any efforts possible. Crystal has taken strong stands in the community to give citizens a voice.
When The 1982 Foundation discovered the availability of tax credits, and that through those they could fund 40% of the project, they quickly moved forward to receive credits for both historical and new market. With the expectation of receiving federal funding and the discovery that this round of funding was not approved, the issue of using future grants now becomes one of timing, being that the project must be completed at the end of 2024. Following their tax credit experience, Crystal introduced Minnie Hamilton Health Systems to their tax credit experts which presents an opportunity for $5 million for that project…..highlighting the power of a community building the rungs of the ladder.
It was the hopes of all interested parties attending the meeting with Gayle Manchin, House Speaker Roger Hanshaw, The offices of Joe Manchin and Shelley Moore Capito as well as USDA funding staff, that the attention of the day would serve to bring funding agencies to the table and put the 1982 Foundation on the National Map of Successful methods of building Community Support, repurposing physical structures and increasing economical opportunities in an area that been all but abandoned.
