This month marks an important moment in Elkins Community Network’s history as we celebrate our second anniversary.

While we started operating in early 2020, we did not receive our 501c3 status from the IRS until August 10, 2021. Our newsletter is now distributed to about 2,000 people between the e-newsletter, print version, and social media distribution. Our website also has a growing number of articles, about 70 businesses listed on the business directory, and we have a growing number of events on our community calendar.

We’ve now hosted three Elkins Holiday Expo events, which has become our signature event that kicks off the holiday shopping season. We also were key in establishing Elkfest, which is taking a year off this year with hopes that it will return in 2024 under new leadership.

In the last year, we’ve narrowed our focus to be more efficient and effective. We’ve worked to grow our board to include a wider range of expertise, developed more relationships with organizations and programs that can be an asset to the Elkins community, and laid the groundwork for some amazing programs that are still to come. Our programs will largely focus on improving quality of life, health, and education.

What’s coming in the third year of ECN? Our plans include launching an emergency children’s medical fund and an education assistance fund, reorganizing our website to provide better resources and articles, and furthering our relationships with local, regional, and statewide partners to benefit the Elkins community. We are excited to help promote the growing number of new programs and events that fellow community members and the city create.