Building A Vibrant Community

BAVC

Building a Vibrant Community (BAVC) is a Micro Chamber initiative of the Elkins-Randolph County Chamber focused on turning ideas into action that strengthen and grow our community.

Inspired by the work of author Quint Studer and his book Building a Vibrant Community, this initiative brings together local leaders, residents, and organizations who are passionate about making Elkins-Randolph County an even better place to live, work, and visit.

This is not just a discussion group—this is a working group committed to progress.

Our Vision

An Elkins full of life, activities, great appearance, strong educational values, thriving businesses, and a growing population. We believe: We “get to” live in Elkins-Randolph County.

Our Mission & Approach

We facilitate action—not just conversation.
We collaborate with everyone.
We promote, encourage, and celebrate progress.
We move ideas forward, seeking approval when needed—and sometimes forgiveness when necessary.

Leadership

Building a Vibrant Community is led by Mark Doak, whose leadership brings vision, momentum, and a results-driven approach to each meeting.

When & Where We Meet

Location: The Common Door (inside TipTop), Downtown Elkins
Time: 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
When: First Tuesday of each month

The meeting is open to the public, and all are welcome to attend. Bring your ideas and be part of the momentum.

How It Started

The Elkins-Randolph County Chamber has hosted Quint Studer in Elkins-Randolph County twice, bringing national insight on community transformation directly to our region.

His message is simple: strong communities don’t happen by accident—they happen through intentional action. Building a Vibrant Community was created to carry that momentum forward locally.

Get the Book

We have a limited number of free copies of Building a Vibrant Community, courtesy of MegaCorp Logistics.

To inquire about a copy, please email executivedirector@erccc.com.

What We Do

Each month, Building a Vibrant Community brings together individuals and organizations to identify opportunities, support local initiatives, and move ideas into real, visible outcomes.

Discussions often include downtown activation, First Fridays, tourism, business development, beautification efforts, arts and culture, and community events.

Stay Involved

Whether you are a business owner, artist, volunteer, or resident, you have a place in Building a Vibrant Community.

Attend a meeting, share an idea, support a project, and be part of building something bigger for Elkins-Randolph County.

Meeting Recaps & Updates

Monthly meetings include updates on ongoing projects, community events, and new ideas. Recaps are shared regularly to keep the community informed and engaged.

Featured Project: Wilson Street Bridge Transformation

One of the first completed Building a Vibrant Community projects was the transformation of the Wilson Street Bridge in Elkins.

What was once covered in graffiti is now a vibrant and welcoming piece of public art thanks to the collaboration of local volunteers, artists, and community members.

Artists: Wihelmina Rose McWhorter and Haylie Young
Project Support and Prep Work: Desire Watson Kniffen, Coy Watson, Katie Rhodes, Sophia Rhodes, and Ed Shifflett

This project is a true example of what this group stands for—seeing a need, bringing people together, and taking action to create meaningful impact.

Featured Project: Downtown Holiday Wreath Initiative

Building a Vibrant Community continues to support projects that enhance the beauty and experience of Downtown Elkins—especially during the holiday season.

Each year, the Elkins-Randolph County Chamber of Commerce leads the installation of wreaths throughout downtown Elkins. This effort requires significant time, coordination, and preparation to ensure the display is both festive and safe for the community.

A special thank you to Kathy Vance, owner of Kathy’s Decorating & Design, who dedicates her time to fluffing the wreaths with volunteers, checking lights, and preparing each one for installation. Her attention to detail plays a key role in making downtown Elkins shine during the holidays.

The Chamber also partners with Asplundh Tree Services for the installation and removal of the wreaths. This process is no small task, and we are incredibly grateful for the employees who volunteer their personal time to assist in making our community more vibrant.

To ensure the wreaths can be safely and securely displayed each year, Building a Vibrant Community recognized a need and took action. For the 2026 holiday season, BAVC has funded the creation of new, durable steel hooks, fabricated by a local company, to support the annual installation.

This project is another example of the BAVC mission in action—identifying a need, bringing partners together, and making meaningful improvements that enhance our community for all.

Thank you, Building a Vibrant Community, and all who contribute to making Elkins-Randolph County a place we are proud to call home.

Featured Project: Downtown Window Art Installation

Building a Vibrant Community is built on one simple idea—bring ideas to the table and take action.

This downtown window art installation is a perfect example of that mission in motion.

The concept was brought forward through a BAVC meeting and quickly moved from idea to execution. The project features original artwork by local artist Wihelmina Rose McWhorter, whose work also helped transform the Wilson Street Bridge. Her paintings will soon be installed in the "Moose Building's" windows, adding color, creativity, and vibrancy throughout Elkins.

We are currently awaiting preparation of the windows for installation and cannot wait to see this vibrant addition come to life.

This initiative is being led by Desire Kniffen Watson of Beander’s, who continues to be a driving force behind many Building a Vibrant Community efforts. Desire has dedicated countless volunteer hours and an incredible amount of effort to turning ideas into real, visible improvements throughout our community. Her leadership and passion are a true example of what BAVC is all about.

This project reflects the heart of Building a Vibrant Community—ideas don’t sit on paper, they become action.