Brandon Dennison on Economic Resilience

In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast, I talk with Brandon Dennison about his mission to reverse generational poverty in West Virginia through Coalfield Development, which he founded in 2010. Brandon explains how their focus on social enterprise combines a social mission with business efficiency, helping to diversify the economy of southern West Virginia. He acknowledges the region’s historical reliance on coal mining but emphasizes the importance of economic resilience. We discuss the loyalty and work ethic of West Virginians, which makes them attractive for manufacturing as companies look to bring jobs back to the area. As the vice president for economic workforce development at Marshall University, Brandon highlights the training offered in advanced manufacturing, preparing workers for future jobs in robotics and AI. He shares his vision for an inclusive economy where all people in West Virginia have the opportunity to realize their potential and contribute to a thriving community. It's an inspiring conversation about the future of our workforce and the importance of leaving no one behind.