Rebuilding a Town’s Future with Dave Knight

In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast, I talk with Dave Knight about how he and a small group of residents in Clendenin saved their old 1912 school building from being lost. They partnered with several organizations to transform it into apartments, offices, and a clinic. The first renovation in 2011 cost $5 million, and the latest one totaled $7.5 million. Now the building has ten apartments, eight business suites, and medical offices, all within walking distance of downtown. Dave explains that most apartments are already rented, with a mix of income-restricted and open units. He says it’s emotional to see the project completed after years of work and cooperation with local leaders like Mayor Kay Summers. Since the 2016 flood, the town has brought in more than $30 million in economic development, and Dave says it shows what can happen when a small community comes together to rebuild and take pride in its future.