The McDowell County Action Network (McCAN) had its genesis in 1994 upon receiving $2.95 million in Social Service Block Grant funds with the designation as an Enterprise Community under the Empowerment Program. McCAN developed REBUILDING FOR THE NEXT GENERATION: A STRATEGIC PLAN FOR MCDOWELL COUNTY, to serve as a blueprint and a set of principles for McDowell County's economic and community development plans for the twenty-first century. These principles have guided both the vision that is propelling McDowell County and the strategies necessary to achieve that vision. The five principles that will continue to guide McDowell County's economic and community development initiatives are: (1) Promote the economic independence of families and individuals; (2) Create and strengthen a vital, viable and diverse economy (3) Ensure a desirable quality of life and a safe/healthy living environment; (4) Strengthen communities' and the county's capacity to build for the future; (5) Create a pro-family system of integrated services for children and families that enhances their ability to succeed and become self-sufficient.

Today, as a very active, vital and synergistic Enterprise Community Corporation, McCAN and its collaborators continue to implement this revitalization philosophy. This is accomplished through a decentralized community-based structure and process that provides innovative, practical and timely programs, products and services. These emphasize education, job creation and the development of problem solving skills for people and neighborhoods.

This private, non-profit corporation, whose fifteen member Community Resources Board is comprised of residents throughout McDowell County, has maintained its strong record of funding, and the provision of consultative services and advocacy. Since its inception, McCAN has leveraged in excess of $280 million in private and public funding.

McCAN's 2000 programmatic activities include but are not limited to the following: (1) Secured $1,295,300 from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development to construct an elderly housing community in the City of Gary; (2) Participated in the dedication of an $8.7 million wastewater treatment system that will serve 500 families in the City of War; (3) Joined with federal, state and local officials in the groundbreaking of the Coalfield Expressway—McDowell County’s first four-lane highway; (4) Participated in the groundbreaking of a $4 million water project in the City of Gary; (4) Assisted with the acquisition of a $75,000 Welfare-to-Work Pilot Transportation Program through the Bureau of Employment Programs; (5) Continued the expansion of affordable housing opportunities with the development of Starland Heights in the amount of $1.5 million; (6) Continued the expansion of the partners in Homeownership efforts by providing eight new opportunities in collaboration with Stop Abusive Family Environments; (7) Provided $300,000 in business start-up and expansion loans through USDA's Intermediary Lending Program; (8) Acquired $75,000 in Housing Preservation Grant funds to weatherize 32 homes; (9) Continued expansion of the School-to-Work Program funded by the U.S. Department of Labor in the amount of $368,302; (10) Collaborated with the McDowell County Board of Education to mplement a laptop program at Sandy River Middle School in the amount of $500,000; 911) Assisted in the expansion of the second annual McDowell County Fair; (12) Assisted the City of Welch in constructing a multi-screen cinema in the downtown area.

McCAN's decentralized structure enables each neighborhood in McDowell County to serve the unique needs of the citizens while creating/maintaining cohesive county-wide products/services. These contribute to the fulfillment of the ongoing mission. McCAN has the flexibility and strength to rise to any occasion, developing and expanding programs and advocacy efforts that maximize the contributions of business, government and the community.

McCAN’s multifaceted and growing list of partners continue in this year of the new millennium and every year to provide the requisite resources that translate into a better life for every resident of McDowell County. In its sixth year of service, the McDowell County Action Network, with its committed Board of Directors and dedicated, talented partners, has the strength, perseverance and vision to continue to meet the challenges of this and any new millennium.

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