Creating 84 Jobs in Charleston, West Virginia
The Kanawha County Public Library (KCPL) in Charleston, West Virginia, is undergoing a transformative $32 million renovation and expansion, breathing new life into its century-old downtown home. In 2020, the project received $12 million in New Markets Tax Credit funding, with Community Ventures contributing $7.5 million, and Chase Bank serving as the primary investor. This revitalization effort has created 84 full-time equivalent jobs and is poised to make the library a modern, vibrant community hub.
The renovation adds 20,000 square feet of new space and features a completely redesigned, open layout. The expansion includes an enlarged children’s floor, additional study rooms and meeting spaces, a new state-of-the-art technology center, and a covered walkway spanning Summers Street. These improvements are designed to better serve the needs of Charleston’s growing community, offering a more accessible, interactive, and engaging experience for visitors of all ages.
With this extensive project, the KCPL is not only preserving a historic institution but also ensuring that it remains a vital resource for education, innovation, and community connection for generations to come.
