Weathering the Storms of Change — A 2025 Community Update from Oddfellow Manor
Elkins is changing. So is the country. Here’s what that means for our home, our neighbors, and our vision for the Oddfellow Manor.
What’s shifting in D.C.—and why it matters here
Washington has always felt a little far away, but its decisions ripple into small towns like ours whether we’re ready or not. This year, preservation budgets were trimmed in the latest compromise bill. That might sound like a minor adjustment in a spreadsheet, but for a community trying to save a 1908 group home, it’s real. It means fewer dollars for restoration projects, more competition for the same pool of grants, and a greater need for us to show why Oddfellow Manor matters—not just as a building, but as a place of community, education, and history.
Energy is another piece of the puzzle. The federal government is pushing grid operators to plan 20 years ahead. That’s an important shift, especially as more people plug in EVs, data centers pop up, and communities push to power homes with renewable energy. But while the vision looks clear, the road is uneven. Solar panels are more expensive with tariffs reinstated. Transformers, the unsung heroes of our grid, are in short supply. These things trickle down: timelines stretch, budgets wobble, and small projects like our rooftop solar array have to plan carefully and patiently.
And then there’s healthcare. For many of my patients, the new Medicare cap of $2,000 a year on prescription costs is a lifeline. I’ve already had folks in clinic breathe easier knowing they won’t face bills that climb into the stratosphere. Telehealth continues for now, letting patients check in without the long drive. But if ACA subsidies expire at the end of 2025, that relief could vanish for some families. All of this shows how D.C. debates aren’t abstract—they land right in the exam room with us.
Sources: CRS Appropriations Report 2025; FERC Orders 1920/1920-A; Medicare & You 2025; Kaiser Family Foundation (ACA subsidies overview)
Renewable energy: the ups and downs
When you stand out at the Manor and feel the breeze along the pond, it’s easy to imagine a future where our power is clean, local, and steady. That future is closer than it used to be, but the path there feels like taking two steps forward and one step back. On the plus side, PJM—the regional grid operator—has finally started clearing its backlog of solar and storage projects. That’s not just a bureaucratic win; it means the energy mix in our region is becoming more realistic and resilient.
But challenges remain. Transformers, the gray metal boxes you rarely notice until they fail, are harder to get than ever. Solar panels, once flowing in from overseas at low cost, now face tariffs again, which adds pressure to budgets. For us, that means if we want to keep building toward renewable projects on the property, we have to design with options. We can’t assume one vendor, one supply chain, or one timeline will hold steady. Flexibility and patience will be our allies.
Sources: NERC 2025 Summer Reliability Assessment; DOE Transformer Efficiency Rule; PJM Interconnection Queue Update 2025
Preservation funding: tighter belts, smarter planning
Preservation has never been a fast process, but with fewer federal dollars in circulation, we need to think even more strategically. Programs like Save America’s Treasures are still there, but they’ve become even more competitive. For Oddfellow Manor, this means a few things. First, we have to prioritize safety—like asbestos remediation—before we can dream about restored woodwork or new community spaces. Second, we need to link our preservation goals with broader community needs. If the Manor can also be a site for job training, or a place that supports local health and education, then it’s more than history—it’s a solution worth funding. And finally, we have to stay organized. Having clean documents, clear scopes, and match pledges ready at a moment’s notice will make the difference.
Sources: National Park Service Historic Preservation Fund 2025; Save America’s Treasures grant guidelines
Healthcare in Elkins: more options coming
Drive out along Randolph Avenue and you’ll see the new big, beautiful building—the WVU/UHC Corridor facility that’s scheduled to open in September. At 38,000 square feet and $37 million in investment, it’s no small clinic. It will bring urgent care, family medicine, cardiology, imaging, labs, and more. For families in Elkins, it means choices: same‑day care, fewer long drives for specialists, and expanded after-hours options.
Meanwhile, Davis Medical Center—our long-standing hub—hasn’t slowed down. Now part of Vandalia Health, DMC has been adding new technologies and expanding services. From ER wait-time transparency to more specialty rotations, it’s trying to stay ahead in a competitive landscape. For patients, this is a win. For our community, it’s also a challenge: we need to think about how to house, feed, and welcome the nurses, techs, and doctors who will keep these facilities humming. Healthcare access is expanding, but so must the community that supports it.
Sources: WVU/UHC Corridor H Facility Press Release 2025; Vandalia Health Updates 2025
Elkins by the numbers
Numbers can sometimes feel dry, but they tell a story about where we’re heading. Right now, West Virginia’s unemployment rate is around 3.7%, and here in Randolph County it’s closer to 4.9%. That’s historically low for us, but beneath the surface the story is about change. Older residents are re-entering the workforce, while new industries are shifting the job mix. Skilled trades, healthcare, and education are in demand. If you’ve tried to find a contractor or book a specialty appointment lately, you know what I mean.
On cost of living, Elkins still looks affordable compared to the national average. A single adult needs about $18.46 an hour to cover basic expenses, while a family with two working adults and two kids needs closer to $23.19 per adult. Housing and transportation take the biggest bites. And housing? That’s the pressure point. The median sale price in Elkins is hovering around $244,000, with typical home values near $172,000 for what’s available. For first‑time buyers, the competition is fierce and the inventory is slim.
Schools round out the picture. Since 2022, Randolph County has made steady gains in reading and math, though middle school math remains a stubborn challenge. Progress is happening, but it takes time, resources, and community buy‑in. The good news is that more tutoring programs, stronger community partnerships, and a focus on teacher retention are starting to move the needle. We’re all hopeful that the Randolph County BOE can help drive positive change.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 2025; MIT Living Wage Calculator (Feb 2025 update); Zillow Housing Market Data 2025; Education Recovery Scorecard 2025
Oddfellow Manor updates
So where are we in all of this? Oddfellow Manor continues to push forward. We’ve officially secured nonprofit status, which gives us a foundation to raise funds and partner with others in meaningful ways. We’re still working toward the National Register of Historic Places, a long but important process that will help preserve the Manor’s story for generations to come.
The most pressing piece right now is asbestos remediation. Working with the Brownfields and the Greenbrier Environmental Group, we’re taking this on in careful phases. It isn’t glamorous, but it’s essential. Once the hazards are addressed, we can start looking ahead to stabilization and restoration with clearer eyes.
Beyond bricks and beams, we’re imagining how the Manor can serve Elkins today. Small event spaces, heritage interpretation, skills workshops, maybe even health‑adjacent programming that complements the town’s growing medical landscape—all of these ideas are on the table. The Manor was once a self‑sufficient home for many. Our hope is to honor that legacy by creating a place that teaches, heals, and connects once again.
Weathering the storms together
The storms of change—whether political, economic, or personal—can feel daunting. But we’re not powerless. Here’s how we see the path forward:
Plan for volatility. Always assume that prices, supply chains, or policies could shift. Build cushion into every plan.
Tie preservation to people. Every project should meet a human need—jobs, skills, health, or community. That’s how history stays alive.
Stay transparent. Share the journey so neighbors, donors, and trades can step in when and where it makes sense.
Oddfellow Manor is more than a building. It’s a living project. It’s a reminder that we can carry history forward not by sealing it in glass, but by using it to serve today’s needs. Remember that this project will never be rushed or forced. We will take our time and do this right. Thanks for walking with us as we weather these storms and build a future together.
If you’d like to dig deeper, check out the sources listed throughout this post. And if you want to volunteer, contribute, or help us match a grant, reach out—we’d love to have you on this journey.
