CHAMBER NEWS

We have met with this amazing group of 23 local leaders once a month for the past ten months. We have seen them learn new skills, grow personally and professionally, build relationships with each other, and gain valuable insights into our region's diverse sectors. During their time, the class got the opportunity to hear from over 100 speakers and had 38 unique experiences through various tours and activities!

To wrap up their time together, the class engaged in a group painting project led by artist Barb Benton from Coalfield Development Corporation at Guyan Golf and Country Club.

During the graduation ceremony, we heard from Lisa Chamberlin Stump, System Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer at Marshall Health Network; Alys Smith, Co-Founder of the Wing 2 Wing Foundation, First Lady of Marshall University, and Founder of the Women Warriors Summit; and class representative Matt James, Marshall University Vice President of Alumni Relations.

We thank each of our classmates for their time and dedication to this inaugural year's program and are excited to see how they will continue to serve our community!

In this episode, we sit down with Matt Walker and Jeff Stevens, two of the three owners and founders of Village Caregiving, a West Virginia-based company specializing in non-medical home care. Starting in Barboursville, Village Caregiving has expanded to 18 states, with plans to reach 20 soon. The company is currently constructing a new corporate headquarters in Barboursville, playing a significant role in the village's transformation.

We discuss the origins of Village Caregiving, the strategies behind their impressive expansion, and their vision for the future of Barboursville. Additionally, we explore their exciting new venture — Bruno's Spotted Hare — a restaurant set to open soon in the heart of Barboursville.

Thank you to Kindred Communications and our presenting sponsor Moses AutoMall of Huntington!

Listen on Apple, Spotify, and Amazon!

The Huntington Regional Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with The Huntington National Bank, has launched the Small Business Scholarships Program, designed to support the growth and development of local businesses in the region. This new initiative aims to empower small businesses by providing valuable resources and networking opportunities through Chamber membership.

The Small Business Scholarships Program is specifically tailored for businesses located in Cabell or Wayne County who are not current Chamber members, have been operating for less than five years, and employ 10 or fewer employees. Recognizing the challenges faced by emerging businesses, Huntington Bank and the Chamber will award scholarships to 10 businesses. Each scholarship will cover the cost of a one-year Signature Membership with the Huntington Regional Chamber of Commerce. Membership includes access to networking events, educational workshops, and marketing opportunities, all designed to enhance business visibility and community engagement.

Eligible businesses are encouraged to apply for the scholarship by visiting huntingtonchamber.org/small-business-scholarships/. The application requires details about the business operations, challenges faced, and the benefits they hope to achieve from the membership.  Applications will be reviewed by the Chamber Board of Directors Executive Committee as they are received. 

For more information, please reach out to the Chamber at chamber@huntingtonchamber.org or 304-525-5131.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Join us for an exciting collaborative networking event featuring Up Next Charlie West, Putnam CREW, Huntington Young Professionals, and Counsel Connections members. Meet-Up 64 is the premier networking series along the I-64 corridor for young professionals!

This event is FREE and open to all professionals in West Virginia. Don't miss this fantastic opportunity to connect, collaborate, and expand your professional network.

We are thrilled to announce Jonathan Board, the first-ever Executive Director of the West Virginia First Foundation and Toney Stroud, Marshall University Chief Legal Officer and Vice President of Strategic Initiatives and Corporate Relations as our featured guests. 

Celebrate West Virginia Day at June's Business After Hours hosted by The Wild Ramp on Thursday, June 20 from 5-7 p.m.! The Wild Ramp, a year-round indoor market, supports local farmers and artisans, offering fresh produce, unique crafts, and specialty foods. Network with fellow professionals, enjoy delicious local food, and celebrate our state's rich heritage. Don't miss this opportunity to connect and explore the best of what our community has to offer!

Formerly known as the Annual Trade Show, the Business After Hours Expo is a themed event where members can showcase their products and services to the community and network in an evening of fun, food, and drinks. With an expo-style set-up, businesses decorate their booths in accordance to theme. More information coming soon!

MEMBER NEWS

Looking to get into a more agile and cloud ready hardware infrastructure? Join Alpha Technologies for a Universal Hardware talk with Extreme Networks Senior Software Engineer, Keith Wolfe, where he will showcase Extreme’s cutting-edge technology. This exclusive invitation is a must-attend for anyone looking to enhance their network technologies and get into a robust platform of future-ready hardware. Looking to get away from a Cisco infrastructure and the licensing requirements? Join us to learn how.

Marshall Advanced Manufacturing Center (MAMC) career skills students earned nearly 150 degrees and certifications during the spring term that ended in May. Students were recognized for their individual achievements May 1 during a luncheon sponsored by Special Metals of Huntington.

MAMC partners with Mountwest Community and Technical College to offer programs in Machinist Technology/CNC, and Welding Technology in Huntington and – new this fall – SMART* (enhanced industrial maintenance technology) in Huntington and Point Pleasant. In addition, MAMC will expand its machinist program to South Charleston beginning in August in partnership with BridgeValley Community and Technical College*.

Students can earn industry credentials, a one-year certificate degree and a two-year associate of applied science degree in their chosen fields.

The Huntington Children’s Museum proudly announces the appointment of Raine Klover as its inaugural Executive Director. With a rich background in non-profit management and a dedication to community service, Klover brings a wealth of experience and a passion for building a stronger, more resilient Huntington.



Klover holds a Master of Public Administration from Marshall University and boasts over a decade of experience in the non-profit sector. Her previous roles include Assistant Manager at the Wild Ramp, Red Caboose Store Manager at the Huntington Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, and most recently, Director of Guest Services at the Huntington Museum of Art.

In her new role, Klover will lead the Huntington Children’s Museum in its mission to promote exploration and a love for learning through play. She will be responsible for guiding the strategic direction of the museum, working closely with the board, staff, and volunteers to develop engaging exhibits, programs, and community collaborations.

The Huntington Children’s Museum is set to open to the public in mid-July in its newly renovated building at 1700 Washington Avenue, Huntington.

Get ready for an exhilarating adventure on the Guyandotte River! This season, join us for a thrilling float trip from Barboursville to the majestic confluence with the Ohio River, finishing at Schooner’s Waterfront Grille. Whether you’re a seasoned paddler or a first-timer, this journey promises breathtaking views, serene waters, and a perfect blend of excitement and relaxation.

*Starting Point: Launch your adventure in Barboursville, at Farmdale Bridge.

*The Route: Immerse yourself in the beauty of West Virginia as you navigate through the tranquil waters.

*Final Stop: Conclude your journey at Schooner’s Waterfront Grille, where delicious meals and refreshing drinks await. Participants will enjoy the boater discount with their Guyandotte River Regatta t-shirt.

This float is not just a trip but a journey through the heart of nature, providing perfect photo ops and peaceful moments. Make sure to reserve your spot early and prepare for an unforgettable river experience. Let the waters guide you to an incredible season ahead!

The 2D Game Summer Jam will be held June 26 through June 29 for kids in 6th through 8th grade, including rising 5th and 8th graders. The camp is designed to give students an in-depth, hands-on experience in game programming, character development, and level design using industry standard tools and software. This immersive learning experience combines creativity and technology to spark imagination and enhance programming skills. 

The camp will run Monday through Thursday with sessions beginning at 8:30 a.m. and concluding at 3:30 p.m. The cost of the camp is $120 per student. Advanced registration is required, and space is limited to 20 campers. Course materials will be provided. 

The summer camp registration form is available on the Mountwest website at www.mctc.edu.

Camp topics include:

• 2D Game Design: Build out a completely working mobile style game that will run on Android, Windows and even Xbox platforms. This will touch on Animation of characters and sprites, backgrounds and parallax scrolling, high score and saving, input and how to manage different builds from one build of the project, working with shaders to apply lighting and 3D effects on 2D sprites and surfaces, UI and interface design and much more.

Registration is open until Friday, June 23. Lunch is not provided; participants are encouraged to bring a bagged lunch and a bottle of water each day. Activities will include computer lab sessions, so students should wear layers as room temperatures and may vary. For more information, contact Gary Brafford at brafford3@mctc.edu.

The Tri-State Coal Cats, the newest entry in the 10-team Appalachian League, started their inaugural season last week at Marshall's Jack Cook Field! The Coal Cats are partnered with Marshall Athletics and the team is owned by Marshall and Kindred Communications. 

The Appalachian League's season follows the conclusion of the college season, with rosters comprised of players being developed for possible inclusion on the USA Baseball Collegiate National team and other national squads. The Coal Cats are managed by Tommy Gregg, an outfielder and first baseman who played in the Major Leagues for parts of nine seasons. Salomón Torres, a veteran of 12 Major League seasons, serves as pitching coach.

Jim Brickman has become synonymous with the holiday season. Fans eagerly anticipate his annual tour, which has become a cherished tradition for families and friends alike. Through his captivating performances, Jim Brickman will create a magical atmosphere in the Theater on December 19, that will bring people together and celebrate the true spirit of Christmas.  

"Comfort & Joy" is a testament to Brickman's ability to connect with audiences on a deep and emotional level. His heartfelt compositions and soulful piano melodies have touched the lives of millions around the world. Through his music, Brickman invites listeners to embrace the joy and warmth of the holiday season, reminding us of the importance of love, togetherness, and gratitude.

UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS

The Monday Morning Memo is Generously Sponsored by

Thank You to Our Trustee Members

Thank You to Our Investor Members

Please note that the deadline for submissions for "In the News" in the Monday Morning Memo is at 

4 p.m. each Wednesday for inclusion the following week. Submitted items will only appear one time in the memo unless discussed and agreed upon with Chamber staff.

Email all submissions to Rebecca Kasey, Director of Marketing, at rebecca@huntingtonchamber.org.

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