CHAMBER NEWS

Thank you to our 70+ amazing members for supporting our mission of advancing local business growth and community connections!

Special thanks to our event sponsors, OVP Health, CJ Hughes, State Electric Supply Co., Bullseye Total Media, Sandy's Racing & Gaming, Signarama, Pilot Club of Huntington, Huntington Junior College, Ascent Audiology & Hearing - Huntington, and Ronald McDonald House Charities of Huntington!

Don’t miss out on the fun—get your tickets for just $15 for members or $25 for nonmembers and at the door. Make new connections with local businesses, and enjoy delicious food, drinks, and awesome giveaways!

In this episode of In Your Business, host Reeves Kirtner welcomes Toney Stroud, Chief Legal Officer and Vice President for Strategic Initiatives and Corporate Relations at Marshall University. Together, they dive into the transformative developments happening in Huntington, West Virginia, focusing on the Innovation District and the Brad D. Smith Center for Business and Innovation.

Toney shares insights into the vision behind the Innovation District and what it means to create a mixed-use district that fosters creativity, innovation, and community engagement. They discuss the role of the Institute for Cyber Security, highlight confirmed businesses in the district, and explore the impact of Marshall University and local legislators in attracting new opportunities to the region.

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

As a member, you have access to submit your job openings on our website! Simply login to your Info Hub account and add them for free! If you don’t have a Info Hub login, please contact Josie McCoy, Director of Membership, for assistance. This is a great opportunity to connect with local talent and enhance your recruitment efforts!

UPCOMING EVENTS

Thank you to all who registered for WIN's September event with Jill Rice, of Disnmore & Shohl! Keep an eye out for future events!

Thanks to Dinsmore & Shohl for sponsoring this event and Lost Art of Culinary for catering!

MEMBER NEWS

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced that federal Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) are available in West Virginia for small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private nonprofit organizations with economic losses due to drought that began on Aug. 13. 

The declaration includes the primary counties of Calhoun, Gilmer, Jackson, Kanawha, Mason, Putnam, Roane, and Wirt and the adjacent counties of Boone, Braxton, Cabell, Clay, Doddridge, Fayette, Lewis, Lincoln, Nicholas, Raleigh, Ritchie, and Wood in West Virginia; Gallia and Meigs in Ohio. 

Under this declaration, the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to eligible farm-related and nonfarm-related entities that suffered financial losses as a direct result of this disaster. Apart from aquaculture enterprises, SBA cannot provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, and ranchers. Nurseries are eligible to apply for economic injury disaster loans for losses caused by drought conditions. 

The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates of 4% for small businesses and 3.25% for private nonprofit organizations, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due, until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition. Eligibility is based on the size of the applicant, type of activity and its financial resources. These working capital loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills that could have been paid had the disaster not occurred. The loans are not intended to replace lost sales or profits. 

For information and to apply online visit SBA.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call the SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services. 

Submit completed loan applications to SBA no later than April 21, 2025. 

We helped celebrate Planet Fitness Barboursville’s 10-year business anniversary last week with cake (it’s all about balance, right?), confetti, and a special birthday song led by Lee Dean, field rep for WV Secretary of State Mac Warner. Special thanks to LEVEL Entertainment for providing audio during the event!

Planet Fitness Barboursville is located at 800 Mall Road, Unit 975, in Barboursville. Learn more about memberships and benefits at www.planetfitness.com

If you’re a Chamber member, you can get a special PF membership discount! Contact Josie McCoy, Director of Membership, for details!

7 Brew began with a vision to revolutionize the drive-thru coffee experience into something exciting and unforgettable. Originating in Rogers, AR, with its first stand and 7 signature coffee blends, 7 Brew has since expanded across the country. More than just a coffee stop, 7 Brew is dedicated to spreading joy and kindness with every cup. Their custom-crafted drinks, rapid service, and lively atmosphere are transforming the drive-thru coffee industry, making each visit a delightful experience.

7 Brew Huntington will be located at 2124 5th Avenue in Huntington!

Marshall University has created a program to help “Jobs for West Virginia Graduates” students in seven counties that eliminates the traditional application process, providing a seamless and stress-free transition for students pursuing a four-year degree.

The counties are McDowell, Logan, Boone, Kanawha, Clay, Jackson and Lewis.

Marshall University President Brad D. Smith made the announcement during the 88^th Annual West Virginia Chamber of Commerce Business Summit at The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, saying the program will help reduce barriers to education and builds on the Marshall For All, Marshall Forever initiative.

"Jobs For West Virginia Graduates" (JWVG) is a program under the West Virginia Chamber Foundation that assists middle and high school students with barriers to their success.

The initiative is modeled after a similar one Marshall has with Cabell and Wayne counties. 

The Huntington Museum of Art has named Elizabeth “Liz” Simmons as its new Executive Director beginning Sept. 16, 2024, according to Shelia Brownfield, President of HMA's Board of Trustees. Simmons will come to the Huntington Museum of Art from the Clay Center for the Arts & Sciences in Charleston, W.Va.

As Curator of Art & Engagement at the Clay Center for the Arts & Sciences since 2021, Simmons has been in charge of exhibits and programming for the Juliet Art Museum and Susan Runyan Maier Sculpture Garden. Her accomplishments leading the Juliet Art Museum include planning seven exhibitions a year and overseeing the publication of the exhibition catalog titled “Ellie Schaul: Reimagining the Familiar.” More than 20 new works were added to the Juliet’s permanent collection under her direction, which included working with the Vice President of Development to cultivate donors and organize the organization’s art affinity group.

Simmons follows Geoffrey K. Fleming as HMA Executive Director. Fleming served in the position from July 2015 until December 2023. Margaret Mary Layne, a former Executive Director of HMA, has been serving as HMA’s Interim Executive Director since December 2023 and will remain in that position until Simmons begins her duties.

Join RenewAll, Cabell County Public Library, and The Wild Ramp for a Mystic evening here in Central City full of authentic, professional speakers, energy healers, select magical vendors, workshops, children’s activities, local food, and a special showing of “Practical Magic” at dusk! Get into the spooky spirit by joining this free, public event! A suggested donation of $5 is appreciated and will benefit future events in Central City.

In conjunction with RenewAll Inc., The Wild Ramp will offer seasonal children’s activities, games, and late-night shopping. The West Huntington Library will assist with the showing of “Practical Magic (1998)” at the Gazebo at dusk. 

Stay tuned for more event details, including vendors, speakers, and workshop listings, by visiting our website or Facebook page.

Time & Location: 4:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. | Central City Gazebo, Huntington, WV

Since their formation in 2003, A Day To Remember quietly emerged as arguably the biggest underground band in the world. The Florida group affirmed this status by achieving one platinum album, two gold albums, one platinum single, and four gold singles. Not to mention, each full-length record ascended to #1 on the Billboard Rock, Indie, and/or Alternative Charts with 2016’s Bad Vibrations bowing at #2 on the Billboard 200. They’ve put up unprecedented numbers for a rock act in the 21^st century, generating nearly 2 billion streams worldwide and sales of three million-plus units. They’ve also packed arenas on continental tours and attracted a global audience consisting of millions.

A Day To Remember is: Jeremy McKinnon (vocals), Alex Shelnutt (drums), Kevin Skaff (guitar, vocals), and Neil Westfall (guitar, vocals). 

UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS

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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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