WV BusinessLink Newsletter for April 25, 2024

a service of the WV Small Business Development Center

a division of the WV Dept. of Economic Development

April 25, 2024 | Volume 3, Issue 31

Think WV BusinessLink First

Hi there,

Me again, Mark Burdette from WV BusinessLink. Trusting that everyone has recovered from Bridging Innovation. Another shoutout to all who contributed in pulling off this year's event. Everyone did a fantastic job and made us all West Virginia proud! Now, let's get into your weekly dose of business news and things you need to know across the great state of West Virginia. Here we go!

SCAN, CLICK, and READ

U.S. Research Impact Alliance Corp. announced as a Stage 1 winner in SBA's 2024 Growth Accelerator Fund Competition representing the state of West Virginia in the sustainability and biotechnology theme area.
COMING SOON: Eastern Panhandle Entrepreneurs Forum meets on May 2, 2024 at 5:30pm in Martinsburg, WV
Congratulations to the Newest Entrepreneurship Development Professionals (EDPs)!
Vee Brooks, EDP, business case manager, Financial Services Inc., Irving, TX
Daniel Buckenmeyer, CEcD, EDP, Director of Economic Development, Southwest Michigan First
Christina Mortel, EDP, Small Business Advisor, Texas Women's University Center for Women Entrepreneurs
Jolene Schalper, CEcD, EDP, Senior Vice President, Great Falls (Mont.) Development Authority
Patricia Simonton, EDP, (incoming) Executive Director of Innovation and Entrepeneurship, Howard Co. Md. Economic Development Authority
Rita Carina Veleta, EDP, Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Coordinator, New Mexico Economic Development Department
Joseph W. Williams, Jr., MBA, EDP, Managing Director, The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven (CT) Mission Investments Company
To learn more about the IEDC's Entrepreneurship Development Professional (EDP) certification program click here
Interested in becoming an EDP? Click here
NEW: UC Downtown Innovation Hub currently seeking applications for its next cohort of small businesses. Apply Now!
As small businesses in West Virginia struggle to get off the ground, some entrepreneurs seek new funding sources.
Independent start-ups can find success in West Virginia.
Chop House, Tidewater Grill close at Town Center Mall.
THIS WEEKEND: WV Food Truck and Music Festival this Saturday, April 27 at Eleanor Park and Fairgrounds in Eleanor, WV.
Environmental incentives generate savings for individuals and businesses, but West Virginia lags behind.
Mama's Meat Sauce: Ronnie Marie Tartt's Family Recipe with 'a Reputation'.
Can Intrapreneurship Help Close the Racial Wealth Gap?
CTA EVENT: Navigating the Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting Requirement with FinCEN, May 2, 2024 at 2:00PM ET - Register Now
Rural Development partners with local organization to support high-speed internet deployment in rural West Virginia communities.
Huntington housing survey shows gaps in home ownership as new businesses move in.
"The End User is a Dollar Sign, It's Not a Child": How Private Equity and Shareholders are Reshaping American Child Care
CONGRATS: Pitch Southern West Virginia Business Idea Competition winners announced
Charleston Sternwheel Regatta Commission announces 2024 entertainment lineup
West Virginia Hive hosting 'Coffee Talks' session on Tuesday, April 30, in Princeton
Essentials of SBIR/STTR Commercialization Planning on May 15, 2024 at 12:00pm | Register Now

Thanks for reading. Onward and Upward!

Mark

Mark Burdette, EDP

Program Coordinator

WV BusinessLink

Direct: 304-352-4156

Quick Links

FEATURED BLOG ARTICLES

Navigating the Future: 2024 Trends in Small Business

The landscape for small businesses and startups is constantly evolving, with new challenges and opportunities emerging at a rapid pace. As we look toward 2024, understanding and adapting to these changes will be key to success. Whether you’re launching a startup or have an established small business, staying ahead of these trends can help you navigate the future with confidence. Let’s dive into the trends that are shaping the small business environment in 2024…

Sew it begins: How Reid Miller hopes to bring back the textile industry in WV

By Stephen Baldwin, RealWV | Reid Miller has a vision: Women buying custom-fit garments sewn right here in West Virginia, using fabric and dyes grown here in West Virginia, creating good-paying jobs up and down the supply chain right here in West Virginia.

RESOURCE PARTNER SPOTLIGHT

EMPOWERING ARTISTS ACROSS WEST VIRGINIA

We help to grow West Virginia’s creative economy by providing essential programs that equip Mountain State artists and creative entrepreneurs with the skills necessary to succeed and thrive in the place they call home.

MISSION

To nurture a vibrant and prosperous arts community, foster artistic excellence, and bring people together for powerful shared experiences that inspire a creative exchange of ideas.

VISION

A West Virginia where artists prosper from their creative practice and make meaningful contributions to the well-being of our communities.

PURPOSE

We seek to create a culture and sense of place that values creativity of all expressions and sustains artists and communities.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

LEARN MORE AND APPLY

EVENTS

To view the full calendar of events on WV BusinessLink click here

To submit your events on WV BusinessLink click here

One USDA Beginning Farming and Ranching Webinar Series for Transitioning Service Members, Veterans, and Military Spouses

USDA

April 23, April 30, May 7, May 14, and May 21, 2024 from 1:00pm - 3:00pm

Spring 2024 Pitch Southern WV Competition

WV Hive & WVU Tech Launch Lab

April 23, 2024 5:30pm to 8:00pm

Stay tuned for more info

Food and Beverage Producers

Advantage Valley

April 24th from 5:30-7:30pm

Valley Park Conference Center

Coffee Talks

WV Hive

April 30, 2024 from 9:30am to 11:00am

Wild Roots Coffeehouse

Princeton, WV

EDTALKS

Education Alliance

May 1, 2024

11:30am-1:00pm

Huntington, WV

Essentials of SBIR/STTR Commercialization Planning

TechConnect and WV SBDC

May 15, 2024 at 12:00pm to 1:00pm

2024 National AANHPI Business Summit

Minority Business Development Agency

May 15, 2024 from 1:00-6:00pm

SBIR Road Tour

TechConnect, MAMC, WV SBDC

May 17, 2024 at 11:00AM

Huntington, WV

2024 WV Bioscience Summit

Bioscience Association of WV

May 29, 2024 at 9:00am-2:00pm

Huntington, WV

PODCASTS

Episode 108: TOPGUN Pilot Guy Snodgrass Shares Vital Wisdom

LISTEN NOW

Featured Episode: Saran Nurse: Thriving as an Entrepreneur in Urban America

LISTEN NOW

Featured Episode: Kate Boytek

LISTEN NOW

Featured Episode: James Yoder: Auctioneer/Realtor

LISTEN NOW

Episode Four: Well Educated

LISTEN NOW

Episode 30: The Future of the World Economy with Ajay Banga of the World Bank.

LISTEN NOW

Elsewhere Alpha is a weekly podcast that explores ways to attract private capital outside of the major hubs like NY, CA, and MA in places like WV.

LISTEN NOW

Your window into wonderful #WestVirginia, sharing news and #opportunities from #AlmostHeaven #YesWV.

LISTEN NOW

The daily304’s Innovators and Entrepreneurs helps you stay connected with the people who shape West Virginia.

LISTEN NOW

The daily304’s What Makes You Wonderful podcast uncovers the wonders that make West Virginia truly extraordinary.

LISTEN NOW

Have a podcast for entrepreneurs and small businesses in the Mountain State and would like to be listed on WV BusinessLink? Contact our Program Coordinator, Mark Burdette, at mark.d.burdette@wv.gov for more information.

DATES TO REMEMBER

April is National Volunteer Month
National Small Business Week - April 28 - May 4, 2024
SBA Awards WV District - May 1, 2024 - Fairmont, WV
SBA SBIR/STTR Road Tour - May 17, 2024 - Huntington, WV
WV Bioscience Summit - May 29, 2024 - Huntington, WV
SBIR/STTR Spring Innovation Conference - June 17-18, 2024 National Harbor, MD
ARC Annual Conference: Advancing Appalachia - September 4-5, 2024 - Chattanooga, TN

STATE RESOURCES

Export resources for small business

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Apply now for the Governor's Export Awards. Complete and submit your application by Wednesday, May 15, 2024. If you have any questions, contact Caitlin Ashley-Lizarraga by calling 304-352-3997 or send her an email caitlin.lizarraga@wv.gov.

SUBMIT APPLICATION

ECOSYSTEM JOB BOARDS

NEW JOB POSTING: Partner Community Capital is seeking an Energy Program Manager to join their growing team. Here is the link to the position and how candidates can apply.

NEW JOB POSTING: The WV Hub is hiring for a program coordinator to manage programs and activities related

NEW JOB POSTING: Generation West Virginia is seeking a Marketing and Communications Manager. The Marketing and Communications Manager will plan, coordinate, and execute the organization’s marketing strategies, communications, and public relations activities. This position requires the ability to keep the big picture in focus, tying all marketing activity back to organizational goals. Learn more about the Marketing and Communications Manager role with Generation West Virginia here.

NEW JOB POSTING: New River Gorge Regional Development Authority (NRGRDA) is seeking a VISTA to help build capacity and help accelerate development within the New River Gorge Region. Apply for the NRGRDA Regional Communications Coordinator VISTA position here.