WV BusinessLink Newsletter for April 5, 2024

a service of the WV Small Business Development Center

a division of the WV Dept. of Economic Development

April 5, 2024 | Volume 3, Issue 29

Think WV BusinessLink First

Hi there,

Me again, Mark Burdette from WV BusinessLink. Hope you had a great week so far because the weekend is here! Just a quick note that there won't be a weekly newsletter next week since we all will be at Bridging Innovation. Speaking of Bridging Innovation, it is completely sold out and at capacity. Way to go Huntington! Don't worry, you will be to livestream the keynotes at the following YouTube channel. Also, you can check out and register for the Tuesday Night Meet-Ups as an opportunity to participate in Bridging Innovation Week. Be sure to follow all of the social channels to stay up to date. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone there. Now, let's get to 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

Big news for West Virginia's ongoing quest to be a top startup state...I know the suspense is killing you. Almost there! Keep on scrolling. I promise you won't be disappointed. Just a little bit more...Hint: big news for West Virginia under "Featured Articles".
Invest Appalachia launches new and improved website
AI and Innovation: A Question of Quantity vs. Quality
GRANT OPPORTUNITY: Backing Small Business Grant presented by Main Street American and American Express Open Now until April 7
NEW JOB POSTING: Preston County Economic Development Authority (PCEDA) is seeking an Assistant Director. Position is open until April 21, 2024. Apply Now!
Appalachian Sustainable Products Network is a new collaborative effort to promote green building in Upper Appalachia. Read More
20 years of Gmail but where's it headed next?
State tax rates on long-term capital gains updated for 2024
DEADLINE MONDAY: Join the upcoming SEED SPOT Impact Accelerator. Deadline is coming up on Monday, April 8th at 11:59PM EST. Register Now | Watch Pitch
Education Alliance announces EDTALKS on May 1, 2024 from 11:30am-1:00pm in Huntington. Register Now
2024 WV Bioscience Summit set for May 29 in Huntington, WV.
HHOMA seeks vendors and performers for annual Juneteenth Celebration on Saturday, June 15
HOT OF THE PRESS: Crowdfunding cheat sheet by Crowdfund Better is a great one-pager that helps to demystify the different crowdfunding options for small business.
Black By God website innovates with new audio-read feature.
The WV Hive and The Hub are teaming up for the Free Business Opportunity series for Fayette County. Learn More | Register
The 16th annual Lewisburg Chocolate Festival will be held this weekend, Saturday, April 6, 2024. Learn More
Friends vs. Family: Who to Raise Funds From?
Life After Prison: Why Returning Citizens Become Entrepreneurs
Become a 2024 Accelerate WV Community. Apply by April 15.

Thanks for reading. Onward and Upward!

Mark

Mark Burdette, EDP

Program Coordinator

WV BusinessLink

Direct: 304-352-4156

Quick Links

You might want to hold onto those Reese's Eggs. Cocoa prices set new record above $10,000 per metric ton on April 1, 2024.

FEATURED BLOG ARTICLES

West Virginia #2 Best State To Start A Business

West Virginia is a great potential location for entrepreneurs to consider opening their next enterprises. The Mountain State, along with Texas, nabbed the top two spots in the Fit Small Business ranking of Best States to Start a Business.

SBA Offers Economic Assistance to Mid-Atlantic Small Businesses Affected by the Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapse

SBA Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman announced that Mid-Atlantic small businesses affected by the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse on March 26, 2024 may apply for low-interest, long-term Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

Secretary of State Mac Warner Reports 1,317 New WV Business Registrations for March of 2024

The WV Secretary of State’s Office registered 1,317 new businesses statewide during the month of March according to Secretary of State Mac Warner.

Wayne County led the state in the percentage of new business growth with a total of 30 new business registrations, a 2.62% increase. The Secretary of State’s Business Division reported that Calhoun, Boone, Morgan and Lewis County also experienced notable growth during the month.

RESOURCE PARTNER SPOTLIGHT

SparkWV is an innovative idea and small business generation competition for middle and high school students in West Virginia. The competition consists of three competitive rounds. Students are invited to apply as individuals or as a team with up to four members. SparkWV includes two tracks: BIG IDEAS: You have an idea for a product or invention that solves a problem, but you don’t necessarily have the physical resources or expertise to make it. Examples: Apps, inventions, etc. SMALL BUSINESS: You have a business idea that viable and could be started in your local community or a hobby/skill that you could sell. Examples: Homemade jewelry, local coffee shop, etc. For more information click on website link above.

EVENTS

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

To submit your events on WV BusinessLink click here

Kauffman Fast Trac

Advantage Valley

March 21 - April 4, 2024

Thursdays 5:30-8:00pm

Montgomery City Hall

2024 Spring Minority Business Expo

Herbert Henderson Office of Minority Affairs

April 4, 2024

10am-2pm

Ranson Civic Center in Ranson, WV

Livestream the total eclipse

April 8, 2024

Business Basics

Unlimited Future

April 9, 2024

6:00pm EST

Huntington, WV

Grantsmanship, Formatting and Readability Tips for SBIR/STTR Proposals

TechConnect and WV SBDC

April 17, 2024 at 12:00pm

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

EDTALKS

Education Alliance

May 1, 2024

11:30am-1:00pm

Huntington, WV

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 107: 9 Minutes of Wisdom with MLB Executive Chad Bolen

LISTEN NOW

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

LISTEN NOW

Featured Episode: Tiffany Crum, Supportive Counselor at WVU Medicine Thomas Hospital

LISTEN NOW

Featured Episode: Brian McCommon with Mountain Ridge Realty

LISTEN NOW

Episode Two: What's Cooking?

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
8th Annual Minority Business Expo - April 4, 2024 - Ranson, WV
AACC Annual Conference - April 5-9, 2024
Livestream the total eclipse on April 8, 2024
Bridging Innovation Week - April 8-11, 2024 - Huntington, WV
InBIA's 38th International Conference on Business Incubation (ICBI38) - April 14-17, 2024
Tax Day - April 15, 2024
Spring 2024 Pitch Southern WV Competition - April 23, 2024 5:30pm to 8:00pm
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
SBIR/STTR Spring Innovation Conference - June 17-18, 2024 National Harbor, MD

STATE RESOURCES

Export resources for small business

SUBSCRIBE NOW

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.