a service of the WV Small Business Development Center | |
January 23, 2024 | Volume 3, Issue 21 | |
Think WV BusinessLink First | |
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Welcome to the January 23rd edition of the WV BusinessLink newsletter!
In this edition, you will hear from Crystal Good in our featured blog article, Grandma's Hands. A must read!
Have your capital-raising efforts been unsuccessful? Check out 10 Reasons Your Capital Raising is Failing featured in the latest Entrepreneur magazine. Thanks for the tip Marsa Myers!
Nominations are now open for the 2024 Guy Peduto Award. For complete details see below just beyond the fold.
The WV FBLA is now accepting applications for the position of Executive Director. To express interest click here to apply.
Our resource partner spotlight in this issue is Right To Start. Be sure to connect with Ariana Shives to learn more about how you can get engaged.
I would like to personally welcome Barbie Wood, the newest FASTER WV Business Coach on the Advantage Valley team!
Sponsorship opportunities are still available for Bridging Innovation. To learn more, contact Jennifer Wotring.
To view all the great events that our resource partners are currently offering entrepreneurs and small businesses throughout #YesWV view our Statewide Online Calendar.
We hope you enjoy the updated newsletter as we continue to tweak and incorporate your feedback to make it better than ever. Be sure to take a moment to look through it's entirety. The survey will close January 31, 2024. If you haven't taken the survey yet, I invite you to do so. It only takes less than 3 minutes.
Thanks for reading.
Onward and Upward!
Mark
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The family of the late Guy Peduto would like to honor his memory by annually recognizing a practitioner who has made great contributions to the development of businesses in West Virginia. Guy was a firm believer in the power of entrepreneurship to have transformative economic power for our state and spent countless hours working to help entrepreneurs build successful enterprises. After his untimely passing in the fall of 2021, his family wanted to honor his legacy by recognizing other professionals who provide support to entrepreneurs in our state. The honorees are to be chosen annually from the body of the professionals in this field in West Virginia. They will be chosen based on the impact their work has had on entrepreneurs, the broad entrepreneurship ecosystem and the economy of West Virginia. Additionally, a primary consideration is given to those professionals who place high value on partnership and leveraging the efforts of our system to help entrepreneurs.
Prior awardees include:
- Michele O’Connor, Director of INNOVA Commercialization, High Technology Foundation
- Marten Jenkins, President & CEO, Partner Community Capital
Nominations can be submitted via email to Michele O’Connor at moconnor@wvhtf.org.
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The survey will be active through January 31, 2024. | |
Grandma's Hands - Crystal Good with Black By God | West Virginia Grandmas are truly the hands that rock the cradle of so many of our nation's success stories: Meet Nancy Twine, CEO of Briogeo. West Virginia Grandmas are the hands that rock the cradle of many legends and national success stories. Lady Gaga’s Grandmother is from West Virginia, and rapper Big Sean, whose “One Man Can Change The World” song, gives credit to his West Virginia Grandma for not giving up. | | | |
10 Reasons Your Capital Raising Strategy Is Failing | Entrepreneur | Have your capital-raising efforts been unsuccessful? Here are a few key areas you need to focus on. | | | |
Charleston, WV Women and Minority-Owned Business Grant - Charleston Area Alliance | The goal of the Grant Program for Women and Minority-Owned Small Businesses is to help existing women and/or minority owned small businesses located within the city limits of Charleston to expand by increasing profitability. This will be achieved through mini-grants ranging from $2,500 to $5,000, and providing access to training and resources. Funding is provided by an American Rescue Plan Act grant from the City of Charleston, WV. There will be one round of grants distributed in 2023 and 2024. | | | |
Ruff day? Stop by The Dawg House in Ronceverte | By Stephen Baldwin, RealWV Brittany McCulley and Lee Carter love their dogs, each other, and hot dogs. For the past year, they've operated The Dawg House, | | | |
Morgantown City Council Approves Sales of Outdoor Alcoholic Beverages in Designated Areas to Boost Local Business | The Morgantown City Council in West Virginia has initially approved a new law. This law would let businesses in downtown Morgantown and the Wharf District sell alcoholic drinks in specific outdoor areas. These areas are known as private outdoor designated areas (PODAs). | | | |
Gore's Auto Body closes after 50 good years in business | By Stephen Baldwin, RealWV Fifty years ago, Mike Gore wasn't happy. He was 21 years old and tried college at West Virginia University and Concord College. | | | |
The SBA Says 5.5 Million New Business Applications Filed in 2023 | The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced a record-breaking surge in new business applications, totaling 16 million under the Biden-Harris Administration. This | | | |
The Adventure Guild Game Shop receives WVCAP funding | CHARLESTON, WV - The West Virginia Capital Access Program (WVCAP) approved a loan of $17,125 for The Adventure Guild Game Shop, a tabletop game store in Tucker County. Located in a currently vacant building on Front Street that formerly housed the Miner's and Merchant's Bank, the business will offer a unique gaming and educational opportunity [...] | | | |
As WV lawmakers focus on economic deals, top economist points to workforce needs | State officials point to investments by Nucor and LG in West Virginia as signs that they are turning the economy around. But a top economist says the state needs to do more to improve its labor force participation rate. | | | |
Inaugural Chamber event drew crowd despite inclement weather | ELKINS - Close to 40 people braved the winter weather conditions on Wednesday morning to attend the inaugural "Elkins-Randolph Together: A Community Conversation" at Orchard Hall. The event was hosted by the Elkins-Randolph County Chamber of Commerce, Elkins Main Street, and the Randolph County Development Authority. | | | |
Gov. Justice announces $373 million investment from seven new and existing companies in West Virginia | Gov. Jim Justice announced during his State of the State address last week that seven companies will generate more than 570 new, high-paying jobs and a total investment of over $373 million. | | | |
Rural Economic Development Toolkit event to feature Smith OEDC | Corey Lilly, outdoor community development manager for the Brad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative at WVU, will be a featured guest speaker in a national webinar to celebrate the launch of the Rural Economic Development Toolkit created by the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable. The live event will be at 2 p.m. Jan. 24, 2024 on Zoom. | | | |
Connect Berkeley offers a unique way for local entrepreneurs to network | MARTINSBURG - On Tuesday, members of Connect Berkeley joined together at Blue Ridge Community and Technical College for the organization's first meeting of the year. This program connects non-competing member businesses of the Martinsburg-Berkeley County Chamber of Commerce for the sole purpose of sharing leads, referrals, tips, information and advice that directly supports each business. | | | |
A Year of Small Business Success Stories in West Virginia | |
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Last year the WV SBDC highlighted some incredible small businesses and owners across the state!
Meet one-on-one with WV SBDC business coaches to receive confidential, no-cost technical assistance to help start and grow your business in West Virginia.
They help you identify your goals, develop valuable skills and acquire the necessary resources to make your business a success.
Learn more: https://wvsbdc.com
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Communitcations Industry Wholesale Distributor from Harrison County Nets $400,000 Loan from WVCAP | The West Virginia Capital Access Program (WVCAP) approved a loan of $400,000 for Supply Solutions, LLC, a wholesale distributor to the communications industry headquartered in Harrison County. Supply Solutions serves broadband communications providers and their contractors. This funding will allow the company to help support broadband expansion in the state. | | | |
Christian out as CEO of Charleston Area Alliance | Christian, a 26-year veteran of the chamber of commerce and economic development industry, joined the Alliance and its affiliate, the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce, in July 2021 as the president and CEO. | | | | |
James Rumsey expands Small Business Assistance Center - Morgan Messenger | James Rumsey Technical Institute's Company Lab Entrepreneurship Center is expanding their programming due to the increasing demand of individuals seeking business assistance in the Eastern Panhandle. The JRTI Company Lab pilot program, which was launched in 2021 as part of the Statewide WV Education Entrepreneurship Collaborative, continues to grow. A[Read More...] | | | |
WVSU bringing weekly speaker series to Charleston | West Virginia State University is launching a free Lunch and Learn Speakers Series, beginning Wednesday, Jan. 24, at the new WVSU Center at 107 Capitol St. in Charleston. Session of particular interest is on Jan. 31: “ Entrepreneurship and Taxes,” presented by WVSU Assistant Professor of Accounting Susan Graves, CPA | | | |
RESOURCE PARTNER SPOTLIGHT | |
To view the full calendar of events on WV BusinessLink click here | |
To submit your events on WV BusinessLink click here | |
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Episode 103: Veronica Lewis Shares Uplifting Wisdom.
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Featured Episode: Tap into your power grid. Keys to Leadership from Charles Patton. | |
Featured Episode: #139 Kevin Sizemore: Acting in current landscape, how streaming has changed everything, and West Virginia roots fueling success. |
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Featured Episode: Travis Lemon with Wise Guys Media. | |
Your window into wonderful #WestVirginia, sharing news and #opportunities from #AlmostHeaven #YesWV. | |
The daily304’s Innovators and Entrepreneurs helps you stay connected with the people who shape West Virginia. | |
The daily304’s What Makes You Wonderful podcast uncovers the wonders that make West Virginia truly extraordinary. | |
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Episode 19: Entrepreneur Mindset with Dean Idie Kesner, IU Kelley School of Business.
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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. | |
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America's Seed Fund Week/2024 Road Tour - January 23 - 25, 2024
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Data Privacy Day - January 28, 2024
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Global Community Engagement Day - January 28, 2024
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National Entrepreneurship Week - February 10 - 17, 2024
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National Inventors Day - February 11, 2024
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WV Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Call - February 13, 2024
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Presidents' Day - February 19, 2024
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National Leadership Day - February 20, 2024
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Last Day of the 2nd Session of the 86th Legislature - March 9, 2024
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Bridging Innovation Week - April 8 - 11, 2024 - Huntington, WV
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National Small Business Week - April 28 - May 4, 2024
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SBA Awards WV District - Tentative Dates - May 7 or May 8, 2024
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SBA SBIR/STTR Road Tour - May 17, 2024 - Huntington, WV
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Export resources for small business | |
JUST ADDED: The WV FBLA is now accepting applications for the position of Executive Director. To express interest click here to apply. | |
JUST ADDED: NRGRDA and WV Hive are now hiring a PATTERN Coordinator to perform high-level professional work related to the development and implementation of the PATTERN textile innovation space. Click to Apply. | |
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Do you have any positions available? Contact us to have them posted here!
Interested in living and working in Almost Heaven? Then say "YES" to a career in West Virginia. Learn more about Jobcase.com/WV.
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a service of the
WV Small Business Development Center
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You're invited to attend The WV Entrepreneurship Ecosystem call on the 2nd Tuesday of every month.
You must register to attend.
To learn more about how to get involved click here.
Also, connect with us online on our LinkedIn Group.
View WV Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Monthly Calls by Month
View Most Recent WV Entrepreneurship Call Recap
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Do you have an idea or something to include in this email?
Please email your ideas to our Program Coordinator, Mark Burdette, at
mark.d.burdette@wv.gov
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