WV BusinessLink Newsletter for March 19, 2024

a service of the WV Small Business Development Center

a division of the WV Dept. of Economic Development

March 19, 2024 | Volume 3, Issue 27

Think WV BusinessLink First

Hi there,

Me again, Mark Burdette from WV BusinessLink. Hope you are having a great week so far. Here is your weekly dose of business news and things you need to know across the great state of West Virginia. We would like to welcome our two newest Resource Partners -- Solar United Neighbors of WV and SEED SPOT Retail Brand Accelerator. Be sure to check out their spotlights below for more info. Now let's get into this week's newsletter.

SCAN, CLICK, and READ

SBA announces Small Business award winners. Congratulations to...
Agile5 Technologies - WV Small Business of the Year
Hasten Services, LLC - Veteran-Owned Small Business of the Year
Charlotte's Cafe, LLC - Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year
S&S Fine Diamonds and Jewelry - Family-Owned Small Business of the Year
What people don't know about Manufacturing is hurting us
HOT OFF THE PRESS: WVU Industrial Extension's 2023 Impact Report
Partnering with your local library to promote and support small business can enhance the reach and impact of economic development efforts
How do generations get there names?
WV TRAIL announces new executive director
DID YOU KNOW: Chef Boyardee's surprising link to this famous West Virginia resort
For some, dollar stores are grocery stores. Now hundreds will close.
9 reasons why we all need a little more entrepreneurship in our lives
WV Construction and Design Expo coming to Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center March 20-21, 2024
The best places around the state to take in Maple Days
INSPIRATIONAL: Local firefighter becomes first Georgia Smoke Diver in state of West Virginia
WV State Univ. Economic Development obtains $10k State Farm grant
Women's Expo kicks off at the Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Center on March 22-23, 2024
'Villains Comics' uses nostalgia to build human connections
Willow Peyton finds 'The Poem You've Benn Waiting For' on her way to Poetry Out Loud state title
Concord University reaches another milestone in development of its Rare Earth Element Analysis Center
Learn more about PPP forgiveness

Thanks for reading. Onward and Upward!

Mark

Mark Burdette, EDP

Program Coordinator

WV BusinessLink

Direct: 304-352-4156

Quick Links

WEB OF LIES

Today, so much of our lives are online that perhaps it's no surprise that criminals are increasingly targeting us in the digital world as well as the physical. Indeed, in the FBI’s latest annual Internet Crime Report, it was estimated that American consumers and businesses lost a record $12.5bn to internet crimes last year, a 22% jump from 2022, with losses related to investment scams in particular rising, up 38% in 2023.

Here are some resources across the state of West Virginia to help you protect yourself and become more #CyberAware

FEATURED ARTICLES

Victor W. Hwang To Keynote 2024 WV Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Conference in Huntington

The West Virginia Entrepreneurship Ecosystem is thrilled to announce that Victor W. Hwang, Founder and CEO of Right to Start and a world-renowned champion of entrepreneurship, will deliver a keynote address at this year’s West Virginia Entrepreneurship Economic Conference. The conference will be held on April 9th at the Mountain Health Arena in Huntington, West Virginia as part of Bridging Innovation Week.

ED Now Feature | Building Small Businesses: Library Services Support Entrepreneurship - International Economic Development Council (IEDC)

Partnering with your local library to promote and support small business can enhance the reach and impact of economic development efforts.

How 'tax friendly' is West Virginia? Map shows every state's grade

Tax season isn't really fun for anyone, but some states' residents have it harder than others this time of year.

RESOURCE PARTNER SPOTLIGHT

Solar United Neighbors (SUN) is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to representing the needs and interests of solar owners and clean energy supporters. They’re a community of people building a new energy system with rooftop solar at the cornerstone. They help residents, small businesses and farms go solar, join together, and fight for their energy rights. They currently have two staff full time in West Virginia. They have a free nationwide Help Desk and free resources like our REAP guide for farms and businesses to save money on their electric bill with solar. We offer free roof reviews, as well.

The Retail Brand Accelerator is a fully-funded 10-week virtual program, providing tailored workshops, mentorship, and resources to prepare diverse founders to breakthrough and succeed in mass retail. Participants refine their sales presentations and processes, increase their inventory and supply chain capacities, build a stand-out brand identity, and are guided through retailer compliance requirements. Deadline to apply is June 23, 2024.

EVENTS

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

To submit your events on WV BusinessLink click here

Building a Quality SBIR Team

TechConnectWV

March 20, 2024

12:00pm-1:00pm EST

Federal Community Development Funding Training

WV Hub

Bridgeport Conference Center

March 20-21, 2024

Kauffman Fast Trac

Advantage Valley

March 21 - April 4, 2024

Thursdays 5:30-8:00pm

Montgomery City Hall

26th Annual Southern Communications Women's Expo

Beckley Raleigh County Convention Center

March 22-23, 2024

More Info

Growing Your Business Through a Culture of Service by Zingtrain

WV Hive

March 25-26, 2024

Tamarack Conference Center

Social Media Marketing with Brianna Duckworth | Lunch & Learn

WV Hive

March 27, 2024 12pm to 1pm

Focus Forward: West Virginia's Digital Destiny

WVPEC and Benedum Foundation

March 27, 2024

9:00am-4:00pm

2024 Spring Minority Business Expo

Herbert Henderson Office of Minority Affairs

April 4, 2024

10am-2pm

Ranson Civic Center in Ranson, WV

Business Basics

Unlimited Future

April 9, 2024

6:00pm EST

Huntington, WV

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

SBIR Road Tour

TechConnect, MAMC, WV SBDC

May 17, 2024 at 11:00AM

Huntington, WV

PODCASTS

Episode 106: Dawne Jacoby Shares Wisdom for Healing

LISTEN NOW

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

LISTEN NOW

Featured Episode: J.D. Belcher, Producer, UBB: A Coal Miner's Story

LISTEN NOW

Featured Episode: Frank Vitale: Country Roads Angel Network

LISTEN NOW

Episode One: You Call That Art?

LISTEN NOW

Episode 21: Celebrating Entrepreneurs with Steve Case, CEO of Revolution.

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

March is Women's History Month
National SBDC Day - March 20, 2024
8th Annual Minority Business Expo - April 4, 2024 - Ranson, WV
Bridging Innovation Week - April 8-11, 2024 - Huntington, WV
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 - Tentative Dates - May 7 or May 8, 2024
SBA SBIR/STTR Road Tour - May 17, 2024 - Huntington, WV

STATE RESOURCES

Export resources for small business

SUBSCRIBE NOW

ECOSYSTEM JOB BOARDS

The WV FBLA is now accepting applications for the position of Executive Director. To express interest click here to apply.

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.