Whether you are rooting for the Mountaineers or the Thundering Herd, make sure you are cheering on West Virginia small businesses this football season!
Small businesses are the engine of our economy. Today, there are over 33 million small businesses and startups in the United States and 99 percent of those businesses here in the Mountain State are small. More importantly, small businesses create two-thirds of net new jobs, making them crucial pillars of communities across the country. An estimated 109,300 small businesses employ nearly half of West Virginia’s workforce.
We can each do our part to support the small businesses in our communities by:
- Purchasing our favorite team apparel from local shops. This is a meaningful to show our support for entrepreneurs and small business owners – as they are the ones who help generate jobs, stimulate the economy, and contribute to the vibrancy of local neighborhoods. Bonus points… if you meet some fellow fans while you are out shopping.
- Tailgates are nothing without good food! Visiting local small restaurants to pick up some ribs, wings, pepperoni rolls, or any of your favorite tailgate staples are hopefully top of mind and your go to.
- Not watching the game? No problem, encourage your friends and family to shop small, not just during football season, but all year long!
While you are out supporting your favorite teams and small businesses, remember the U.S. Small Business Administration is currently collecting nominations for the 2025 National Small Business Week (NSBW) Awards. The NSBW Awards recognizes the outstanding achievements, triumphs, contributions, and resilience of SBA-assisted small businesses who drive the American economy. If you are interested in nominating a small business owner in your area for the 2025 National Small Business Week Awards, you can download related forms, criteria, and guidelines, by visiting sba.gov/nsbw. All nominations must be submitted electronically by 4 p.m. ET on December 5, 2024. The awards will be presented during the 2025 NSBW Awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., from May 4-10, and the district level awards will be presented locally during the same week.
Karen Friel is the district director for the U.S. Small Business Administration’s West Virginia District Office and has been employed by the agency for the past 18 years. During her tenure with SBA, she has held multiple positions including administrative officer, business development specialist, lead business development specialist, deputy district director, acting district director, and district director. Karen is responsible for the delivery and leadership of SBA’s financial and business development programs throughout the state of West Virginia.
Karen’s top priority as a district director is to lead the West Virginia District Office to build strong relationships with federal, state, and local agencies and organizations. This initiative has proven successful and resulted in the office meeting the needs of more small businesses throughout West Virginia and has led to the team exceeding the agency’s targeted goals and measures each consecutive fiscal year.
Karen attended Fairmont State University and obtained bachelor’s degrees in marketing, management, and business administration. She has nearly 30+ years of experience in banking, business, marketing, event coordination, and management. Prior to joining the SBA, Friel was a commercial loan processor for 10 years with multiple banking institutions in West Virginia.
Karen is a West Virginia native who grew up on the slopes and mountains surrounding Snowshoe Mountain Resort. She currently resides in Bridgeport with her husband and two college-aged children.
