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a service of the WV Small Business Development Center
a division of the WV Dept. of Economic Development
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January 27, 2025 | Volume 4, Issue 2 | |
Think WV BusinessLink First | |
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Hi there,
Me again, Mark Burdette from WV BusinessLink. To lead off this edition of the WV BusinessLink newsletter I wanted to let everyone know that registration for Bridging Innovation 2025 is NOW OPEN. We can't wait to see everyone in Shepherdstown in April! Also, I wanted to share with everyone the following important announcement. The West Virginia Small Business Development Center to kickoff a new program: "Childcare West Virginia: Building the Business that Supports Business." This project is funded by the Appalachian Regional Commission and is in partnership with Wonderschool. This initiative will increase access to affordable child care by establishing new profitable childcare businesses, helping existing childcare providers operate more efficiently, and allowing employers to recruit and retain workers by offsetting the costs of child care. Join Mike Graney, Acting Secretary, WV Dept. of Economic Development, Will Miller, Interim Director, WV SBDC, and Chris Bennett, CEO and Founder, Wonderschool on Wednesday, January 29, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. at the Putnam County Chamber of Commerce Area 34 Co-working Space. If you are interested in attending the announcement please RSVP to Will Miller at William.C.Miller@wv.gov. Now, let's get into the latest edition of the WV BusinessLink newsletter. Happy New Year and Enjoy!
SCAN, CLICK, and READ
Thanks for reading. Onward and Upward!
Mark
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Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting Injunction Reinstated | In light of a recent federal court order, reporting companies are not currently required to file beneficial ownership information with FinCEN and are not subject to liability if they fail to do so while the order remains in force. However, reporting companies may continue to voluntarily submit beneficial ownership information reports. The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) plays a vital role in protecting the U.S. and international financial systems, as well as people across the country, from illicit finance threats like terrorist financing, drug trafficking, and money laundering. The CTA levels the playing field for tens of millions of law-abiding small businesses across the United States and makes it harder for bad actors to exploit loopholes in order to gain an unfair advantage. | | | |
Understanding the Corporate Transparency Act and BOI Reporting Requirements: The Essential Guide for West Virginia Business Owners | As a business owner, keeping up with all the rules and regulations surrounding your business is vital. However, while meeting your company goals, interacting with clients and keeping things running, staying current on changes can take a lot of work. At the West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WV SBDC), we can help. This Essential Guide breaks down what you need to know about the Corporate Transparency Act. | | | |
Looking to Start or Grow a Business in West Virginia? Entrepreneurs and small business owners in West Virginia have a unique opportunity to pitch their business ideas and current needs to the WV Entrepreneurship Ecosystem. Don't miss this chance to gain valuable exposure, networking, and potential investment opportunities! | |
InBIA's Winter 2025 cohort of the Entrepreneurship Center Management (ECM) Certificate Program starts February 4, 2025. | |
Become an Entrepreneurship Development Professional in West Virginia | |
Demonstrate that you have the skills and expertise to make a difference in your community through entrepreneurship-led economic development (ELED). This program was designed for professionals who work with entrepreneurs and small businesses. Learn how to foster entrepreneurship support, economic development and community development approaches to create and nurture thriving entrepreneurial ecosystems. To learn more click on Schedule and choose the "Interested in an EDP Certification?" to meet and discuss pursuing your EDP certification. | |
WV Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Announces SBIR/STTR State Matching Funds Available | |
The WV Small Business Development Center (SBDC) would like to remind any business who recently received federal SBIR/STTR funding that July 1st – 31st is one of only two windows of time annually to apply for potential State matching funds.
This matching fund program is through the WV Entrepreneurship & Innovation Investment (EII) Fund and is managed by the WV SBDC’s Innovation-Technology (In-Tech) program. A business must first successfully submit a federal SBIR or STTR proposal and receive a Phase I or Phase II award. The amount of the matching funds awarded is dependent on the existing balance in the EII Fund at the time of application and is typically not a 100% match.
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Empowering West Virginia's Small Businesses: How WVCAP Funds are Shaping the Future in 2025 | As the New Year begins, entrepreneurs and small business owners are often focused on new opportunities to expand and innovate. Securing the right funding is a critical step in achieving this growth and finding the right financial resources can make a significant difference. | | | |
Secretary of State Kris Warner Reports 843 New WV Business Registrations for December of 2024 | |
The WV Secretary of State’s Office registered 843 new businesses statewide during the month of December according to Secretary of State Kris Warner.
Monroe County led the state in the percentage of new business growth with a total of ten new business registrations, a 1.37% increase. The Secretary of State’s Business Division reported that Wirt, Mason, Wetzel and Morgan County also experienced notable growth during the month.
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RESOURCE PARTNER SPOTLIGHT | |
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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:
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Michele O’Connor, Director of INNOVA Commercialization, High Technology Foundation, 2022
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Marten Jenkins, President & CEO, Partner Community Capital, 2023
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Mike Green, Managing Director Mountain State Capital, 2024
Nominations can be submitted via email to Michele O’Connor at moconnor@wvhtf.org by February 28, 2025.
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The 2025 GAFC Stage One application portal is now open and closes on January 31 with prize awards announced by April. | |
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Session Schedule
- January 27, 5:30 - 8:30 PM, In-person with virtual option
- February 3, 5:30 - 8:30 PM, Virtual
- February 10, 5:30 - 8:30 PM, In-person with virtual option
- February 24, 5:30 - 8:30 PM, Virtual
Location
Register Now - Spaces are limited, so don't wait!
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Join us for this free virtual seminar to discover resources and information for when your business is contemplating a change in ownership.
Presenters include:
- Aaron Sporck, Huntington Bank
- James Becker & Max Knapp, Whitewater Capital Partners
- Tim Gibbons, WV Center for Employee Ownership
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Save the Date! Metal Tech Expo to return to Huntington April 10 | |
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If you own or operate a machine shop, welding or fabrication facility or need services these manufacturers provide, then you won't want to miss the Tri-State Metal Tech Expo April 10 in Huntington. Presented by the Marshall Advanced Manufacturing Center and Advantage Valley with support from Steel of West Virginia, the free event is the perfect opportunity to connect with others in the industry, including potential new customers or suppliers. Stay tuned for details!
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In collaboration with the West Virginia Association of Regional Councils, and supported by the WV Economic Development Council, the NRGRDA has launched the West Virginia Child Care Economic Impact Survey to help provide an economic snapshot of the impacts that existing and prospective businesses see related to childcare. The information being collected in this survey will help identify the specific needs and concerns of businesses regarding childcare so everyone can work together to develop targeted solutions that support both the workforce and economic growth in West Virginia. To learn more, click here. | |
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This one-day event, kicking off Bridging Innovation Week 2025, will begin with a registration and meet-and-greet session, followed by opening comments and an overview of the state of the industry. Key sessions include basics of business valuation, storytelling for improving valuation, and strategies for setting up a business for long-term success. Breakout sessions will cater to buyers and business owners, addressing valuation and succession planning. A panel discussion on accessing resources will round out the days events, before concluding remarks.
Additional information about the West Virginia Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Conference and Bridging Innovation Week activities can found by visiting: https://wveshipecosystem.org.
Please note** This registration is for Monday's pre-conference event only. If you are interested in attending Tuesday's West Virginia Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Conference, separate registration is required.
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Sponsored by the Center for Economic & Community Development in Black Appalachia and Isolated Communities at Marshall University, Lewis College of Business at Marshall University, and Black by God, this one-day event, kicking off Bridging Innovation Week 2025, will begin with a registration and lunch, followed by opening comments and an overview of the state of black business in West Virginia and Appalachia. Additional details on the workshop events will be forthcoming.
To learn more about the West Virginia Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Conference and Bridging Innovation Week activities, please visit: https://wveshipecosystem.org.
Please note** This registration is for Monday's pre-conference event only. If you are interested in attending Tuesday's West Virginia Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Conference, spearate registration is required.
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Welcome to the **BIW Welcome Reception**! 🎉 Join us on **Mon Apr 28 2025** at **5:00 PM** at **The Garage on King** for a evening of networking and celebration. Get ready to meet fellow attendees, enjoy delicious food and drinks, and engage with participants and winners of Build-Up Berkeley, Jump Start Jefferson, and the Morgan County Business Pitch Competitions. Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to connect with entrepreneurial focused professionals and make new friends. We can't wait to see you there!
Check out more about The Garage on King here.
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The WV Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Conference is the state’s premier professional learning and networking opportunity for entrepreneurs, resource providers, and/or public, private, and government entities supporting entrepreneurs.
NEW this year!! The WVEE is offering several unique learning and networking opportunities during this year's West Virginia Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Conference. Please visit https://wveshipecosystem.org for details and regular updates.
Who should attend?
- Current and prospective entrepreneurs
- Small business owners
- Entrepreneurial support organizations (ESOs)
- Government representatives
- Educators and students
Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to be a part of West Virginia's vibrant entrepreneurial community!
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BIW's Entrepreneurship Education Day is an exclusive opportunity for middle and high school students and educators to dive into the dynamic world of entrepreneurship through hands-on learning and engaging innovation activities. Held on Thursday, May 1, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, the event will feature interactive workshops facilitated by experts from The EdVenture Group, WVU Extension, WV Department of Education, and Shepherd University.
Participants will explore key entrepreneurial concepts, develop creative problem-solving skills, and practice design thinking techniques using Intuit’s Design for Delight Framework. Highlights include brainstorming sessions, rapid prototyping, and the chance to present ideas in quick pitches. Attendees will also witness the Shepherd University High School Pitch Competition, gaining inspiration from their peers’ innovative projects.
This immersive experience is designed to empower students and educators with the tools and confidence to become changemakers in their communities. Join us for this unique event and ignite your entrepreneurial potential!
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Round 1 of SparkWV: The Future of West Virginia is Bright! by Amber Ravenscroft | |
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The EdVenture Group has had the absolute pleasure of seeing the state’s entrepreneurial talent on display in Round 1 of SparkWV, a pitch competition for middle and high school students across our state, this week. From innovative “big ideas” to thoughtful small business concepts, these young minds showcased passion and creativity that truly blew me away!
Both tracks—Small Business and Big Idea—are shaping the future of West Virginia:
🔹 Small Business Track: These ideas are practical, community-focused, and ready to make an immediate impact locally.
🔹 Big Idea Track: These visionary concepts show bold thinking and tackle broader challenges, with the potential to scale and transform entire industries.
We can’t wait to see how they build on these ideas in Round 2! This next stage is where the real magic happens—refining, expanding, and unlocking even more potential. If Round 1 was this good, we’re in for something special!
A huge shout-out to all the participants, mentors, and organizers. The future of entrepreneurship in West Virginia looks incredibly bright, and I’m so excited to see these young innovators continue their journey! 🚀
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SparkWV is an entrepreneurship-inspired competition designed to ignite the creativity of West Virginia’s middle and high school students. Now in its second year, SparkWV offers young innovators the chance to turn their ideas into reality, develop business skills, and compete for prizes. | |
🚀 Calling All West Virginia Entrepreneurs! 🚀 | |
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Have a business idea or are looking to grow your existing business? This is your chance to shine! 🌟 Apply now to pitch your idea and current needs to the WV Entrepreneurship Ecosystem (WVEE) and gain valuable exposure and support. Pitches will be heard live during the WVEE monthly meeting, held every second Tuesday from 2-2:45pm EST.
📋Eligibility:
- Must be 18 years or older.
- Business must be located in West Virginia.
- Must be registered for the WVEE monthly meetings.
Complete the application below for a chance to pitch. If approved, you’ll receive an email confirmation with all the details.
Link to Apply ➡️https://forms.gle/8USbD7RmQkW6aaLd9
📆 Don’t miss this opportunity! Apply today!
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Entrepreneurship is a journey riddled with obstacles that require resilience. Right to Start is addressing these hurdles, advocating for entrepreneurs and fostering a nationwide entrepreneurial spirit. This fall, Right to Start's CEO, Victor W. Hwang, will travel from California to Capitol Hill, championing entrepreneurship through a petition signed by thousands from across the country. Lend your support by signing their Statement of Principles, and help make starting and growing a business more accessible. Together, we can dismantle barriers, spur job creation, and promote wealth generation. | |
Black By God (BBG) is excited to announce the Black on the Map Project launch, an innovative initiative dedicated to supporting and promoting Black-owned businesses across West Virginia. BBG invites you to share information about Black-owned businesses in your town and announce this project to your networks to help us create a comprehensive online listing, map, and print directory. Information will be vetted and transcribed to public-facing community resources. | |
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 121: Season 5 Wrap-Up with Special Guest Rachel Bell
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Featured Episode: Grace Hutchens: Hops on the Mon
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BBG Today with Crystal Good
A New Daily Podcast Honoring Black Culture in WV and Beyond
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Click the button below for the full archive of the Fostering Solutions podcasts | |
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Click the button below for the full archive of the Chambers Talks podcast.
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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. | |
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. | |
- January is National Mentoring Month
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Meet the Funders of the WV Investor Collaborative - January 29, 2025 9am-10am CST
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America's Seed Fund Week 2025 - February 11-13, 2025 - Virtual
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USASBE 2025 - February 12-15, 2025 - Las Vegas, NV
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IEDC Leadership Summit - February 23-25, 2025 - Washington, DC
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ICBI39 - April 6-9, 2025 - Philadelphia, PA
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Main Street Now - April 7-9, 2025 - Philadelphia, PA
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Bridging Innovation Week - April 28 - May, 2025 - Shepherdstown, WV
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Global Entrepreneurship Congress - June 2-5, 2025 - Indianapolis, IN
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VentureWell Innovation in Action Summit (VIA) - June 10-12, 2025 - New Orleans, LA
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IEDC Rural Summit - June 23-25, 2025 - Great Falls, MT
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IEDC Annual Conference - Sept. 14-17, 2025 - Detroit, MI
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IEDC Leadership Summit - March 1-3, 2026 - Washington, DC
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Export resources for small business |
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Whether you’re looking for the perfect location for your next film project, or you’re a crew member ready to undertake your next project, we’re here for you.
Let us help you secure your perfect location, find skilled workforce, and navigate film permitting.
We’re ready to help with an experienced crew, an established statewide network of governmental agencies, nation-leading fiscal incentives, local business leaders and community representatives that are unmatched in hospitality. We look forward to working with you soon in – Yes, West Virginia!
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Welcome to the West Virginia Digital Identity Tech Hub | |
Announcing the new West Virginia Digital Identity Tech Hub (WVDITH) blog! This platform keeps you updated on our initiatives, advancements, and positive contributions in West Virginia. We aim to boost economy, promote innovation, and improve resident lives through secure, fair digital identity technologies. | |
WV ENTREPRENEURSHIP ECOSYSTEM | |
Looking to Start or Grow a Business in West Virginia? Entrepreneurs and small business owners in West Virginia have a unique opportunity to pitch their business ideas and current needs to the WV Entrepreneurship Ecosystem. Don't miss this chance to gain valuable exposure, networking, and potential investment opportunities! | |
NEW JOB POSTING: Vantage Ventures is hiring a hybrid temporary Startup Development Associate. To learn more and apply click here. | |
NEW JOB POSTING: The West Virginia Small Business Development Center is currently hiring for a new position: Business Coach. For more information and to apply click here. | |
NEW JOB POSTING: The West Virginia Small Business Development Center is currently hiring for a new position: State Director. For more information and to apply click here. | |
NEW JOB POSTING: Invest Appalachia is hiring! Two roles - a Director of Investment and an Investment Associate - will be dedicated to the management of the Invest Appalachia Fund and driving their investment strategy. A third role - a Strategic Communications Manager - will be focused on strengthening external communications about IA’s work and partners, as well as internal communications systems. | |
NEW JOB POSTING: The Tamarack Foundation for the Arts is currently hiring for a new position: Creative Network Manager. For more information and to apply click here. | |
NEW JOB POSTING: University of Charleston is seeking an Executive Director of Innovation. The Executive Director of Innovation oversees all programs and operations of the UC Russell and Martha Wehrle Innovation Center located on the Charleston campus, and the UC Downtown Innovation Hub located at 240 Capitol Street. The primary responsibilities are facilitating innovation efforts that impact faculty, staff, and students, and supporting area small and medium size business growth. Reporting directly to the President of the University, the Executive Director works closely with three full-time staff members: the Director of the Innovation Center, the Program Director of the Downtown Innovation Hub, and the Program Manager who supports both locations. This is a full-time position that requires daily on-location presence at the Downtown Innovation Hub and frequent travel to the Charleston campus. Learn more and to apply. | |
NEW JOB POSTING: Advantage Valley FASTER WV Entrepreneurship Program is seeking a dedicated FASTER WV Trail Towns Business Coach to join their team to help foster the growth of tourism and recreation-related businesses along the Elk River Trail System. The Business Coach will play a vital role in meeting with and supporting early-stage entrepreneurs and small businesses in the designated region. They will provide guidance, mentorship, and resources to help clients succeed in their business endeavors. For key responsibilities, qualifications, and compensation information visit the following link. To apply, please submit your resume and a cover letter with the email subject line: FASTER WV Trail Towns Business Coach to dberry@te-associates.com. Application Deadline is January 31, 2025. | |
NEW JOB POSTING: Roane County Chamber of Commerce is hiring a new Executive Director. It's a part time position with pay at $22/hr. (20-30 hours/week). Pay based on hours. PTO negotiable upon successful completion of probationary period. Work location flexible. Office hours expected weekly in Spencer along with in-person meetings with members, elected officials, and community partners. Some evening and weekend hours required. Resumes can be emailed to roanechamber@gmail.com or mailed to Roane County Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 1, Spencer, WV 25276. Resumes will be evaluated on a rolling basis. Individuals who are passionate about rural communities, small businesses, and a positive economic climate are encouraged to apply. View job description and apply now on Indeed. | |
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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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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 or feel free to call me directly at 304-352-4156.
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