The West Virginia Department of Economic Development (WVDED) receives $1,982,460 from Appalachian Regional Commission’s POWER Initiative
December 10, 2024Childcare West Virginia: Building the Business That Supports Business is part of a $68.2 million award package for coal-impacted communities in the Mountain State CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Department of Economic Development (WVDED) has been awarded $1,982,460 by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC). In partnership with the West Virginia Workforce Resiliency Office and private childcare development firm Wonderschool, WVDED will launch two new programs that will increase accessible and affordable childcare supply, empower childcare providers to attract and retain childcare workers, and improve career pathways for childcare workers for coal-impacted communities in Boone, Jackson, Kanawha, Lincoln, Mason, Putnam, Roane...
Will Miller named as interim State Director of the West Virginia Small Business Development Center
November 21, 2024CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WV SBDC) announced Will Miller has been named the new interim State Director. Miller previously served as WV SBDC Deputy Director. Prior to that, he served as a business coach for the WV SBDC in the Charleston office. While in this position, he became a certified business advisor through Kent State University. A native of Sissonville, Miller holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and a Master of Business Administration in International Business from West Virginia University. “I am very excited and honored to be able to lead such a great...
West Virginia Small Business Development Center Employee Completes Business Advisor Certification
November 8, 2024CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WV SBDC) Business Coach Heidi Prior has completed the Certified Business Advisor (CBA) program at Kent State University. The CBA program is a professional certification designed to equip advisors with in-depth knowledge and skills to support small business owners effectively. The program covers key areas such as finance, accounting, marketing and human resources, enabling graduates to provide comprehensive guidance in business development, strategic planning and financial management. “Earning the Certified Business Advisor certification has been an invaluable experience that has deepened my understanding of the challenges and opportunities small businesses face today,”...
West Virginia SBDC Business Coach Sharon Stratton named State Star
October 8, 2024CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WV SBDC) Business Coach Sharon Stratton recently attended the America’s SBDC National Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, where she was named West Virginia’s 2024 State Star award winner. Pictured: (Left to Right) Sharon Stratton, West Virginia’s 2024 State Star award winner and Will Miller, WV SBDC Deputy Director "Sharon's stellar performance and commitment to West Virginia's small businesses has made her a vital resource to the WV SBDC,” said WV SBDC Director, Steve Johnson. “Her selection as the 2024 State Star recognizes her high performance in assisting her clients and enhancing the overall performance of...
WV SBDC participates in first-ever Child Care Roundtable at White House
April 26, 2024CHARLESTON, W.Va. — On March 25, 2024, the West Virginia Small Business Development Center (SBDC) participated in the first-ever Child Care Roundtable discussion, hosted by the Small Business Administration and Administrator Isabel Guzman. “We were thrilled to be invited to the White House for the first-ever Child Care Roundtable, hosted by the Small Business Administration and Administrator Isabel Guzman,” said WV SBDC Director, Steve Johnson. “It was such an honor for WV SBDC Regional Coordinator Shannon Mitchell to be selected to represent the Small Business Development Centers in this inaugural meeting.” The event underscored the importance of addressing challenges within the...
West Virginia Small Business Development Center Celebrates National SBDC Day, March 20
March 20, 2024CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WV SBDC) joined other centers across the country to celebrate SBDC Day on March 20. The event is led by America’s SBDC, representing the nation’s network of Small Business Development Centers. SBDC Day (#SBDCDay) recognizes the success of the country’s small businesses and the Small Business Development Centers that support them. Governor Jim Justice issued a proclamation that honors the contributions of West Virginia’s small businesses. Nearly 99% of businesses in the state are small. The proclamation recognized the services of the WV SBDC and its statewide network of business coaches. WV SBDC business...
West Virginia SBDC Business Coach Donna Schramm Attends State Star Award Ceremony
October 6, 2023CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WV SBDC) business coach Donna Schramm recently attended the America’s SBDC National Conference in Nashville, Tennessee, where she was named West Virginia’s 2023 State Star award winner. "It was an honor and a privilege to represent West Virginia and the amazing work all our coaches do to help the small business community in this state. Nashville was a great host, but this West Virginia girl is glad to be back in the Mountain State," said Schramm. Schramm joins the ranks of honorees from each state recognized at America’s SBDC National Conference. The criteria...
SBDC Business Coach Donna Schramm Receives 2023 WV SBDC State Star Award
July 20, 2023CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WV SBDC) recently announced that SBDC Business Coach Donna Schramm has been named West Virginia’s 2023 State Star. “Donna Schramm’s selection as the 2023 State Star recognizes her exemplary performance and commitment to the small businesses of West Virginia,” Steve Johnson, state director for the WV SBDC, said. “Donna provides her clients with expert business coaching that has resulted in increased access to capital, job creation, and enhanced efficiencies. She continues to be an invaluable resource to her clients and the entire WV SBDC network. Donna’s leadership, strategic thinking, and energy...
WV SBDC’s Huntington Center Relocates
May 24, 2023CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WV SBDC), a division of the West Virginia Department of Economic Development, opened a new office in the River Tower in downtown Huntington. The downtown location will help entrepreneurs and business owners in the community by offering practical information to help grow local business, primarily covering Cabell, Mason Lincoln, and Wayne counties. Featured in this photo from left to right; Doug Harper, WVSBDC Business Coach, Tricia Ball, President & CEO of the Huntington Chamber "The Huntington Regional Chamber of Commerce is excited to have the West Virginia Small Business Development...
The WV SBDC opens satellite office in Shepherd University’s business lab
May 24, 2023CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WV SBDC) has opened a new office in the Eastern Panhandle in partnership with Shepherd University’s business lab. From left to right: Dr. Benjamin Martz Dean College of Business; Dr. Mary J.C. Hendrix President Shepherd University, Carol Goolsby, professor Shepherd University and part-time WV SBDC Business Coach, Michael Boyd WV SBDC Business Coach. “I believe this partnership between Shepherd University, College of Business (SU-COB) and the SBDC provides an important complement to the academic learning environment for our business students. Having SBDC on campus creates linking pins between SU-COB students...