SBA WV announces 2025 Small Business Week winners
April 30, 2025CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WV SBDC), joined by Small Business Administration (SBA) WV District Office officials, is honoring clients who received 2025 Small Business Week Awards.“The WV SBDC wants to congratulate the 2025 Small Business Week Award winners—your grit, creativity, and community leadership exemplify the very best of American entrepreneurship,” said Will Miller, Director of the West Virginia Small Business Development Center. “Your success reminds us that our entire economy flourishes when small businesses thrive.” The West Virginia district winners will be recognized at an awards ceremony on May 7, 2025 at Robert H. Mollohan Research...
The WV SBDC names Julia Moran as New Business Coach for the Putnam Center
April 18, 2025CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WV SBDC) has named Julia Moran as a new business coach for the Putnam Center, covering Kanawha, Mason and Putnam counties. Previously, Moran was a claims specialist for the West Virginia State Treasury’s Unclaimed Property Division. A graduate of Marshall University, she has built a career centered on client care, financial planning and wealth management. Her experience spans banking, trust services and financial advisory roles, including leadership positions at BB&T, Retirement Planning Group of West Virginia and Fourth Avenue Financial. “We are thrilled to have Julia join the WV SBDC team....
West Virginia Small Business Development Center Employee Completes Business Advisor Certification
April 18, 2025CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WV SBDC) Business Coach Neeley Satzer 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 effectively support small business owners. 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. Satzer is a WV SBDC business coach serving the Potomac Highlands, concentrating in Grant, Hampshire, Hardy, Mineral, Pendleton and Tucker counties. Prior to that, she...
Will Miller named State Director of the West Virginia Small Business Development Center
March 19, 2025CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Small Business Development Center announces Will Miller as the new State Director. Miller previously had served as the agency’s acting director after the departure of former Director Steve Johnson. Prior to that, he was Deputy Director for the WV SBDC in the Charleston office. While in this position, he became a Certified Business Advisor through Kent State University. “I am excited for this opportunity,” Miller said. “The WVSBDC has an amazing team, and I am honored to lead them. It is a great feeling to help a West Virginia entrepreneur realize their dreams, and I...
West Virginia Small Business Development Center Celebrates National SBDC Day, March 19
March 19, 2025CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WV SBDC) joined other Centers across the country to celebrate SBDC Day on Wednesday, March 19. The event is led by America’s SBDC, representing the nation’s network of Small Business Development Centers. SBDC Day recognizes the success of the country’s small businesses and the Small Business Development Centers that support them. In West Virginia, 99% of businesses are small, making a significant impact on the state’s economy. “The West Virginia Small Business Development Center team achieved remarkable milestones last year and is poised to continue this success into the current year. What...
West Virginia Small Business Development Center launched new “Childcare West Virginia: Building the Business that Supports Business” initiative
January 30, 2025CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WV SBDC) launched a new “Childcare West Virginia: Building the Business that Supports Business” initiative today. This project is funded by the Appalachian Regional Commission’s (ARC) POWER Initiative and is in partnership with the West Virginia Workforce Resiliency Office and private childcare development firm 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 childcare costs."We are thrilled to kick off this pilot program to help West Virginia employers to attract and...
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...