WVSBDC celebrates state small business award winners
May 2, 2016CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WVSBDC) congratulates ten West Virginia small businesses owners and three small business lenders on winning 2016 Small Business Administration district awards. “Year after year, the West Virginia SBDC is privileged to work with and nominate an elite group of small business owners for their innovation, hard work and creativity,” said Kristina Oliver, state director of the WVSBDC. “We at the WVSBDC wholeheartedly believe that these hardworking men and women are the entrepreneurs that keep our state’s economy growing and thriving. I’d like to personally congratulate each nominee and this year’s...
State’s Small Business Development Center earns national accreditation
April 19, 2016CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Small Business Development Center has earned full accreditation from the Association of Small Business Development Centers, the national accrediting body for Small Business Development Centers under contract from the U.S. Small Business Administration. Federal statute mandates that every five years, SBDC programs undergo a robust review to continue program eligibility and funding. The America’s SBDC Accreditation Committee voted unanimously to fully accredit the WVSBDC program. “Accreditation is essential to upholding the high quality of the national SBDC program and in securing funding from the U.S. Small Business Administration,” said Kristina Oliver, state director of...
Small Business Development Center kicks off National Small Business Week
April 14, 2016Plans statewide blitz of free business fundamentals workshops May 2-3 CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Small Business Development Center will kick off its celebration of entrepreneurship during National Small Business Week by offering free business fundamentals workshops throughout the state. “Small business owners are the driving force of our economy,” said Kristina Oliver, State Director for the West Virginia SBDC. “It’s an honor to recognize the achievements of these small business owners and advocates. These leaders play a key role in building our economy – helping our state and nation move forward.” National Small Business Week 2016 runs May 1-7...
Outdoor Adventure Park opens West Virginia’s first solar-powered hotel
March 18, 2016Public invited to ribbon cutting March 23, Harpers Ferry HARPERS FERRY, W.Va. — The first solar-powered hotel in West Virginia is opening in Harpers Ferry. The public is invited to a ribbon cutting and presentation 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, March 23, at the Quality Inn, 4328 William L Wilson Freeway, Harpers Ferry. By acquiring the former Cliffside Quality Inn, outdoor adventure company River Riders Inc. saved 32 local jobs. The company renovated the inn to expand its amenities, conference, food service and activity offerings. Other River Riders accommodations include riverside cabins, tent sites and RV campground. River Riders leads white water...
WVSBDC adds West Virginia native Lindsey Teets as new business coach
March 10, 2016CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Small Business Development Center has added West Virginia native Lindsey Teets to its statewide network of business coaches. Teets operates from the Eastern West Virginia Community & Technical College WVSBDC Outreach Office, Moorefield. His office focuses on Grant, Hampshire, Hardy, Mineral, Pendleton and Tucker counties. The WVSBDC statewide network helps new businesses to get off to a strong start and established businesses to succeed and grow. The network makes it possible for small business owners anywhere in the state to call on WVSBDC specialists certified in areas such as capital access, innovation/technology, exporting and...
Brothers gear up with new truck parts shop
January 27, 2016Huntington’s Central City Truck Parts serves Class 8 trucks, pickups and autos The new Central City Truck Parts shop is now available in Huntington to provide parts for vehicles in a range of sizes. Central City Truck Parts specializes in Class 6 – 8 heavy duty trucks, but can also serve automobiles and light trucks. The enterprise is located in a renovated commercial space on 1503 Washington Avenue. After years of learning about car and truck equipment while working for others, Blufford Blake felt driven to open his own business. Assisted by his brother Mike, Blufford partnered with his wife...
Online survey asks West Virginia small businesses about needs, challenges
January 21, 2016CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Small businesses in West Virginia have a chance to tell the state what they need to succeed. The West Virginia Small Business Development Center invites owners to share feedback regarding their business challenges and priorities in a confidential online survey on wvsbdc.org/westvirginia. The survey can be completed in about 10 minutes. The window of opportunity to take it is open 24 hours a day, but closes at midnight, Friday, Feb. 19. The survey is open to all small businesses in the state, whether they have been clients of WVSBDC or not. A small business is defined as...
Retired Fire Captain tees up with new indoor golf business
December 16, 2015A lot of people take up playing golf when they retire. When former Captain Brett Gaeger retired from the City of Huntington Fire Department, he decided to take a swing at running a new indoor golf business. Greenside Indoor Golf opened in November in a newly renovated building in downtown Huntington. The golf simulator business houses three bays of professional golf simulators, with room for expansion, and a private room for parties. Gaeger and his wife Terri, a Fairland Elementary school teacher, both work in the business and offer hands-on help with the simulators. Gaeger approached the West Virginia Small...