WV SBDC announces new regional coordinator positions to enhance delivery of coaching services
June 28, 2021CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WV SBDC) announces the creation of three regional coordinator positions. A division of the West Virginia Department of Economic Development, the WV SBDC serves the state’s small businesses, from entrepreneurs with start-up concepts to established companies ready to expand, and every point in between. WV SBDC heads a statewide network of business coaches who provide no-cost, one-on-one consultations, training and connections to financial, technological, and other resources. “Regional coordinators will provide leadership to help achieve our vision of being the most trusted resource to grow West Virginia’s economy through small business success," said...
WV SBDC names Mary Hott as Innovation-Technology program coordinator
June 22, 2021CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WV SBDC), a division of the West Virginia Department of Economic Development, has named Mary Hott as the new Innovation-Technology program coordinator. Mary Hott, West Virginia Small Business Development Center Innovation-Technology program coordinator The WV SBDC In-Tech program focuses on small technology-driven businesses in West Virginia. It helps enterprises to develop strategies and reduce risks around the commercialization of new products, services and processes. In-Tech also provides support in areas such as prototype development, product evaluation, business planning and applications to Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR). The federal SBIR/STTR programs are among...
West Virginia Small Business Development Center launches “Come In, We’re Open” campaign to encourage support for local small businesses
June 17, 2021CHARLESTON, W.Va. — As the economy in West Virginia continues to reopen, the West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WV SBDC) is encouraging people to support small businesses through the “Come In, We’re Open” campaign which launched today. “The ‘Come In, We’re Open’ message is an invitation for West Virginians to head out into their communities and visit the small businesses found there,” said WV SBDC Director Debra Martin. “Throughout the pandemic, small business owners have adapted and persevered and continue to be the backbone of our economy. As West Virginia reopens, it’s critical that small businesses receive enough support to...
WV SBDC names Beth Fish as new business navigator
June 1, 2021CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WV SBDC), a division of the West Virginia Department of Economic Development, announced on Thursday that Beth Fish is joining the agency as its new business navigator. As business navigator, Fish will connect entrepreneurs and small business owners with services provided by the WV SBDC, coordinate the agency's Business Ask Me! Line and collaborate with WV SBDC business coaches and local, state and federal resources, all in an effort to help small businesses start, expand and succeed. Beth Fish, WV SBDC business navigatorFish will also support the WV SBDC's recently launched...
WV SBDC names Bill Woodrum as coordinator of state’s Entrepreneurship Network
April 27, 2021CHARLESTON, WV – The West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WV SBDC), a division of the West Virginia Department of Economic Development, is excited to announce William J. “Bill” Woodrum as the new coordinator of the West Virginia Entrepreneurship Network. In this position, Woodrum will be overseeing a new initiative known as the West Virginia BusinessLink, which will soon be a one-stop, online location for resources in the state available to entrepreneurs and business owners, including existing businesses, start-ups and aspiring entrepreneurs. William J. "Bill" Woodrum, West Virginia Entrepreneurship Network coordinatorBefore joining the West Virginia Department of Economic Development with WV...
West Virginia Small Business Development Center celebrates national SBDC Day, March 17
March 17, 2021CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WV SBDC) joined other centers across the country to celebrate SBDC Day on March 17. 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.Gov. 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 coaches work...
WV SBDC coaches Mary Hott & Will Miller earn Certified Business Advisor certificates
March 16, 2021CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Mary Hott and Will Miller, business coaches with the West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WV SBDC), have completed graduate-level coursework to receive a professional Certified Business Advisor (CBA) certificate.“The CBA program is designed specifically for professionals who advise owners of small businesses,” said WV SBDC Director Debra Martin. “The certification says you have proven you have the knowledge, skills and capabilities to advise entrepreneurs effectively. The CBA presents added assurance to our clients and funding partners that our business coaches perform with a high degree of professional competence.”Hott and Miller's CBA certifications were earned through the accredited Kent...
WV SBDC Partners with Brad D. Smith Business Incubator for Small Business Services
October 19, 2020WV SBDC's Huntington Center will relocate to the Brad D. Smith Business Incubator at Marshall University CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WV SBDC) announced today that their Huntington Center will relocate to the Brad D. Smith Business Incubator, located on the first floor of the Marshall University Visual Arts Center at 927 Third Ave., across from Pullman Plaza. The Incubator, which opened in 2019, provides space for entrepreneurs to cultivate new ideas aimed at growing the local and regional economy. The facility offers mentorship and support to startups, and gives entrepreneurs access to Marshall’s innovation ecosystems,...
WV SBDC partners with WVU Industrial Extension to provide cybersecurity tools for small businesses
October 1, 2020Registration required for free online training CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WV SBDC) is partnering with the West Virginia University Industrial Extension (WVUIE) to provide cybersecurity assessments and free online training to help WV SBDC clients, entrepreneurs and business owners protect their companies from cyberattacks. “As more and more business is being done online, West Virginia’s small business owners need all the help they can get to create a cybersecurity infrastructure that will protect their businesses from cybercriminals looking to steal valuable information,” said WV SBDC State Director Debra Martin. “We want to thank WVUIE for...
SBA and WV SBDC schedule additional COVID-19 webinars on federal relief for small business
April 7, 2020Online training scheduled twice daily the week of April 6 CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The U.S. Small Business Administration's (SBA) West Virginia District Office and the West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WV SBDC) announce today that they have scheduled additional webinars to inform West Virginia’s small business owners about SBA disaster relief funding programs and to provide new information on the Paycheck Protection Program for businesses that have been impacted by COVID-19. To accommodate the high volume of questions, the SBA and WV SBDC will hold the training sessions at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. each day from Tuesday, April...