CHARLESTON, 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 with entrepreneurs to help businesses advance to the next level.

“Small businesses drive the state’s economy, and the WV SBDC helps fuel those businesses,” WV SBDC Director Debra Martin said. “We appreciate the Governor’s year-round support for the WV SBDC and our mission to help our state’s small businesses thrive.”

Recent WV SBDC accomplishments are highlighted in the 2020 Snapshot report.

  • Every dollar invested in WV SBDC brings a return of $28+ in new capital.
  • 97 new business started, exceeding the agency’s goal by 113%. 
  • 6,443 jobs were supported, exceeding the agency’s goal by 141%.
  • $46.6 million in capital funding was obtained for clients, exceeding the agency’s goal by 157%.
  •  2,371 WV SBDC clients served, exceeding the agency’s goal by 187%.
  • 1,464 WV SBDC clients received disaster-related counseling.
  • $18.8 million disaster-related funding was approved. 

#SBDCDay features virtual celebrations with real-time social media feeds and updates on SBDC events and success stories.

As part of its celebration, WV SBDC’s social media showcases their positive impact on the state’s small businesses and spotlights client success stories.

WV SBDC serves all 55 counties through 14 centers distributed across the state. The centers are staffed with WV SBDC business coaches, many of whom have been entrepreneurs themselves. WV SBDC business coaches provide confidential one-on-one guidance in areas such as exporting, innovation, technology and economic development, finance, management, cybersecurity, and marketing. Most coaches have attained Certified Business Advisor (CBA) certificates by completing graduate-level courses.

WV SBDC is an accredited member of America’s SBDC, a federal partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration and state partner with the West Virginia Development Office.

Related hashtags: #SBDCDay, #WVSBDC
# # #