CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WV SBDC), a division of the West Virginia Department of Economic Development, names Tyler Brandstetter as FASTER WV Business Launch specialist.

FASTER WV stands for Fostering Advantages for Startups for Entrepreneurial Resurgence in West Virginia. An initiative of Advantage Valley, FASTER WV aims to launch more new businesses and grow existing businesses in targeted sectors such as outdoor recreation, healthcare and small manufacturing. The program prepares potential entrepreneurs with skills, one-on-one business coaching and access to capital through a loan fund.

FASTER WV focuses on Boone, Braxton, Cabell, Clay, Kanawha, Lincoln, Putnam and Wayne counties. WV SBDC serves as a partner, along with BridgeValley Community and Technical College, Unlimited Future Inc., and Wyoming County Development Authority.

WV SBDC appoints Tyler Brandstetter as FASTER WV Business Launch specialist
Tyler Brandstetter, West Virginia Small Business Development Center FASTER WV Business Launch specialist

Brandstetter is a native of Fayette County, WV. He graduated from Marshall University’s Brad D. Smith Schools of Business with a Bachelor of Business Administration in the fields of entrepreneurship and marketing, with a minor in business management. After graduating, Brandstetter worked in the wood product industry and held managerial positions to support entrepreneur services and entrepreneurship development. He also co-owned and operated a business in the food services industry before selling the successful venture.

“Tyler has a keen interest in entrepreneurship, from knowledgeable principles to successful hands-on experience,” said WV SBDC Director Debra Martin. “That aptitude, coupled with the resources available through FASTER WV, will put a powerful tool in the hands of West Virginia’s entrepreneurs to give them a strong start that would be hard to match on their own.”

To learn more about WV SBDC’s services and resources for small businesses and entrepreneurs, visit WVsbdc.com.

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