When I started a business in West Virginia several years ago, my venture began in Charleston. As I developed relationships with local business owners, a few took me under their wings and gave advice on the do’s and don’ts of conducting business in West Virginia. One don’t I occasionally heard was: “People in [...]

Posted in Business, Culture, Economy, West Virginia 6 Comments »

If you have an entrepreneurial spirit and enjoy the art of cooking, you might be interested in the West Virginia Recipe Challenge, which takes place Aug. 18 during the State Fair in Lewisburg. New entrepreneurs and existing businesses will participate in two separate contests. The competition winners will be awarded over $10,000 worth of services [...]

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In recent years mobile phone / wireless Internet services have expanded significantly across the United States. Such expansion has provided benefits in terms of safety, business, and economic development. However, many rural areas throughout the nation still lack a sufficient wireless structure. Within its larger towns/cities and along its Interstate system, West Virginia has good [...]

Posted in Business, Economy, Government, Media, Tourism, West Virginia 2 Comments »

What will West Virginia’s economic future look in 10 to 25 years? According to various experts, the state should capitalize on opportunities to expand its “new economy” capacity, which includes more jobs in technology, science, research & development, and the creative arts.

Culture, Creativity, and Innovation: West Virginia in the New Economy was recently released via [...]

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West Virginia’s economic condition is arguably its greatest challenge. The public sector (i.e., government) often provides the best job opportunities, while private sector growth remains modest. The Charleston Daily Mail has reported that county school systems are the largest employers in 34 of our 55 counties, with Wal-Mart close behind.
In 2000, the state established [...]

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Cultivating the small business environment remains critical in the quest to strengthen West Virginia’s economy. Business Network International (BNI) has established a major presence in the state, and its system for generating business referrals has significantly impacted the small business community. Over 15 BNI chapters have been established across the state since 2002, generating millions [...]

Posted in Business, Economy, West Virginia 9 Comments »

The State Journal, a weekly newspaper covering state business and government, released its annual “55 Good Things About West Virginia” report just before the Memorial Day weekend, and the contents are definitely worth noting. The publication’s intention is to demonstrate “that West Virginians are an inventive and creative people, and their stories are numerous and [...]

Posted in Business, Culture, Economy, Media, Tourism, West Virginia 6 Comments »