Advantage Valley projects to receive $8.1 Million
in EDA Grant Funding

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced recently that the Economic Development Administration is investing $10.1 million in the state of West Virginia.  

The Putnam Public Service District, Scott Depot, WV will receive a $1.2 million to upgrade the community’s water capacity to serve area commercial and industrial customers. Grant will be matched with $1.2 million in local funds and is expected to create 220 jobs, retain more than 780 jobs, and generate $28.4 million in private investment.

Huntington Stormwater Utility, Huntington, WV, will receive $5.2 million to protect the downtown business district from future floods by repairing damage to the Huntington Floodwall. The project will be matched with $1.3 million in local funds and is expected to retain 750 jobs.

Coalfield Development Corporation, Wayne, WV, will receive $1.7 million to rehabilitate three buildings in Matewan to establish the Pathfinder Center, a job-creation hub and training facility. The project, to be matched with $437,000 in local funds, is expected to create 110 jobs, retain 90 jobs, and generate $6 million in private investment.

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Advantage Valley and the Robert C. Byrd Institute for Advanced Manufacturing, along with partners at Huntington Area Development Council, Putnam County Economic Development Authority and Charleston Area Alliance, hosted a virtual supply chain expo with Steel of West Virginia on July 14. Steel of West Virginia presented to 76 potential suppliers about their procurement processes and supplier opportunities. The following week 15 companies met one-on-one (virtually) with the purchasing staff of Steel of West Virginia. These companies were chosen based on their RFQs for contract services submitted after the Expo. Participants were thrilled with this opportunity and ten companies estimate that they will execute new contracts with Steel of West Virginia or Steel Ventures. One company, Mining Motors, Inc. of Montgomery, WV has already started machine work for Steel of West Virginia as a result of a new relationship established through the matchmaking event! 

FASTER WV Hosts Second
Sector-Based Webinar

Available Now In Advantage Valley

Did You Know?

The WV SBDC has an ongoing marketing series taught by Digital Marketing Specialist, Roxy Turner.   

Understanding Search Engine Optimization (SEO) - Part 1  Date: 8/18/20 at 10 am:  This 1 hour, SEO focused webinar will explain SEO, how search engines work, determine your web sites rankings and what you can do to improve your website search results.

Understanding Search Engine Optimization (SEO) - Part 2  Date: 8/25/20 at 10 am:  This follow-up 1 hour, SEO focused webinar will walk you through how to use some of the best SEO tools, see what keywords are being used to find you, and see what is working on your website and how you receive traffic.

A Beginner's Guide to Google Analytics - Date: 9/1/20 at 10 am:  If you have a website, then Google Analytics is a key tool for your business. Learn how to use Google Analytics to view your website traffic, your most popular pages, website speed data, customer demographics and so much more in this easy to follow workshop.

These are free webinars, but registration is required. Click HERE to see calendar and to register.

$50,000 Awarded to 16 Small Businesses in Kanawha County

The Charleston Area Alliance announced that 16 small businesses in Kanawha County are receiving individual awards of $3,125 in gap funding as part of its Back to Business Kanawha Valley Program, created to support small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Of the small businesses receiving grant funding, 88% are woman-owned and 6% are minority-owned. Further, included in the analysis of all of the businesses receiving grants, 13% are LGBTQ-owned.

"Small, customer-focused businesses are vital to the Kanawha Valley, and they continue to face challenges amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. We are hopeful these grant awards will alleviate some of those pressures," said Matt Ballard, President/CEO, Charleston Area Alliance.

The CareSource Foundation made the Back to Business Kanawha Valley Grant Program possible with its generous donation of $50,000.

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Advantage Valley Wants YOU!

The region of Advantage Valley, West Virginia, population 615,000+, is seeking proactive, forward-thinking, kind citizens. The right candidates must be detail-oriented and possess a track record of results and successful projects; will demonstrate a positive demeanor and be a visible presence in the community; will be able to work collaboratively with the policy body; will be a thorough presenter of creative solutions and an advocate for customer service; will be a proven team leader who is able to support team members and establish clear directives; have extensive experience in being a kind, thoughtful, creative, and cool human.

Minimum requirements include a Bachelor’s Degree in any field and at least 1 or more years of experience as a progressively responsible tax-paying citizen!

Must enjoy low cost of living, short commute, remote work living opportunities, tech job availability, access to institutions of higher learning, home owning or renting possibilities, unbelievable outdoor recreation, gorgeous rivers and mountains, incredible music and arts scenes, a growing gourmet food scene, fantastic philanthropy and competing sports team rivalries!  

For more information about this opportunity and how to move to Advantage Valley WV and thrive, please visit www.advantagevalley.com.
 

Upcoming Events:

HELPING EXISTING BUSINESSES GROW

ATTRACTING NEW INVESTMENT

PROMOTING BUSINESS START UPS

Advantage Valley represents the following WV Counties: Boone, Cabell, Clay, Kanawha, Lincoln, Putnam, Wayne, Jackson, Mason; the following KY Counties: Boyd, Greenup; and the following OH County: Lawrence. This combined metropolitan statistical area represents:

30% of the state’s population
25% of the state’s employed workforce
$25 billion GDP
615,570 population