Third District Accelerator Hosts Access to Capital Workshop in Logan
The Third District Accelerator, a project serving 10 counties in Southern West Virginia, hosted a workshop on June 26 at the Logan campus of Southern West Virginia Community & Technical College to help entrepreneurs and small business people learn about programs to help start or expand a business. “Securing start-up funding or expansion capital are essential needs for the growth and success of businesses,” said Anne Barth, TCWV’s Executive Director. TechConnect West Virginia is a participating entity in the Third District Accelerator program, which provides workforce development and business assistance services to two key business clusters in southern West Virginia — small manufacturers and tourism.
“The workshop provided information about a variety of programs in place – both public and private – that can help provide financial assistance or lending to small businesses in our state.”
A panel of experts discussed several of the existing programs that offer financing programs to small businesses. Panelists included Joe Raymond, Market President for BB&T in Boone, Logan, and Mingo Counties; Joe Brouse, Business Lender, Natural Capital Investment Fund; Leo Lopez, SBA lender relations specialist; Peni Adams, Executive Director, McDowell County EDA; Jesse Gandee, Rural Business Service Specialist, USDA; and Doug Spaulding, Business Coach and Manager, WV Small Business Development Center. The panelists also provided information on eligibility requirements, program guidelines, and application time frames.
The Third District Accelerator is funded by the U.S. Economic Development Administration, the U.S Department of Agriculture and the Appalachian Regional Commission and administered through a partnership of TechConnect West Virginia and the Robert C. Byrd Institute for Advanced Flexible Manufacturing. Partners include Marshall University, Concord University and the Natural Capital Investment Fund.