In recent days you may have read about a project that would rejuvenate the South Charleston Technology Park. 

If realized, the project could generate hundreds if not thousands of high value jobs, make our region highly competitive in research and development and create new opportunities for West Virginia’s coal, natural gas and other leading industries.

At stake is a pending donation by Dow Chemical Company of valuable buildings and land located at the technology park to the State of West Virginia.

But this is not just a real estate transfer — it’s about the future of West Virginia.

The purpose of this message is to tell you why this project matters to you, your business and everyone in our region, and what you can do today to help make it happen.

Background

For more than 50 years, the tech park arguably was the top research center in the chemical industry.  Dozens of patents were produced there each year, resulting in globally distributed products worth billions of dollars. (more…)

Delegate Meshea Poore will be hosting a community meeting at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb 9 at the Charleston Woman’s Club on Charleston’s East End.  

East End Main Street Director Ric Cavender will moderate a Q&A session with Delegate Poore and members of the community. 

All are welcome to come share their concerns and suggestions with the new 31st District Delegate.

Generation Charleston is hosting a “Heartwarming Party” from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 12 at Capitol Roasters, 160 Summers St.

Come in from the cold and warm your heart with food, friends, drink specials, a chocolate tasting and music. A “Heart Wall” will be displayed with information about local children in need of foster parents.

Stop by and learn more about each child’s story. “The Heart Gallery of West Virginia — Portraits of Hope” is a traveling photography exhibit that features portraits of West Virginia’s foster children eligible for adoption.

The goals of the Heart Gallery are to spotlight children available for adoption, recruit families for children featured in the gallery, and recruit additional foster and adoptive families for West Virginia’s children.

Matthew G. Ballard

The Charleston Area Alliance has many plans for 2010, but the foundation of all of them is promoting an environment that ignites success and opportunity for businesses and individuals of the Kanawha. Valley

Our Small Business Incubator at 1116 Smith Street is one of the many programs and services we provide to help create jobs and build a more prosperous economy.

Recently, we invited tenants to a lunch during which they shared updates on how their businesses fared during the recession and their forecasts for the year ahead.

While not immune to economic challenges, these small businesses invariably have solid plans for growth and success in 2010.

Progressity, which has been in the incubator for three years, signed a support service contract with Vision Shared, another tenant. TL Tek is preparing to open a remote office in Pennsylvania and continues working with Family Dollar for a multi-state rollout. McKinley & Associates, the architectural firm, is planning for an influx of business in 2010.

One reason these businesses are successful is they operate in an incubator, a sympathetic environment for the growth of small businesses.

The incubator provides flexible space at below-market rates, coupled with a package of free and low-cost services that allow entrepreneurs to concentrate their assets on growth rather than bricks, mortar and other administrative costs. (more…)

Grant Writing Workshop in Dunbar, WV | March 31 – April 1, 2010

West Virginia State Police Academy and Grant Writing USA will present a two-day grant writing workshop in Dunbar, March 31 – April 1, 2010.  Beginning and experienced grant writers from city, county and state agencies as well as nonprofits, K-12, colleges and universities are encouraged to attend.

Purchase orders, checks and cards are welcome.  Multi-enrollment discounts are available. Tuition payment is not required at the time of enrollment. Tuition is $425 and includes all materials: workbook and accompanying 420MB resource CD that’s packed full of tools and more than 200 sample grant proposals. Seating is limited, online reservations are necessary.

For more information including venue location and maps, graduate testimonials and instant, online enrollment, please visit

http://grantwritingusa.com/events/write/duwv0310.html

Contact:

Cathy Rittenhouse
Grant Writing USA
800.814.8191
cathy@grantwritingusa.com

More than 10,000 agencies across America turn to Grant Writing USA for grant writing, grant management and grant research training.

“Women, Power and Policy” is the focus of the next Elevations luncheon program starting at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 2 at the Charleston Woman’s Club, 1600 Virginia St. East.

Top women lobbyists will share their perspectives on shaping policy and making change during a discussion moderated by Sally Smith, Bowles Rice McDavid Graff & Love.

Speakers include: Jill Bentz, WV Insurance Federation: Ruth Lemmon, WV Automobile and Truck Dealers Association; Karen Price, WV Manufacturers Association; and Jan Vineyard, WV Business and Industry Council.

The mission of Elevations, presented by DOW, is to enrich, empower and elevate women to achieve success. Through events featuring prominent speakers and other innovative programs and activities, Elevations provides an essential and affirmative network that connects women with the resources, contacts and information that enhance their lives.

The program will begin with an optional informal networking reception at 11:30 a.m., followed by lunch at noon and the panel discussion.   Tickets are $25 Alliance members/$35 future members through Jan. 29.  Prices increase to $35 Alliance members/$45 future members after that date. 

Click here to register.

We are unable to invoice for groups with fewer than 10 or issue refunds for cancellations received less than 48 hours prior to the event. Thank you.

The Charleston Area Alliance is pleased to partner with the Kanawha County Commission in making our community aware of $10 million in new, low-cost financing opportunities for business development.

Recovery Zone Facility Bonds, authorized by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, are designed to promote job creation and economic recovery by allowing private businesses to borrow funds at lower interest costs, using proceeds of tax-exempt bonds issued by Kanawha County. 

These funds may be used to finance a broad range of large capital projects within the county, which was declared a Recovery Zone by the Kanawha County Commission on December 22, 2009.

Recovery Zone Facility Bonds may be used to finance depreciable business property such as buildings and equipment . . .

• acquired by purchase, constructed, reconstructed or renovated after December 22, 2009;
• originally used after December 22, 2009;
• in the conduct of a qualified business.

Qualified businesses include just about any commercial activity -   hotels, retail stores, warehouses, research parks, manufacturing plants, and office buildings.  Only a few types of businesses are not eligible to participate in this program.

If you have an eligible business development project, Recovery Zone Facility Bonds may provide you with an affordable financing alternative.

You must apply for these funds before February 28, 2010.

For further information, please contact the Kanawha County Commission office at 407 Virginia St., E., Charleston, WV 25301 or call (304) 357-0100.  Or contact the Alliance at (304) 340-4253.

BeBetter Networks is looking for at Director of Engineering.

The Director of Engineering is responsible for the overall development strategy, vision and execution required to evolve technology systems to meet expanding business opportunities.  In this role you will work with the beBetter executive team, product management, subject matter experts, vendors and account managers to deliver a platform and suite of integrated applications that have a simple and elegant design, are inexpensive to operate, are reliable, are flexible to adapt and expand and closely model beBetter’s business strategies overall.

Click here for a full job description and contact information. Call (304) 345-6800 or visit www.bebetter.net for more information.