Kanawha County is applying for the Race To The Top District Grant (up to $30 million dollars for Kanawha County public schools)!  They are seeking support to verify community interest in the grant application!

Please take a moment to complete this survey: http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22GFTYVPRUU

Charleston Area Alliance 
Golf Scramble
Monday, Sept. 17
11 a.m.
Berry Hills Country Club
1 Berry Hills Road

Spots are still available for the 2012 Charleston Area Alliance Golf Scramble.

Join the Alliance and title sponsor United Bank at the annual fundraising event on Sept. 17 at Berry Hills Country Club starting at 11 a.m.

The event will feature a hole-in-one contest with a $10,000 grand prize.

Proceeds from the golf outing support the Alliance’s job-creation and community enhancement programs.

The cost per foursome is $700. The cost per individual golfer is $175. Those prices increase to $800 and $200 after Sept. 7.

Click here to download the registration form.

Exclusive sponsorships, which offer premier opportunities to showcase your business and forge valuable connections with decision makers, are now available.

Tournament sponsorships are available at $2,500. Eagle sponsorships are $1,000. Hole sponsorships are available at $500.

For more information about sponsorships, contact Matthew Thompson by Email or by phone at (304) 340-4253.

Registration begins at 10 a.m. Lunch follows at 11 a.m., and the shotgun start is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Dinner and an awards banquet follow.

One of the premier events of the year, the Alliance Golf Scramble sells out quickly.

Sign up today!

The Charleston Area Alliance applauds the recent news that TRG Customer Solutions is creating 130 new jobs and filling 195 vacant positions in three centers throughout the state.

The announcement was made by Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin’s office on Monday. TRG is a leading global business process outsourcing provider of customer management solutions and technologies.

We’re proud that Gov. Tomblin announced another expansion at a successful development that the Alliance helped cultivate 17 years ago.

BIDCO, which was one of the Alliance’s predecessor organizations, assisted the West Virginia Development Office and Bell Atlantic of West Virginia in recruiting TRG to the Charleston area. The Alliance also aided the company in the selection of its current Southridge Business Park location.

The 24,911-square-foot first facility opened in 1996 and was the first company to locate in the business park. Though the company has changed hands, we like it when our projects bear fruit for decades. Over the years, TRG has added hundreds of new jobs and further expanded its facility.

TRG boasts a broad knowledge of several industry sectors, including the automotive, health care, insurance, pharmaceutical and retail sectors. It offers voice and non-voice communications, along with data analysis. The company’s technological capabilities include intelligent call mapping, emotional response management and universal agent contact.

We are proud of this project and are proud of the many years we have worked with TRG. The Alliance is encouraged by its continued growth and investment in the Charleston area. It’s yet another step in creating a more vibrant community and prosperous economy.

Until next time,

For burgeoning entrepreneurs, cash capital is the lifeblood of their business. Now the Charleston Area Alliance is helping startups by giving them an infusion of cash in a fresh and inventive way.

Thrive is the Alliance’s new crowdfunding initiative, which will be used to generate capital for Kanawha Valley-based businesses with 30 or fewer employees.

Other partners in the project include the Arts Council of West Virginia, Create West Virginia, DigiSo and Generation Charleston.

Earlier this month, a blind panel selected the following nine entrepreneurs out of a pool of applicants:

• Eagle Long Term Care
• Ecovision
• Geo-Rhea  LLC
• Hoopalytics
• iFiTT24   
• Innovative Events      Consultation
• Len  Hoover Auto Art
• U.L. Coaching & Consulting
• West Virginia Cheer Academy

These entrepreneurs will each produce 60-second pitch videos to promote their business and need for crowd funds.

The pitch videos will be released on the Alliance’s YouTube page on Sept. 5 for public viewing. Entrepreneurs will attend an event on Sept. 19 where they will be available to answer questions to community attendees.

Click here to register to attend.

To attend and participate in the event, community members will pay $20 a ticket. In return, they will get to partake in beverages and food, but more importantly, they get to vote for the entrepreneur or small business they want to support.

At the end of the night, the entrepreneur with the most votes will receive $20 times the number of attendees as cash capital to invest in their business. The fund will also be seeded with $500 from Vision Shared.

Jeff James, chairman of the entrepreneurial board of Vision Shared, said Thrive will be an important asset in the future of the Kanawha Valley.

“The most sustainable and prosperous regions of the world are based on entrepreneurship. Almost all of the nation’s net new jobs over the past decade have been from small business startups,” James said. “Any region that doesn’t have a vibrant startup culture is suffering from an economic prosperity perspective and we know that economic prosperity severely affects other quality of life factors, such as health.”

“Thrive and other events like this are very important to the future of Charleston,” said Eric Morris of Generation Charleston. ”Fostering a creative culture leads to new business ventures and ultimately more jobs for our people.”

The Alliance understands how important entrepreneurs are to our economy and business climate.

This new program is essential to our ongoing mission of creating jobs, enhancing our community and investing in people. We believe the progress of these entrepreneurs will help create jobs and let our future really take flight.

For any questions on Thrive, contact Cullen Naumoff at CNaumoff@CharlestonAreaAlliance.org or by phone at 304-340-4253.

Touchdown Throwdown
Business After Hours
Tuesday, Aug. 28
5 – 7 p.m.
Holiday Inn & Suites Charleston West
400 2nd Avenue Southwest
South Charleston

Time is running out to get your early bird discount for tomorrow’s Business After Hours.

Enjoy the university-inspired festivities and experience the newly remodeled Holiday Inn and Suites Charleston West.

Join the fun in the tailgate-like atmosphere and build your team with new contacts through networking while enjoying great food at “Touchdown Throwdown,” which will feature local restaurants.

Formerly the Ramada Charleston, the hotel has transformed itself in to a full Conference Center with newly remodeled meeting space, contemporary and comfortable public areas and an indoor pool complex.

Wear your favorite team gear and come on down. It’s a great opportunity to mix and mingle with Charleston’s business professionals.

Click here to register for the event.

The event is scheduled from 5- 7 p.m.

The cost is $15 for Alliance members and $25 for future members. Online registration ends tomorrow at noon.

Prices at the door are $25 for Alliance members and $35 for future members.

The Alliance will be able to invoice only for groups of 10 or more. Contact Deb Coffman at DCoffman@CharlestonAreaAlliance.org for more information.

The Alliance cannot issue cancellation refunds within 48 hours of the event. Thank you!

Nineteen fledging businesses have been selected for the inaugural class of GROW, a start-up bootcamp program launched by the Charleston Area Alliance.

GROW participants will attend educational sessions hosted by the University of Charleston Graduate School of Business, receive coaching from experienced WV Small Business Development Center business coaches and become part of a peer discussion group where they can discuss the everyday benefits and challenges associated with owning their own businesses.

GROW members will also receive access to free advising from business professionals in an array of fields including legal, accounting, banking, graphic design, and human resources.

The businesses involved in the inaugural GROW class are:

• Alum Creek Book Binder
• B.  Belle Events
• Bold Web Solutions
• Dressmaker’s  Closet
• Earnest Demolition
• GiGi’s  Bridge Road
• Innovative Events Consultation
• JNJgetStarted     
• KCA Holdings
• Kinder Books & Tax
• iFiTT24     
• Life Coach
• Ms.  Groovy’s Café and Catering
• Quarrier Diner
• Resolutions
• The Pink Chuck Studio
• Transitions
• West Virginia Cheer Academy
• White  Law Offices

GROW is an initiative of Vision 2030 and sponsored by the Benedum Foundation.

“The Alliance understands how important entrepreneurs are to our economy and business climate,” said Alliance President/CEO Matt Ballard. “Programs like GROW are essential to our ongoing mission of creating jobs, enhancing our community and investing in people. We believe the progress of these entrepreneurs will help create jobs and drive us forward to the future.”

Cruising in a C-130 airplane, experiencing a surge of 911 emergency calls during a record snowstorm and discovering hidden architectural treasures in downtown Charleston aren’t the typical assignments you’d find in a business curriculum.

But for participants in the Charleston Area Alliance’s Leadership Kanawha Valley program, these experiences are business as usual.

Leadership Kanawha Valley is now accepting registrations for its 2012-2013 class and space is limited.

Click here to register

The program aims to develop, educate and nurture future leaders in our region and engage them and today’s leaders in making the Kanawha Valley an excellent place to live and work.   “The program’s objective involves developing, informing and training potential leaders so they understand the issues and needs of the community,” said Susie Salisbury, the Alliance’s vice president of community development.

“It looks to create an environment that nurtures involvement in the community through volunteerism, service organizations and board appointments.”

Leadership Kanawha Valley, sponsored by Chesapeake Energy, creates the opportunity for potential leaders to meet, establish rapport and maintain ongoing professional relationships.

Applicants may be self-sponsored and self-nominated. In addition, community members may nominate individuals with leadership qualities for the program. Classes start in October and run through May.

The tuition rate is $495 for Charleston Area Alliance members and $595 for future members. The fee covers all expenses for the program. Leadership Kanawha Valley is limited to 35 people.

Those interested in joining the 2012-2013 class should contact Salisbury at (304) 340-4253 or SSalisbury@CharlestonAreaAlliance.org

Touchdown Throwdown
Business After Hours
Tuesday, Aug. 28
5 – 7 p.m.
Holiday Inn & Suites Charleston West
400 2nd Avenue Southwest
South Charleston

This Tuesday, celebrate the kickoff of the college football season at Business After Hours.

Enjoy the university-inspired festivities and experience the newly remodeled Holiday Inn and Suites Charleston West.

Join the fun in the tailgate-like atmosphere and build your team with new contacts through networking while enjoying great food at “Touchdown Throwdown,” which will feature local restaurants.

Formerly the Ramada Charleston, the hotel has transformed itself in to a full Conference Center with newly remodeled meeting space, contemporary and comfortable public areas and an indoor pool complex.

Wear your favorite team gear and come on down. It’s a great opportunity to mix and mingle with Charleston’s business professionals.

Click here to register for the event.

The event is scheduled from 5- 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 28.

The cost is $15 for Alliance members and $25 for future members. Online registration ends the morning of Aug. 28. Prices at the door are $25 for Alliance members and $35 for future members.

The Alliance will be able to invoice only for groups of 10 or more. Contact Deb Coffman at DCoffman@CharlestonAreaAlliance.org for more information.

The Alliance cannot issue cancellation refunds within 48 hours of the event. Thank you!

         The Challenge Program, Inc. Seeking Manager Of Program Development in West Virginia

 The Challenge Program, Inc. is a non-profit organization that partners with business to motivate high school students to excel both in and out of the classroom.  This partnership creates good habits in high school students and provides tangible results to business for their investment.

The program, currently in its eighth year, operates in WV, PA and OH and has been presented to over 325,000 students. For additional information, contact The Challenge Program at (814) 533-7401, or via email at grandinettib@tcpinc.org.

 JOB DESCRIPTION

 POSITION SUMMARY:

This position assists in the development and implementation of The Challenge Program, Inc. operation and fundraising activities.  

 POSITION STATUS:

Work is performed under the general direction of the Executive Director. The manager of program development is expected to identify new donors and organize initiatives to solicit funding and assist in coordinating school visits and events. The manager of program development is expected to demonstrate initiative, creativity, dress in a professional manner and present a positive image as a representative of The Challenge Program, Inc.

 POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

The program manager will assist in a wide range of duties including, but are not limited to the following:

• Developing a fundraising plan;
• Secure business ambassadors for school outreach;
• Create and sustain  relationships with business, school and community stakeholders donors;
• Prepare and provide approved  news releases to media;
• Assist in compiling and  maintaining accurate contact database information;
• Schedule and coordinate events;
• Conduct orientation and awards  assemblies;
• Prepare fundraising packets and  information for mail-solicitation programs.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• BA/BS in business or marketing  and at least one year of directly related experience;
• Outstanding organizational and communication skills;
• Self motivated, flexible, and  willing to travel and work evenings, if required;
• Ability to communicate clearly  and concisely both verbally and in writing;
• Ability to deal tactfully and  courteously with education and business leaders and to establish and  maintain a positive working relationship with other employees of The      Challenge Program, Inc.;
• Ability to maintain  confidentiality with information related to The Challenge Program, Inc.

For further information or to submit your resume, e-mail Barbara Grandinetti, Executive Director of The Challenge Program, Inc. at grandinettib@tcpinc.org

Want to get a big bang for your marketing dollar?  For just $85, Charleston Area Alliance members can get their message in front of 100,000 readers by placing an announcement in the “advance sheet” section of the Charleston Gazette and Daily Mail.

What’s more, Alliance members’ ads will also be highlighted in the email distribution of the “advance sheet,” which is sent to 5,000 business leaders and young professionals, and on Facebook, Twitter and the Alliance blog.  Details follow below.

“This new advertising package offers unparalleled value to Alliance members,” said Alliance President/CEO Matt Ballard.  “We are grateful to Charleston Newspapers for its long-time commitment to our newsletter and look forward to expanding our partnership through this new advertising program.”

The “advance sheet” is a two-page business update published each month courtesy of the Charleston Gazette and Charleston Daily Mail.  If you’re looking for maximum exposure in the state’s most popular newspapers, check out this exclusive advertising deal from the Alliance and Charleston Newspapers.