The Charleston Area Alliance will plant the seeds of success for up to 20 budding area businesses through GROW, an initiative designed to foster entrepreneurship in the Kanawha Valley.

GROW is now accepting applications for its Summer/Fall 2013 session. The program offers educational training, individual coaching and peer feedback to Kanawha Valley entrepreneurs, who have been in business for less than three years, have less than five employees and who seek to expand their network and gain insight from experienced and successful area business people.

The six month program will offer entrepreneurial education, support and network building through:

• Educational courses led by  regional higher education professors and successful regional entrepreneurs
• One-on-one meetings with WV SBDC business coaches
• Entrepreneur peer group meetings facilitated by a business coach.

Entrepreneurs must meet eligibility requirements, submit a completed application and commit to six months of engaged participation. Deadline for applications is July 1, 2013.

Click HERE for the application.

To view an informational Prezi on GROW, please click HERE.

The program will kick off on July 17th and thereafter require a one time per week GROW commitment. Tuition for the program is $250, which includes a complimentary one-year membership to the Alliance ($365 value).

The Alliance membership includes access to a year’s worth of professional and business development programming, networking opportunities and Alliance conference room space and other amenities.

“The GROW program has truly transformed the way I manage my business,” said Julie Wertz, owner of The Dressmaker’s Closet, a custom sewing and alterations boutique.

Wertz was part of GROW’s inaugural class in 2012.

“Through the help of my business coach, I have learned how to utilize QuickBooks to its maximum potential, ” Wertz said. “I am using real numbers to make rational decisions with planning and budgeting and even developed an incentive program to motivate my employees with rewards based on their production.”

Upon successful completion of the program, entrepreneurs will receive $100 of this tuition back to strategically reinvest into their business. GROW is a program of Vision 2030, the Alliance’s 20-year economic development initiative.

For more information, contact Steven Romano at SRomano@CharlestonAreaAlliance.org

Are you employed by a business or organization in Kanawha County? If so, Vision 2030 would like your feedback and input on workplace wellness.

Significant research shows that employers who support healthy living have a higher productivity within their business. By taking this short online survey found HERE, employees in our county can aid the efforts of the Kanawha Coalition for Community Health Improvement (KCCHI) and the Alliance to assess and enhance worksite wellness initiatives.

Take this short online survey and enter to win a $100 VISA Gift Card or a fitness package of portable fitness equipment for use at home or at work! (value $100).

Please pass along to other people employed in Kanawha County.

The Kanawha Converts Consortium is pleased to announce that Bridgemont Community and Technical College and the West Virginia University National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium (NAFTC) have begun training at the Tech Park in South Charleston.

This week, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday, the WVU NAFTC will be conducting classes focusing on light duty natural gas vehicles and compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel system inspection. Topics discussed during the class include:

• Understanding theory, equipment, safety and good work practices
• Developing a working knowledge of the types of cylinders and fuel system components used in CNG vehicle systems
• Visually inspecting CNG cylinders and fuel system components for damage and deterioration.

Bridgemont President Jo Harris said their workforce team partnered with the National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium (NAFTC) to provide this five-day training seminar. She said that 16 individuals are attending, which include diesel technology faculty from Bridgemont, local automotive dealers and city, county and state government representatives.

Funding for the seminar was made available through a grant from the West Virginia Community and Technical College system and the Kanawha Converts Consortium project of the Kanawha County Commission.

“The NAFTC is a pioneer and a national leader in promoting programs and activities that desire to cure America’s addiction to oil, and lead to energy independence and the greater use of clean transportation and energy, “ Harris said. “It is the only nationwide alternative fuel vehicle and advanced technology vehicle training organization in the United States. This type of training can continue to set the building blocks of this already growing industry.”

In January, IGS Energy CNG Services announced an investment to build CNG stations along the I-79 Corridor, which has spurred an excitement to develop a qualified workforce to maintain these alternative fueled vehicles.

“We don’t want to send these vehicles to Oklahoma or Texas to get inspected or converted. The drilling, conversion, fueling and maintenance for these vehicles can all be done in West Virginia,“ Harris said. “This training can help create jobs and provide skills and training that can be built upon to help individuals take advantage of the growing alternative fuel vehicles industry.”

Matthew Ballard, president and CEO of the Charleston Area Alliance, said Kanawha Converts is ahead of the curve in natural gas transportation. The Alliance was tasked with leading Kanawha Converts when leading the consortium was created by the county commission in January 2012.

The deadline has been extended to enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of northern Italy with the Charleston Area Alliance.

Register before Wednesday, Feb. 6 to travel with the Alliance to the city of Varese, the northern Italian lake region, Milan, Parma, Florence (with a touch of Tuscany) and Venice.

Click HERE for the trip brochure.

Since the Alliance trade missions began in 2010, more than 150 business and community leaders from the Charleston area have participated.

Whether you are interested in working with the Alliance staff to create a personalized business itinerary, or simply wish to learn more about these culturally rich regions, you will find this trip exceptional.

Todd Gillenwater, information technology manager at James F. Humphreys & Associates, has traveled on previous Alliance tours. Gillenwater said the trips were full of memorable experiences.

“Traveling with the Charleston Area Alliance is a world-class experience. The days are filled with wonderful itineraries in exotic places and plenty of free time to explore on your own,” Gillenwater said.

“The business track puts you in touch with great contacts abroad, and the best part is sharing these amazing experiences and becoming closer friends with your travel companions.”

Bernie Deem, president of DeemHR, has traveled to China and Eastern Europe with the Alliance. She said the Alliance trips have been very satisfying.

“Last year, we went to Prague, Vienna, and Budapest and had a marvelous time. The way things are arranged gives everyone a chance to do what they enjoy most, whether it is visiting novel boutiques, or studying the architecture of buildings that have survived the ages,” Deem said.

“Being with the Alliance meant we didn’t have to worry about a thing.”

It’s a great trip for businesses that want to explore exporting, importing, joint ventures or other business activities. Work with Alliance staff now so very specialized meetings can be set up to meet your needs.

For more information and to register, please contact. Jeri Adkins by e-mail HERE or by phone at 304-340-4253.

Applications to participate in the inaugural class of the Charleston Area Alliance’s SAGE (Sustainable Agriculture Entrepreneurs) initiative are now available.

SAGE is an economic development initiative to teach people how to grow food and how to use it as an economic opportunity.

Participants will take part in 12 agriculture courses and six entrepreneur courses. They will finish the year long curriculum with an agriculture business license and the skills necessary to cultivate agriculture products.

SAGE requires a $100 participation fee, but $50 will be reinvested into the SAGE graduate’s business upon successful completion of the program.

Applications are due by January 9 and can be found online HERE.

Twelve agriculture classes will take place at the SAGE micro-farm located at 617 Ohio St on the West Side of Charleston, while the entrepreneur classes will take place at the Charleston Area Alliance.

For more information, please contact Cullen Naumoff at 304-340-4253 or by e-mail HERE.

On Tuesday, the Charleston Area Alliance was honored to have NGK Spark Plugs representatives announce the newest expansion of their Sissonville location during the final Alliance board meeting of 2012.

“NGK is a pillar in our manufacturing community and its expansion is another testament to the business climate, access to markets and workforce in West Virginia,” said Matt Ballard, Alliance president and CEO.

“We congratulate the entire NGK team in Sissonville and in Japan. From the early days, working with Senator Rockefeller, Governor Caperton and the Kanawha County Commission, members of the Alliance staff have worked very closely with NGK through each phase of its growth. We are so very happy for them and this new phase of their operations in West Virginia.”

Please view the company’s press release below.

I am very pleased to invite you to join the Charleston Area Alliance on its fourth international trade mission and cultural tour.

Our 2013 destination is northern Italy, where visits include the city of Varese, the northern Italian lake region, Milan, Parma, Florence (with a touch of Tuscany) and Venice.

Click HERE for the trip brochure.

Whether you are interested in working with the Alliance staff to create a personalized business itinerary, or simply wish to learn more about these culturally rich regions, you will find this trip exceptional.

Please join fellow Charleston Area Alliance members and friends as we journey together to Italy next spring.

For questions, contact Jeri Adkins by e-mail HERE or by phone at 304-340-4253.

We look forward to seeing you in 2013!

Sincerely,

Matthew G. Ballard
President/CEO

As featured in:

Click HERE to view the December 2012 Advance Sheet Newsletter

Want to get a big bang for your marketing dollar? For just $85, Charleston Area Alliance members can get their message in front of 50,000 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.

For more information, click HERE.