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Beckley has recently garnered national attention, being cited by MarketBeat.com as one of the top 100 U.S. cities for business startups due to its robust support environment. This recognition highlights the West Virginia Hive Network as a pivotal reason entrepreneurs should consider our area to realize their dreams.
Fostering a thriving small business ecosystem throughout southern West Virginia was the New River Gorge Regional Development Authority (NRGRDA)’s intent in 2016 when it founded the West Virginia Hive as its entrepreneurship support initiative. I joined the WV Hive soon after it was formed as a business advisor and moved into the executive director role a short time later, and since then we have made great strides. Over the last eight years we have comprehensively developed and implemented best practices to support 601 businesses and hundreds of aspiring entrepreneurs. Alongside these clients and our support partners we have successfully worked to advance the small business ecosystem throughout southern West Virginia.
Because of the success the WV Hive can prove, we are now in discussions with economic development professionals, higher education institutions, and other organizations across West Virginia interested in replicating our pressure tested model. There is substantial interest and positive momentum around adopting the WV Hive model and customizing the approach to meet the unique needs of other business communities.
MarketBeat.com, an Inc. 5000 financial media company, conducted a survey of 3,000 business executives to identify the cities they consider hidden gems for launching a startup. Beckley emerged as the highest-ranking city in West Virginia at No. 44, with Parkersburg also making the list at No. 56. According to MarketBeat, Beckley “offers a supportive environment for startups in health care, education, and small businesses. The Beckley-Raleigh County Chamber of Commerce and the WV Hive provide essential resources, including mentoring, access to funding, and coworking spaces. Beckley’s strategic location, supportive community, and lower cost of living make it an ideal location for new ventures.”
The West Virginia Hive supports entrepreneurs through a team of knowledgeable business advisors, offering one-on-one business advising, educational programming, technical assistance, and access to numerous resource partners. Since our inception, we have supported numerous businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs, contributing to significant business growth in and around Beckley. The WV Hive has played a key role in the creation of new businesses and jobs, assisting clients in accessing capital and securing federal funds to support business development and growth in southern West Virginia.
Receiving positive feedback from a credible national source like MarketBeat, which uses scientific research to highlight business best practices, is a significant milestone for our organization. It validates the hard work and dedication of everyone involved in the WV Hive’s development and success.
We extend our gratitude to all who have played a positive role in the WV Hive’s journey and to every entrepreneur and small business owner who has trusted us to help them achieve their business goals. As we continue to enhance and refine our model, we remain committed to learning from and working with business owners and entrepreneurs in our 13-county service area.
If you are interested in becoming a client of the WV Hive, or if your organization is interested in replicating this hands-on successful program, please reach out to us.
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Judy Moore is the deputy director of the New River Gorge Regional Development Authority and executive director of its entrepreneurial arm — the West Hive Network. More information about the WV Hive can be found at wvhive.com.
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