Start a Business in West Virginia

West Virginia government business services or WV.gov is the official Web site for the State of West Virginia.

It includes everything you need to know to start, expand, or relocate a business in West Virginia. Resources include Starting a Business, Permits and Licensing, Training and Events, Taxes, Filing Wages, Contractors, Finding Financial Assistance, Learn Employer Responsibilities, Building Availability, and much more.

Secretary of State
Building 1, Suite 157-K
1900 Kanawha Boulevard, East
Charleston, West Virginia 25305
Phone: 304-558-6000

West Virginia Government Business Services website

The West Virginia Women’s Commission’s mission is to elevate the power and potential of West Virginia women and girls. They promote the empowerment and equality of all West Virginia women to ensure their full participation in society.

The Women’s Commission focuses on projects in the categories of leadership, legislation, recognition, research, and education. They sponsor annual events for women and girls that teach advocacy, encourage involvement in the legislative process, and provide information on educational opportunities for women.

West Virginia Women’s Commission
1900 Kanawha Boulevard
Room 9-R
Charleston, West Virginia 25305
Phone: 304-356-2023

West Virginia Women’s Commission website

The West Virginia SBA is supported by a main district office in Clarksburg and an additional location in Charleston. They provide services including funding programs, counseling, federal contracting, certifications, and disaster recovery. They can also connect you to partner organizations, lenders, and other community groups that help entrepreneurs and their small businesses succeed.

The Clarksburg location serves Hancock, Brooke, Ohio, Marshall, Wetzel, Monongalia, Marion, Tyler, Doddridge, Pleasants, Wood, Ritchie, Harrison, Lewis, Preston, Taylor, Barbour, Upshur, Tucker, Randolph, Mineral, Grant, Pendleton, Hampshire, Hardy, Morgan, Berkeley, and Jefferson counties.

The Charleston location serves Wirt, Jackson, Mason, Putnam, Cabell, Lincoln, Wayne, Mingo, Logan, Boone, Kanawha, Roane, Calhoun, Gilmer, Braxton, Clay, Fayette, Raleigh, Wyoming, McDowell, Mercer, Summers, Monroe, Webster, Greenbrier, Pocahontas, and Nicholas counties.

Examples of educational programs and events include Veteran Business Q&A, Access to Capital, Basics of Federal Government Contracting, and Resources for Small Businesses.

320 West Pike Street
Suite 330
Clarksburg, West Virginia 26301
Phone: 304-623-5631

West Virginia Small Business Administration SBA website

Additional location:
405 Capitol Street
Suite 412
Charleston, West Virginia 25301
Phone: 304-347-5220

A nonprofit organization, West Virginia Women Work empowers women with essential job skills training, paving the way for promising careers.

The primary focus of the organization’s activities is to help women explore, train, and secure employment in nontraditional occupations, especially the skilled trades. They offer pre-apprenticeship training in construction and manufacturing, mentorship, and workforce support to businesses, unions, and organizations that employ or serve women.

The SkillUp program is designed to give you essential career skills in a condensed format. It offers:

• Free Enrollment: SkillUp is completely free and open to all women.

• Flexible Timing: Morning and afternoon classes in the first week and evening classes in the second week.

• Expert-Led Instruction: Industry professionals bring real-world experience to the classroom.

• Immediate Impact: Walk away with practical skills you can apply right away.

Morgantown Headquarters
201 New Jersey Street
Morgantown, West Virginia 26501
Phone: 304.598.0114

Kanawha Valley Location
3601 James Street
Charleston, West Virginia 25387

West Virginia Women Work website

The West Virginia SBDC is a nationally recognized resource for business consulting, providing no-cost business coaching and low-cost training to new and existing businesses. It plays a critical role in helping small businesses start, grow, and thrive.

Most staff members have direct small business experience, whether they were raised in family businesses, worked for small businesses in the past, or own their own small businesses. They understand the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship.

Business coaching services include:

• Sales and Marketing

• Funding

• Business Planning and Management

• Technology Commercialization

• Human Resources

• Succession Planning

• Cybersecurity

• Financial Analysis

• International Trade

• Government Contracting

• Disaster Recovery

WV SBDC Lead Center
State Capitol Complex
1900 Kanawha Boulevard, East
Building 3, Suite 600
Charleston, West Virginia 25305
Phone: 888-982-7232

West Virginia Small Business Development Center WV SBDC website

Whether you are in the planning stages, or are ready to take your business to the next level, SCORE West Virginia provides the guidance you need with free mentoring and low-cost training.

Volunteers are successful real-world business professionals who share their expertise to help existing and startup businesses succeed. They are experts with experience in areas such as accounting, finance, human resources, consulting, import/export, law, operations, production, retail, wholesale, manufacturing, sales, marketing, management, business plan preparation, strategic planning, and many other disciplines.

SCORE West Virginia provides:

• volunteer mentors who share their expertise across many industries.

• free, confidential business mentoring in person, via email, or by video.

• free business tools, templates, and tips.

• inexpensive or free business workshops (locally) and webinars (online 24/7).

1116 Smith Street
Suite 311
Charleston, West Virginia 25301
Phone: 304-347-5463

SCORE West Virginia website

The Upshur County Development Authority is a local organization dedicated to helping businesses in the county grow. They offer a variety of services, including business counseling, marketing assistance, and access to financing. They also host events and workshops that help small business owners network and learn about new opportunities.

The staff at the Upshur County Development Authority Innovation Center can provide invaluable guidance and assistance in opening and growing your small business.

21 East Main Street
Suite 101
Buckhannon, West Virginia 26201
Phone: 304.472.1757

Upshur County Economic Development website

The U.S. Small Business Administration helps small businesses get the funding they need. Funding resources include:

• Loans: Start or expand your business with loans guaranteed by the SBA.

• Investment capital: Find an investor for your business. Investors make both debt and equity investments.

• Disaster assistance: Get help after a disaster with low-interest disaster loans.

• Surety bonds: Protect your work and your client with an SBA-guaranteed surety bond.

• Grants: Look for government grants that help businesses do scientific research and development.

U.S. Small Business Administration SBA Funding website

Backed by world class technology leaders, Fortune-class companies, and venture investors, Vantage Ventures is an initiative of the John Chambers College of Business and Economics at West Virginia University. It’s goal is to launch high impact, scalable businesses that tackle complex challenges.

Fueled by the Chambers College of Business and Economics, Vantage Ventures enables entrepreneurs to build high impact, scalable businesses.

John Chambers College of Business and Economics
83 Beechurst Avenue
PO Box 6025
Morgantown, West Virginia 26505
Phone: 304-293-4092

West Virginia University John Chambers College of Business and Economics website

The Master of Business Administration (MBA) program at Wheeling University (WU) is one of the region’s oldest and most established graduate business program.

As an applied, online program, the WU MBA program is designed for busy professionals who want to excel in their current careers or take their businesses to the next level.

The online MBA program is designed to meet the needs of students who wish to complete their master’s degree while continuing to handle work and family responsibilities.

316 Washington Avenue
Wheeling, West Virginia 26003
Phone: 304-243-2000

Wheeling University Master of Business Administration website

The University of Charleston School of Business is distinguished by how it takes advantage of its location near Charleston’s business district to engage its students as partners in the learning process with top-level executives from national, regional, and local firms.

The University’s Entrepreneurship Program helps you develop an understanding of business ventures in all phases – including conception, launch, and sustainability. It places a strong emphasis on fostering innovative and interdisciplinary problem-solving skills, equipping you with the ability to identify viable business opportunities, secure essential financial resources, and effectively reach target markets using the dynamic business model canvas. You will develop a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted aspects that drive entrepreneurial success.

2300 MacCorkle Avenue South East
Charleston, West Virginia 25304
Phone: 800-995-4682

University of Charleston School of Business website

West Virginia Executive is the state’s premier business publication, providing in-depth business news coverage and highlighting growth and development across the Mountain State.

Through in-depth editorials it sheds a light on the state’s success stories as a way of encouraging current business leaders and aspiring leaders.

Published quarterly, the publication is distributed to decision makers in West Virginia including CEOs, CFOs, COOs, business owners, politicians, and educators.

Terminal Building
8 Capitol Street
Suite 200
Charleston, West Virginia 25301
Phone: 304-941-0600

West Virginia Executive Magazine website

The State Journal covers business, law, legislature, tourism, energy, and much more for business owners and local leaders in West Virginia.

Areas of editorial focus include Business and Politics, World Business News, State of NCWV, Healthcare, Energy and Industry, Technology, and Who's Who in West Virginia Business.

324 Hewes Avenue
PO Box 2000
Clarksburg, West Virginia 26301
Phone: 800-982-6034

The State Journal West Virginia News website