J U N E--2 0 2 2

--CONTRACTING OPPORTUNITIES--

Learn how to supply a major manufacturer - RCBI and Advantage Valley are teaming again to offer another in their series of events to connect small business suppliers with the state's major manufacturers. The virtual Chemours Supply Chain Expo on Aug. 10 will provide small businesses with information about becoming suppliers to the large chemical maker while introducing Chemours to local companies capable of providing goods and services. Read the article

--SUCCESS STORY--

Smith Fastener reduces cost, time at RCBI From its South Charleston manufacturing facility, Smith Fastener, a Motor City Industrial Company, produces precision parts for customers across the country. To fulfill a recent order for its largest customer, the Mountain State manufacturer leveraged RCBI's advanced technology to drastically reduce production time and avoid a big financial loss on brass parts used in the mining industry. Read the article

- EDA UNIVERSITY CENTER-

Stone to lead statewide entrepreneurial effort Deacon Stone has been chosen as director of the West Virginia EDA University Center. In his new role, he is responsible for leveraging statewide higher education resources to support and promote entrepreneurship and economic development in the region. West Virginia's EDA Center, with headquarters at Marshall University's RCBI, is one of 66 such support centers nationwide. Read the article

--CONTRACT PROCUREMENT--

Grants to help businesses expand opportunity  Want to expand your woman-owned or minority-owned company’s visibility among decision makers in the corporate procurement arena? Advantage Valley is offering $500 mini grants to increase the number of certified woman-owned and minority-owned businesses in West Virginia by defraying the costs associated with the certification process. A limited number of grants are available on a first-come basis.  Learn more

--ENTREPRENEURSHIP--

RCBI transforms innovative ideas into realities What happens when you have a million-dollar idea but neither the technology nor expertise to transform it into reality? West Virginians can turn to Marshall University's Robert C. Byrd Institute (RCBI). Deputy Director Derek Scarbro highlights how RCBI helps entrepreneurs and established companies move innovative ideas from concept to market with top-notch equipment and expertise. Check out this feature by the West Virginia Department of Commerce's Daily304. Watch the video

--MAINTENANCE TECHNOLOGY--

Aviation program earns FAA certification The recently established Aviation Maintenance Technology program offered by Marshall University in partnership with Mountwest Community and Technical College has achieved FAA certification. This will allow the region’s only training program of this kind to begin enrolling students for fall 2022 classes. Graduates will earn a bachelor’s degree and FAA certifications in the in-demand field of aviation maintenance. Read the story

--STATE OF THE INDUSTRY--

Business owners & leaders: Offer your input The Alliance for the Economic Development of Southern West Virginia asks owners and operators of all West Virginia businesses to participate in the annual survey "Current Issues for West Virginia Small Business Leaders." The survey, which takes about five minutes to complete, will help decision makers better understand current issues and trends in small businesses in West Virginia and identify potential growth opportunities. Take the survey

--ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT--

Johnson promoted to SBDC state director Steve Johnson, a Huntington native and graduate of Marshall University, has been promoted to director of the West Virginia Small Business Development Center. Johnson most recently served as deputy director of the agency that connects state businesses at all stages of development to the resources they need to prosper. Read the story

--EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES--

RCBI is seeking instructors for new center RCBI's expansion of our career skills and customized training programs means we're hiring machinist instructors for our new Advanced Manufacturing Training Center in South Charleston. Become part of the innovative team working to ensure that West Virginia manufacturers have the skilled workforce they need to thrive. Job descriptions and applications

--IN CASE YOUR MISSED IT...-- From The Herald-Dispatch Youth explore STEM activities during RCBI camp Read the article 

U P C O M I N G-- E V E N T S

July 7: Entrepreneurial Resources for WV Small Business Owners 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. online Join guest speakers Tara St. Clair and Tyler Brandstetter as they discuss upcoming events and expansion opportunities for entrepreneurs in West Virginia. More information July 14: Government Contracting 101 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. online This intensive webinar will give you an overview of how your small business can enter the federal marketplace, including identifying your firm’s preparedness, how to get registered in SAM, finding federal opportunities, and tools for in-depth market research. More information July 14: SBIR Online Bootcamp 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. online Do you have an idea or invention that can improve our country? If so, you could receive a portion of more than $3 billion offered each year through the Small Business Innovation Research Program to get your products into the marketplace. More information July 19: Understanding Intellectual Property 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Blue Ridge Community & Technical College This seminar is an intellectual property overview for students, faculty and businesses that will cover copyrights, patents, trademarks, trade secrets, ownership and licensing approaches for entrepreneurs, technology commercialization, privacy and security basics, and non-disclosure agreements. More information July 19: Huntington Regional Job Fair 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Huntington High School Looking for a new career? The Huntington Regional Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a regional job fair, with employers from Alcon, Assured Partners, TTA, Nesco, the U.S. Army and other local businesses that are hiring. More information July 21: How Your Business Can Benefit from Diversity Certification 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. online Learn how getting certified as a Woman-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE) or as a Minority-Owned Business Enterprise (MBE) can help you land government contacts and assist you on your entrepreneurship journey. More information July 27: Real Talk with Joe Kapp, President and Co-founder of the National Center for Resource Development. (NCRD) 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. online Discover actionable advice and strategies that may assist you in your own entrepreneurial journey during this Vantage Ventures interactive discussion. Speaker Joe Kapp will share his insights as a prominent entrepreneur in the startup ecosystem. More information If you have upcoming events that you'd like us to share, please email the information to Mike Friel at mfriel@rcbi.org.

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