A U G U S T--2 0 2 2

--WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT -

National CNC machining initiative attracts interest across region

---More than 100 individuals from across West Virginia, Ohio and Kentucky already have registered just this month to participate in CNC Machining Bootcamps offered by RCBI as part of America's Edge Cutting. The goal of the U.S. Department of Defense-backed initiative is to revitalize American manufacturing and ensure global competitiveness by creating a highly skilled workforce in the machine tools sector. ---The bootcamps include an online component and hands-on training at RCBI or one of its partner locations. Participants in the first bootcamp

completed in-person training Aug. 31 at RCBI’s Huntington Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center. A second cohort will begin Sept. 1. For more information or to enroll in the free manufacturing training, visit www.rcbi.org/cncbootcamps.

--SECOND CHANCES--

Training offers hope for workforce re-entry - ---Rocovery Works, an RCBI initiative to deliver training to formerly incarcerated individuals affected by the opiod epidemic, was the first step in David Myers's journey to find not just a job, but a career. Now the 30-year-old Hurricane native is serving a paid internship with RCBI and recently began his pursuit of a college degree. And his dreams don't stop there. As he says, "the sky's the limit!" Read the article

--SUCCESS STORY--

Lab develops instrument repair tools of note Roane County craftsman Gary Gini has learned a thing or two about musical instrument repair during his 35 years in the business. He's parlayed that knowledge into the Instrument Lab, a successful business he operates in Spencer with his wife Julie. Now, with the help of the team at RCBI, the business is expanding its line of innovative repair tools, which are sold across the United States and around the world. Read the article

- ENTREPRENEURIAL SUPPORT-

Inventors to gather in northcentral W.Va. --The West Virginia Inventors Society is hitting the road! Join us Oct. 11 on the campus of West Virginia University for a meeting of the minds. Hear inspiring stories from other inventors Network with like-minded folks Learn about inventor support services Tour Reynolds Hall, the new home of WVU's College of Business & Economics ---Registration is free at www.rcbi.org/wvinventorsoct2022. Read the article

- CELEBRATING CREATIVITY-

Register for the 2022 W.Va. Makes Festival  ---Calling all makers! Registration is open for the 2022 West Virginia Makes Festival, RCBI’s annual celebration of creativity and ingenuity. The event will take place Nov. 4 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the Huntington campus of Marshall University. ---The centerpiece of the festival will be a Design Challenge that provides makers of all ages the opportunity to demonstrate their ideas and skills and earn rewards – including cash prizes – for creativity. Festivities also will include special exhibits, demonstrations by artisans, innovative technologies, live music and hands-on activities for people of all ages. Learn how you can participate by visiting www.rcbi.org/wvmf2022.

--STEM EDUCATION--

RCBI to award drones to student teams ---For the second consecutive year, RCBI will award drone packages to groups of middle and high school students who agree to compete in West Virginia aerial robotics competitions. The drone giveaway is made possible through a grant from the NASA West Virginia Space Grant Consortium. RCBI's goal is to engage more young people in STEM learning through educational and entertaining activities. Register at www.rcbi.org/drone2022.

--GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT--

Pursuing federal contracts just got easier --fFederal contracting offers lucrative opportunities for manufacturers to expand operations. While West Virginia small businesses secured nearly $238,000,000 in government contracts in 2021, this figure represents less than two-tenths of a percent of all small business awards. To boost the state's share of the pie, RCBI has hired a full-time specialist to connect individual West Virginia small businesses to specific contracting opportunities. Read the article

--STUDENT ENTREPRENEURS--

Business Plan Competition open for entries ---The 17th-Annual West Virginia Statewide Collegiate Business Plan Competition is open for entries! The event offers college students the unique opportunity to bring their business ideas to life. The competition is open to full- and part-time undergraduate and graduate students in West Virginia. Participants will have the opportunity to pitch their ideas to investors and possibly secure startup funding. ---Round 1 entries must be submitted by Nov. 11, 2022, at noon. Learn more at www.businessplanwv.com. Questions? Contact Tara St. Clair, director of operations for the Encova Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at West Virginia University, at tara.stclair@mail.wvu.edu.

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

Sept. 1: Get Started: A CO.STARTERS Workshop 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. online Participants will learn to use the CO.STARTERS Canvas to evaluate their startup business plans and take advantage of customer feedback to focus those plans, then map out the next steps. More information https:// Sept. 7: Small BIz Series – Ask an Expert noon to 1 p.m. online This installment will explore legal issues related specifically to entrepreneurship and small business ownership. More information  Sept. 8: How to Read a Federal Solicitation 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. online Government procurement specialists with the Regional Contracting Assistance Center will provide a step-by-step guide to reading federal solicitations. More information Sept. 13: Getting Registered into the System for SAMS 11 a.m. to noon online The first step in pursing federal contracts is to register with SAMS. In this free West Virginia Women’s Business Center webinar, experts will guide participants through the registration process, explain where to get additional contracting assistance, as well as answer questions. More information Sept. 13: Getting the Biggest Bang for Your Marketing Buck noon to 12:45 p.m. online Experts with the U.S. Small Business Administration will present cost-effective marketing strategies in this free online workshop. Learn how to get the biggest bang for your buck from online marketing. More information Sept. 13: WV Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Meeting 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. online Join the monthly meeting to connect and identify opportunities for improvement in aiding entrepreneurs across the state. The workshop brings together key state providers to share best practices and inspire collaborations. More information Sept. 20: 3 Steps to StartUp “Coaching Success – Technical Assistance for WV Entrepreneurs” 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. online Learn about the resources available in West Virginia to help entrepreneurs “Plan It, Price It, Protect It, and Pitch It.” More information If you have upcoming events that you'd like us to share, please email details to Mike Friel at mfriel@rcbi.org.

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