Business Certification Program

Advantage Valley has launched a program to help entrepreneurs obtain the business certification needed to grow their company. The program provides personalized coaching, educational resources, and financial assistance to simplify the certification process.

Geographic Scope: Boone, Cabell, Clay, Jackson, Kanawha, Lincoln, Mason, Putnam, and Wayne Counties, West Virginia

Program Goal: Offer 30 local businesses assistance as they work to earn a business certification

Target Applicants:

• Women entrepreneurs
• Entrepreneurs of color
• Veteran entrepreneurs
• Growth-oriented business owners
• Based in eligible counties

Value of Certification:

• Access to competitive set-aside corporate and/or government contracts
• Open up business opportunities to new markets
• Gain special attention from procurement professionals
• Stand out at trade shows and supply chain events by marketing certifications
• Networking and educational opportunities through certifying agencies

Program Services:

• One-on-one Coaching: Work with expert consultant Sammi Williams of 628 Digital Design (up to 10 hours per client)
• Certification Assessment: Learn which certifications are right for your business (State, Federal, or Third-Party)
• Tailored Guidance: Receive personalized advice through the certification process
• Opportunity Unlock: Unlock contracting opportunities through certification
• Post-Certification Support: Learn how to leverage certification for business growth
• Regular Workshops: Business Certification Workshops throughout the region to help maximize certification

Certification Types Supported:

• State certifications (Woman Owned, Minority Owned, Hispanic Owned, Veteran Owned)
• Federal certifications (8(a), WOSB, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned, Veteran-Owned)
• Third-Party certifications

Contact Information:

• Marjorie Cooke, Advantage Valley: Marjorie@advantagevalley.com or (304) 352-1165
• Boone County: Kris Mitchell, (304) 369-9127, director@boonecountywv.org
• Clay County or Kanawha County: Victoria Russo, (304) 340-4253, vrusso@charlestonareaalliance.org
• Cabell County or Wayne County: Michaela Williamson, (304) 525-1161, mwilliamson@hadco.org
• Jackson County: Veronica Lewis, (304) 372-1151, Veronica.lewis@jcda.org
• Lincoln County: Tommy Adkins, (304) 824-3838, tommy@lincolneda.com
• Mason County: Anna Rittenhouse, (304) 675-1497, Anna.rittenhouse@masoncounty.org
• Putnam County: Megan Lomax, (304) 757-0318, megan@pcda.org

Getting Started

1. Contact Your County Representative (listed above) or Marjorie Cooke at Advantage Valley
2. Register for Business Certification Workshop: Attend a Business Certification Workshop to learn more about the program
3. Work with Consultant: Upon enrollment, work with certification consultant Sammi Williams through the certification process
4. Receive Post-Certification Support: After certification is obtained, receive continued support to leverage the designation

Workshop Information

Regular Business Certification Workshops are hosted throughout the region. Workshops provide:
• Step-by-step guidance on obtaining certification
• Information on the importance of certification for business growth
• How to use certification to access contracting opportunities
• How to market your business to larger organizations and government agencies

For workshop dates and registration: Contact Marjorie Cooke at Marjorie@advantagevalley.com or (304) 352-1165