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Business Certification Program

Advantage Valley Inc

Foundation Grants for Women-Owned BusinessesGrants for Black-Owned BusinessesGrants for Minority-Owned BusinessesGrants for Veteran-Owned Businesses

Funding Amount

Varies

Deadline

Rolling / Open

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

Business Certification Program

Overview: 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

    • How to Apply

    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

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    Focus Areas & Funding Uses

    Fields of Work

    women-owned-businessesblack-owned-businessesminority-businessesveteran-businessessmall-businesses

    Categories

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