Charleston, WV. February 25, 2025 – Advantage Valley will launch its twelve-location childcare business workshop series in Jackson County this March, spanning nine counties throughout the year. Supported by grant funding from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), Advantage Valley, a nine-county regional economic development organization, will host a Fostering Advantages for Start-Ups & Entrepreneurial Resurgence in WV (FASTERWV) business workshop for individuals interested in starting childcare centers. The workshop will take place in Jackson County on March 6 at 6:30 p.m. at the Jackson County Development Authority Office, located at 167 Seneca Drive, Ripley, WV 25271.
“Jackson County and the Mid-Ohio Valley region have experienced significant job growth and new opportunities over the past year,” said Terrell Ellis, President & CEO of Advantage Valley. “Our research shows that 47 percent of children under six in Jackson County lack adequate access to childcare. Childcare accessibility must not be a barrier preventing residents from pursuing the growing opportunities in the Mid-Ohio Valley.” Due to this growth and the current gap in childcare resources, Advantage Valley will offer this free workshop to provide resources for individuals interested in starting a childcare facility—whether in their home or a larger center—or expanding their existing operations.
“If you have a clear goal or are simply exploring the idea of starting a childcare business, we encourage you to attend these workshops,” said Terrell Ellis, President & CEO of Advantage Valley. “This is an opportunity to learn the first steps and access the resources available in Jackson County.”
The FASTERWV childcare business workshop will provide a comprehensive overview of key areas essential for starting a childcare business, whether as a family care center/home or a childcare center. Advantage Valley will lead the sessions, guiding participants through the business resources, technical assistance, and mini-grant opportunities available through the FASTER WV program.
Additional presentations will be provided by Wonderschool, a private childcare development firm focused on providing business coaching to childcare start-ups, local health departments, the local childcare resource and referral agencies, and fire marshals, covering critical topics such as licensing requirements, health and safety regulations, business operations, and support services for new childcare providers.
“These workshops will help those interested in starting a childcare business what the first steps are and what contacts they need to have to start,” said Ellis. “We understand taking that leap to be an entrepreneur can be intimidating. We want those who are considering starting a childcare business to know Advantage Valley and these other organizations are here to support their success.”
The first series of childcare workshops, which are free to attend, will be held at the following locations:
- Jackson County at 6:30 p.m.– March 6th at Jackson County Development Authority – 167 Seneca Drive, Ripley WV 25271
- Putnam County at 6:30 p.m. – April 10th at Area 34 – 7093, 971 WV-34, Hurricane, WV 25526
- Kanawha County at 6:30 p.m. – May 6th at the Connect CCR&R Office (1 Players Club Dr, Charleston, WV 25311)
“These workshops will help those interested in starting a childcare business what the first steps are and what contacts they need to have to start,” said Ellis. “We understand taking that leap to be an entrepreneur can be intimidating. We want those who are considering starting a childcare business to know Advantage Valley and these other organizations are here to support their success.”
Additional workshops will be held in the following counties Boone County (June 17th), Lincoln County (July 24th), Clay County (August 12th), Wayne County (September 18th), Cabell County (October 2nd), and Mason County (November 1st). Additional information will be provided on the future workshops at www.advantagevalley.com.
Advantage Valley has several resources for those interested in starting a childcare business. Please visit our website for information on our childcare start-up resource guides: https://advantagevalley.com/entrepreneurship/childcare/
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