May 1, 2025 – Charleston, WV – Advantage Valley will host a free childcare start-up business workshop on May 6th in Kanawha County as part of its Fostering Advantages for Start-Ups & Entrepreneurial Resurgence in WV (FASTER WV) program.
This workshop, supported by grant funding from the Appalachian Regional Commission, is designed to help prospective childcare providers navigate the steps and resources needed to start or expand a childcare center, family care home, or family care center in West Virginia. This is the third workshop in Advantage Valley’s childcare business series, which launched in March in Jackson County and will continue across the nine-county region through November, concluding in Mason County.
“Childcare access is a significant barrier to workforce participation,” said Terrell Ellis, President and CEO of Advantage Valley. “With a growing number of job opportunities across our region, it’s vital that we support those interested in starting childcare businesses. We’re proud to offer these sessions to connect people with the information, funding, and partners they need to succeed.”
The Kanawha County workshop will take place at 6:30 p.m. on May 6th at the Connect CCR&R Office (1 Players Club Dr, Charleston, WV 25311). This free session will feature presentations from key partners. Participants can expect to learn about:
- Connect Resource and Referral – Offering traveling education resources, program planning tools, and support for childcare center layout and design.
- Kanawha-Charleston Health Department – Guidance on required permits and inspections to meet state and local health regulations.
- West Virginia State Fire Marshal’s Office – Insight into fire code compliance and preparing your facility for inspection.
- Advantage Valley – Overview of the technical assistance, mini-grants, and loan programs available through the FASTER WV initiative.
- Wonderschool and WV Small Business Development Center – Business coaching, website assistance, and marketing resources for new childcare businesses.
“Advantage Valley is a resource not just for childcare businesses, but for all entrepreneurs,” Ellis added. “Through this platform, we’re not only highlighting the financial and business development support available, but also helping prospective providers understand the practical realities of launching a childcare facility. At our past two events, we’ve seen strong interest—including from individuals looking to expand into West Virginia from Kentucky. Many attendees were surprised to learn that one of the largest potential expenses stems from ensuring that buildings and sites meet code requirements. Facilities should be reviewed by both the health department and the fire marshal before signing any lease agreements. This has been an important takeaway for attendees, helping them avoid unexpected costs and better prepare for success in the childcare sector.”
Existing childcare providers interested in expanding or enhancing their operations are encouraged to participate. Register for the free workshop on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/advantage-valley-55321568063
For more information, visit www.advantagevalley.com.
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Advantage Valley, Inc. is a regional economic development organization whose mission is to grow economic opportunity in the Charleston-Huntington Metro Area by increasing investment in the region, leveraging resources, and building collaboration among community stakeholders.