Advantage Valley Offering Support for Certification
Funded by Truist
Purpose: The purpose of this mini-grant program is to increase the number of certified Woman-owned (WBE), Minority (MBE), and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE) in WV by defraying the costs associated with the certification process. A limited number of grants are available on a first come basis.
Eligible Applicant: qualified women, minority or disadvantaged businesses with annual revenues under $1 million or that meet the SBA size test for their industry NAICS code.
Grant Amount: up to $500 in costs will be reimbursed upon successful completion of the grant requirements
For Business Coaching and Technical Assistance Contact:
Tyler Brandstetter, FASTER WV Business Coach at WV Small Business Development Center:
Tyler.l.brandstetter@wv.gov or (304) 553-9692
In the counties of Boone, Braxton, Clay, Kanawha, Lincoln, Putnam
Jules Bills, FASTER WV Business Coach at Unlimited Future, Inc.
jules@unlimitedfuture.org or (304) 697-3007
In the counties of Cabell and Wayne
Nora Myers, Director of WV Women’s Business Center
nora@wvwomen.org or (304) 825-5000
Process:
- Review the requirements for certification with the appropriate certifying agency:
Women’s Business Enterprise Council Ohio River Valley (WBEC ORV) – Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) certification – https://www.wbecorv.org/about-wbecorv
Tri-State Minority Supplier Diversity Council (TSMSDC) – Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) certification – https://tsmsdc.com/
Small Business Administration Contracting Assistance Programs Program for Disadvantaged Businesses – https://www.sba.gov/federal-contracting/contracting-assistance-programs/8a-business-development-program#section-header-2
- If you need assistance, call one of the business coaches at the agencies listed above.
- Fill out the mini-grant application for pre-approval: Mini-Grant applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until funding has been exhausted. Fill out the grant application and Advantage Valley will pre-approve your application. The applicant will then have 6 months to obtain certification in order to be eligible for reimbursement. Submit application to:
Terrell Ellis, Executive Director
Advantage Valley, Inc.
(304) 352-1165
- Attend a Financing Growth Training– Once pre-approved, attend a 1-hour virtual “Growing Your Business” seminar hosted by BB&T, now Truist with a Q&A session on financing contracts and growth. Register for one of the following sessions by contacting Marlo Long, SVP, CRA & Community Development BB&T, Now Truist Office: (304) 353-1682 Mobile: (304) 549-1570 Email: long@truist.com
- Final Approval & Reimbursement –Submit application for certification to the appropriate certifying agency, and provide Advantage Valley with the receipts for all expenses related to the certifying process up to $500. Also, provide the date of attendance at the Growing Your Business workshop. Send information to the address below and allow 4-6 weeks for reimbursement upon final approval. Submit all documentation to:
Terrell Ellis, Executive Director
Advantage Valley, Inc.
(304) 352-1165