STATE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT RESOURCES

The Abilities Fund
Centerville Office
410 N 18th St
Centerville, IA 52544-1823
Telephone: 641-856-2173
Toll Free: 888-222-8943
Fax: 641-856-3101

Iowa City Office
332 South Linn Street, Suite #17
Iowa City, IA 52240
Telephone: 319-338-2521
Toll Free: 866-720-3863
Fax: 319-338-2528
URL: http://www.abilitiesfund.org/

"This summer The Abilities Fund, together with a national lending partner, will launch a nationwide direct loan program for entrepreneurs with disabilities. In 45 states, loan guarantees will also be available to as a means to secure loans for entrepreneurs. Flexible terms and competitive interest rates for microloans ranging from $500 - $25,000 will be offered.

In support of new microlending services, The Abilities Fund will be expanding its online presence to include training and technical assistance. Soon, people with disabilities nationwide will have 24-hour access to features such as Feasibility First ©, business plan development, and financial planning for business startup -- all of which are resources designed to prepare entrepreneurs with disabilities for self-employment."

Biztech, the Business and Technology Community Center of Jefferson County
401 S. Fairfax Avenue, Ranson, WV 25438
Phone: (304) 728-3051, ext. 252
Fax: (304) 728-3068
E-mail: ng@jctc.org
URL: http://www.jcda.net/index.htm

"Business today requires a new level of flexible work space, designed with your needs in mind, one that can provide a technology-friendly environment. BizTech caters to these special demands with fully equipped, turnkey computer workstations, a conference room, videoconferencing, color and laser printing, copying, faxing and scanning services, and friendly, trained staff support."

Center for Economic Options, Inc.
West Virginia Microbusiness Center
214 Capitol Street, Suite 200, Charleston, WV 25321-0191
Phone: (304) 345-1298
Fax: (304) 342-0641
E-mail: info@economicoptions.org
URL: http://www.centerforeconomicoptions.org/

"The Center for Economic Options is a non-profit, statewide, community-based organization that promotes opportunities to develop the economic capacity of West Virginia's rural citizens, particularly women, and communities. The Center creates alternative approaches to economic development - such as networks of home-based business entrepreneurs - and works with communities to help build support for small and micro-businesses."

Charleston Enterprise Center (CEC)
1116 Smith Street, Charleston, WV 25301
Phone: (304) 340-4250
Fax: (304) 340-4275
E-mail: pagreen@charleston-wv.com
URL: http://www.charleston-wv.com

"Charleston Enterprise Center is a non-profit organization that provides networking, help with Access to Loan Funds, and federal procurement."

Going Into Business in West Virginia (Note: PDF file; 107 Pages)
URL: http://www.sbdcwv.org/pdf/sbdcgoingintobus.pdf

The Kanawha Institute for Social Research & Action, Inc. (KISRA)
124 Marshall Avenue, Dunbar, WV 25064
Phone: (304) 768-8924
URL: http://www.kisra.org/index.htm

"IDAs, or Individual Development Accounts, are special matched savings accounts designed to help families and individuals of modest means establish a pattern of regular saving and, ultimately, purchase a “productive asset.” A “productive asset” is something of value that is likely to return substantial long-term benefits to its owner-- benefits like security, stability and opportunities for more income. WV Asset Development Initiative (WVADI) participants may use their savings and match money toward any of three productive assets: a home, a small business or a post-secondary education."

Lightstone Foundation and Community Development Corporation
HC 63 Box 73, Moyers, WV, USA 26815
Phone: (304) 249-5200
Fax: (304) 249-5310
E-mail: lfi@access.mountain.net
URL: http://www.lightstone.org/

"Lightstone Community Development Corporation enhances the social, economic, and environmental vitality of West Virginia and Virginia rural mountain communities by supporting sustainable enterprises."

Ohio Valley Industrial and Business Development Corporation
Contact: Terry Burkhart
12th and Chapline Streets, Wheeling, WV 26003
Phone: (304) 232-7722
URL: http://www.ovibdc.com/

"The RED team can help you locate real estate, financing for your business, and will help to make your business successful in our region."

Unlimited Future, Inc.
1650 Eight Avenue, Huntington, WV 25714
Phone: (304) 697-3007
Fax: (304) 522-0367
E-mail: ufi@access.net.com
URL: http://www.unlimitedfuture.org/

"Our Mission is to provide for start-up and emerging businesses, a not-for-profit business development center which creates an environment for entrepreneurial success by providing a physical facility, education, and operational support, including the expertise of a network of advisors. The center is designed to assist participating businesses, especially minority businesses, in their efforts to reduce overhead expenses, compete effectively in markets, and create jobs."

The Washington County Council on Economic Development (Also serves portions of West Virginia)
40 South Main Street, Lower Level, Washington, PA 15301
Phone: (724) 225-8223
Fax: (724) 225-8202
E-mail: wcced@pulsenet.com
URL: http://www.washingtoncountypa.org/

"The Washington County Council on Economic Development was formed in 1989 to provide solutions to the economic problems that faced the county in the absence of major industry which once was the region’s lifeblood. WCCED has been a dynamic Gap Loan Finance and a Small Business Microlender in rural Southwestern Pennsylvania and portions of West Virginia since 1993."

West Virginia Department of Economic Development
Capitol Complex, Bldg. 6, Rm. 553
1900 Washington Street East, Charleston, West Virginia, 25305-0311
Phone: (304) 558-2234 or (800) 982-3386
Fax: (304) 558-0449
E-mail: wvdo@wvdo.org
URL: http://www.wvdo.org/

• WV Business Assistance
  URL: http://www.wvdo.org/business/index.html

West Virginia Secretary of State/Starting a Business in West Virginia
URL: http://www.wvsos.com/common/startbusiness.htm

West Virginia Small Business Development Center
Program Lead Center, Capitol Complex, 1900 Kanawha Blvd., East, Bldg. 6, Room 652, Charleston, WV 25305-0311
Phone: (304) 558-2960
Toll Free: (888) WVA-SBDC (982-7232) in WV
FAX: (304) 558-0127
URL: http://www.sbdcwv.org/

"The WVSBDC promotes economic development through a program of practical, interrelated services, providing assistance to existing small businesses and the emerging entrepreneur. The WVSBDC provides many free services that assist you, the entrepreneur, in your business venture. If you need financial help and/or consulting, then you have come to the right place."