Regional Focus
COMPILED BY JENNIFER JETT PREZKOP
Photo by Kent Mason.
U.S. SBA Awards TechConnect West Virginia
$125,000 FAST Grant
TechConnect West Virginia, in partnership with the West
Virginia Small Business Development Center, has been awarded
a Federal and State Technology Partnership Program (FAST)
grant by the U.S. Small Business Administration in the amount
of $125,000 to help West Virginia research and development
(R&D)-focused small businesses apply for and win federal
Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business
Technology Transfer (STTR) grants.
TechConnect’s FAST grant, entitled Bridging the Ecosystem
in Science & Technology in West Virginia Program, will raise
awareness of the benefits of applying for the federal SBIR/STTR
programs while providing financial and technical assistance
to help companies and researchers do so.
“Everyone agrees we need to grow our economy, and spurring
West Virginia’s next generation of R&D-focused small businesses
to apply for the federal SBIR/STTR programs is a smart way
to do it,” says Anne Barth, executive director of TechConnect.
“Researchers can leverage federal money and now state money
to test new products and services with the goal of establishing
new businesses and creating jobs.”
Polish Cosmetics Manufacturer Opens First
U.S. Commercial Office in West Virginia
A company that has made skincare products in Poland for
more than 30 years is locating its first branch in the U.S. BANDI
Laboratories recently celebrated the opening of its initial sales
and distribution center in Martinsburg, WV.
The sales and distribution operation will be in The Hub, a
business center and community space in downtown Martinsburg.
BANDI plans to establish a U.S. manufacturing facility within
the next five years.
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WEST VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE
“We are happy to be here in the beautiful state of West Virginia,”
says CEO Joanna Draniak-Kicińska. “We appreciate all the
help and positive motivation we received from the state and
local authorities. We strongly believe this humble beginning
will grow into a thriving business and a significant contribution
to local society.”
Catholic Charities to Expand
Recovery Support Services in Huntington
For those suffering from addiction or mental health issues,
one of the greatest obstacles to recovery is finding the support
they need. Thanks to a grant from the Pallottine Foundation of
Huntington, WV, Catholic Charities West Virginia (CCWVa)
is working to remove those obstacles.
The grant, totaling $275,980, will be used to provide financial
assistance for clients to help them reach their educational
or career goals. The funding will also support two full-time
positions at CCWVa’s Center for Community Learning and
Advancement located in Huntington.
Digital Relativity Makes Inc. 5000 List
for Second Year in a Row
Inc. magazine has recognized Digital Relativity, a full-service
marketing agency with offices in Fayetteville and Charleston,
WV, as one of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies
for the second year in a row.
“We are honored to be included on this reputable list for a
second time, and we’re proud of our skilled team that works hard
every day to build something together,” says Digital Relativity
Founder and CEO Pat Strader. “This is proof that the path we
have taken with the business was the right choice—gather a team
of talented individuals, provide them the tools, support and
opportunities they need to succeed, and great things can happen.”