Roman Hodges presenting
the IV Lock, a plastic lock
that prevents hospital
patients from accessing
their IV injection ports.
coal-related job losses, the initiative cre-
ates jobs by offering technical assistance
to manufacturers and training in com-
munities across Southern West Virginia,
ultimately diversifying the economy by
helping to identify new customers and
train their workers. Targeted counties
include Boone, Cabell, Clay, Fayette,
Greenbrier, Kanawha, Lincoln, Logan,
McDowell, Mercer, Mingo, Monroe,
Nicholas, Pocahontas, Putnam, Raleigh,
Summers, Wayne, Webster and Wyoming.
As of December 4, 2017, RCBI had
distributed $45,000 of the Appalachian
Hatchery Initiative’s grant funding. This
particular grant is not limited to start-
up costs. Because some businesses have
already been established when they apply
for support, the funds can support their
International Organization for Standard-
ization (ISO) certification, for example,
which has the potential to help them
expand their efforts.
Taking the Next Step
Through RCBI’s TEN50 Accelerator
initiative, targeted to more established
business ventures, entrepreneurs can
pitch their business ideas directly to
potential investors. These entrepre-
neurs often start out giving an ESFO
presentation and are then referred to
TEN50 for further development after
their business has been established. The
TEN50 Business Accelerator provides
three months of free business coaching,
research and other perks that lead up to
a pitch session with venture capitalists.
A large contributor to the success of
the ESFO program is the wide range of
services and expertise RCBI has to offer,
Cope explains.
“It is not unusual for participants in
the ESFO program to migrate to or from
other RCBI offerings,” he says. “Our
shared manufacturing facilities in Hun-
tington, Charleston and Bridgeport pro-
vide high-end equipment to businesses
and individuals at affordable rates. Our
quality assurance team assists in ISO
and other certifications and training to
help small businesses qualify as part of a
supply chain. Our Apprenticeship Works
and customized training programs can
provide a much-needed pathway to ex-
pansion through education. Few partici-
pants take advantage of all of these pro-
grams, but most take advantage of more
than one offering from RCBI.”
RCBI’s variety of funding and service
programs is making a unique difference
for West Virginia’s business climate. With
the addition of more small businesses
and the creation of new jobs, the future
is looking up for Southern West Virginia
and the state as a whole.
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