WEST VIRGINIA RECORD

CHARLESTON -– A Vision Shared, working in collaboration with the West Virginia Small Business Development Centers (WVSBDC), has announced the launch of www.WVBizBuilder.com, a project that will network businesses and promote West Virginia economic growth.

This project is an opportunity for businesses and service providers to market their goods and services to entrepreneurs and businesses statewide. When complete, this online tool will help entrepreneurs of all sizes, and the public, to quickly find providers for necessary services to grow their businesses.

A Vision Shared and the WVSBDC are encouraging businesses of all sizes, service providers and organizations, such as chambers of commerce, across the state to register so they will be included in the completed directory.

"At the WVSBDC, we work with clients each day who are looking for reputable companies and service providers to help with all aspects of their businesses," said M.E. Yancosek Gamble, WVSBDC state director. "WVBizBuilder.com would provide that opportunity as well as give our clients a chance, at no charge, to market their own products and services."

To register, organizations simply log on to www.WVBizBuilder.com and complete a short form about goods and services offered by them. Registration is free. The information will be compiled into an on-line directory that will be accessible through various state government, non-profit and service provider websites, as well as www.WVBizBuilder.com.

Along with being a resource to the general public, the West Virginia SBDC will utilize the directory to help their business clients. The directory will become one of the tools used to find businesses for referral.

"By having such a great resource at your fingertips, new businesses start out with the services they need to be successful. And, it will bring new customers to those businesses that have been around for years," said Jenny Fertig, A Vision Shared Direct Rural Strategies Team Leader and Community and Economic Development Program Leader for West Virginia State University Extension.

Businesses and organizations desiring to participate in the www.WVBizBuilder.com directory need to act quickly to be a part of the initial phase of the project. The deadline for completing the survey is March 1. Project organizers are anticipating high registration due to there being no cost for participants and high demand for such a directory in the state, so they recommend registering as soon as possible.

For those who fail to register, there will be an opportunity in the future at dates not yet determined.

A Vision Shared is currently mailing out letters to businesses and other organizations, such as chambers of commerce, across the state to remind them to register for the www.WVBizBuilder.com service, which is accepting registration through March 1, 2008.

To learn more about this new program, visit www.WVBizBuilder.com. If you are unable to access the Internet, contact Nikki Williams at (304) 346-7635 for more information or to request a hard copy of the registration survey.