Connect with the right people to grow your business.
Building a strong network can be the key to unlocking success for your business. With rePOWER, you'll have access to networking opportunities and quarterly workshops with our partners in the ecosystem. Connect with like-minded entrepreneurs and industry experts to gain valuable insights, advice, and support as you take your company to the next level.
PARTNER SPOTLIGHT: The Kricker Innovation Hub
David Kilroy (Director), Derrick Parker (Program Coordinator),
Josh Lawson (Entrepreneurship Program Facilitator),
and Chelsea Watkins (AmeriCorps Vista)
In downtown Portsmouth, The Kricker Innovation Hub serves all Southern Ohio and parts of Kentucky and West Virginia helping entrepreneurs grow and bring their ideas to tomorrow’s market. Although we wanted to focus our spotlight on Josh Lawson, the Entrepreneurship Program Facilitator, we felt that it was much needed to share a photo of them all because we appreciate all the support they give us.
Meet Josh Lawson
Josh is new to the Entrepreneurship Program Facilitator role but has already proven to be an asset. Being a local business owner himself, solopreneur, and author, Josh understands the needs of entrepreneurs. Josh is responsible for developing and delivering programs to the community. At this time Josh is heading up our rePOWER: Ignite Business Bootcamp and Pitch Competition by providing curriculum and support to seven counties in Central Appalachia. He has been crucial in getting everyone up to speed, training other facilitators and mentors to make our first regional competition a success. The ECDI Women’s Business Center of Central Appalachia @ SSU is fortunate to have him as a partner!
Piece of advice from Josh:
"Embrace failure. It's the best way to learn."
Community Improvement Corporation of Belmont County
A non-profit corporation that has been dedicated to economic development since 1962. Their mission is to create, advance, encourage, and promote industrial, economic, commercial, research, workforce capacity, and civic development.
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Offer workshop trainings and one-on-one assistance to entrepreneurs and small businesses
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Connect our clients to resources across the state
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Assist entrepreneurs and small businesses find locations for their start-ups
Contact Crystal Lorimor at (740) 695-9678
ECDI Women's Business Center of Central Appalachia
The WBC of Central Appalachia is committed to the growth and success of women-owned small businesses by providing access to a suite of small business services at all stages of planning, development, and growth.
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Women's Business Center
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Access to ECDI lending
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Shawnee State University, Kricker Innovation Hub
Call: (740) 970-0727
Huntington Area Development
Council (HADCO)
HADCO is an Accredited Economic Development Organization (AEDO) whose mission is to attract new employers to Cabell and Wayne Counties, West Virginia, to retain and expand existing employers, and to grow new businesses within our market. They assist in developing and marketing the assets of the greater Huntington area to new and expanding businesses as they seek to add jobs and new investment and to improve the economic landscape of the community.
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Quick access to multiple resource agencies that offer financial and technical assistance for small businesses and startups
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Assistance accessing local, state, and federal lending programs
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Help with accessing high level demographic and market research tools
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Limited business planning assistance
Contact Adam Phillips at (304) 525-1161
Ohio University Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
Providing no-cost technical assistance to small businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs in Southeast Ohio. Whether you have an existing business or are in the startup stage, their counselors work confidentially and one-on-one with you to customize services to your needs.
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Access to capital
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Customized services
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Training and development
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Export assistance
Call: (740) 593-1797
Shawnee State University
Shawnee State University is a leader in regional entrepreneurship through their Kricker Innovation Hub in downtown Portsmouth. This is a landmark facility that promotes entrepreneurship, innovation, and creativity in the region.
Call: (740) 351-3205
Economic and Community Development Institute (ECDI)
ECDI is fiercely dedicated to assuring every entrepreneur – regardless of where they came from, where they live, their gender or their race – has access to funding and the business mentoring services they need to build a small business that thrives.
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Small business loans
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Entrepreneur education
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One-on-one business support
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Business Incubation and Innovation Center (BIIC)
Call: (614) 559-0115
Gallia County Chamber of Commerce
They promote, support and strengthen business and economic development throughout the county and provide leadership through networking and education to improve the overall business environment for chamber members.
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Insurance discounts
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Listing of business on website
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Mass email/e-blast distribution
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Quarterly educational events free to attend
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Training opportunities
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Sponsorships opportunities
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Networking opportunities
Contact Bob Hood at (740) 446-0596
Jackson County Economic Development Partnership
The Jackson County Economic Development Partnership (JCEDP) is the lead economic development agency for Jackson County Ohio and its municipalities. Founded in 1989, JCEDP is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit economic development organization that functions as a public-private partnership. JCEDP provides support to local government and Jackson County’s incumbent private sector companies for the purpose of expansion, retention, and attraction of new business investment. JCEDP is a founding member of the Joint Economic Development Initiative of Southern Ohio (JEDISO) and is served by the Ohio Southeast Economic Development (OhioSE) JobsOhio network partner.
Ohio Small Business Development Center SBDC at The OSU South Centers
Comprehensive business management and education services. Free, confidential, in-depth, one-on-one counseling and low- or no-cost training.
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Business start-up planning and training
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Financial analysis
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Strategic marketing planning
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Market research
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Loan packaging assistance
Phone: (740) 289-1605
Email: bapst.4@osu.edu
University of Rio Grande and Rio Grande Community College
As America's unique private/public institution of higher education, Rio's provides learners the opportunity to attain a high-quality, high-value education. Our personalized, learner-centered environment promotes successful lives, careers, and responsible citizenship.
Call: (800) 282-7201