The West Virginia Hive Network recognized area businesses and supporters for their high-level achievements and notable contributions at its annual open house.
“The entrepreneurial spirit was alive and well in 2021, regardless of the pandemic,” said Judy Moore, Executive Director of the West Virginia Hive. “Our work at the Hive puts us in communication and close working relationships with some of the most creative, hard-working, and tenacious people and their organizations – businesses, government entities, and social enterprises. Today we honor those who rose above the call of duty and captured our attention and appreciation.”
Brent Moye of RMB Racing, Inc. faced many challenges but never lost sight of his dream, becoming a fabricator in the aerospace industry. He is now working with Lockheed Martin to become a developmental supplier and has created five jobs in the process.
Mountain Steer Meat Company in White Sulphur Springs – Mountain Steer has consistently been optimistic in seeking new opportunities to grow their business and provide quality product to their community and those that surround them. From starting the business, to becoming a Hive client, to obtaining a Country Roads Angel Network investment, Frank Ford and James Tuckwiller have continued to exemplify the possibilities of entrepreneurship in southern West Virginia.
Dan Cox saw a need for upgraded telecommunication services in southern WV and created a solution for the problem, Cox Telecom. Fulfilling his vision, Cox Telecom is creating jobs. His successful completion of the Co.Starters Core program was a solid start for his vision and business plan.
Through grit and willpower, Sarah Gleason is bringing wholesome, unique, and locally conscious cuisine to her many enthusiastic customers. During the pandemic, Gleason opened Lucky Rivers Café and Catering. A recent diner left this review “An absolutely wonderful treasure hidden in downtown Hinton. The original gourmet food is perfection.”
Pinheads is more than just a fun center; it has become an important part of the community. During the pandemic, owner Alison Ibarra fed those at the free testing stations and started a local initiative to provide Wi-Fi to displaced students forced to do remote learning. Ibarra is also passionate about employing individuals in addiction recovery. As a recent graduate of the Communities of Healing Program, she is even more equipped to be an employer of those in their recovery journey.
The Region 4 team traditionally supports a 5-county region by providing solutions and public funding resources for growth-related challenges faced by communities in Southern WV. In 2020 they took on an untraditional challenge of applying for, and securing, the Appalachian Regional Commission Creating Communities of Healing POWER program to collaborate with Fruits of Labor, the WV Hive, and several other partners to establish a recovery to work program. This program is a growing success, with much credit due to Region 4 PDC’s efforts.
Tammy Jordan, president of Fruits of Labor, has been a partner and supporter of the WV Hive for several years. Since 2020 the Hive has been privileged to work closely with Jordan and Fruits of Labor as a partner in the Communities of Healing program. Fruits of Labor not only provides the proven model that the Communities of Healing program is based on, but serves multiple communities with exceptional food, a nationally recognized culinary program, and a strong belief that people can recover from addiction.
Jina Belcher, Executive Director of the New River Gorge Regional Development Authority, saluted the WV Hive and its award recipients. “I’m incredibly fortunate the WV Hive is a program of the NRGRDA. Reflecting on the last year of successes the Hive is celebrating today truly speaks to the entrepreneurial grit that Judy and the Hive team fully embody in their everyday work. It’s difficult to articulate how proud I am of Judy and her team for overcoming the challenges of the last year and consistently leveling up their impact on the small businesses and entrepreneurs they serve across their 12-county footprint. The stories of ideation, passion, persistence, and innovation shared today inspire all of us to do more to create new business models, new jobs, evolving products and services, and enhance our communities. I genuinely can’t wait to see what 2022 has in store for this team.”
Leaders of the West Virginia Hive and West Virginia University Institute of Technology (WVU Tech) Launch Lab announced today the entrepreneurs who will be presenting their business strategies at the April 23, 2024 Pitch Southern West Virginia business idea competition on the campus of WVU Tech.
James Tuckwiller and Frank Ford, co-owners of Mountain Steer Meat Company, pitched Wednesday evening in the inaugural Hayhurst Invitational statewide business competition at the Bridging Innovation Week event in Huntington. Their expansion plan was rewarded with a second-place award of $50,000.
The West Virginia Hive is hosting a community conversation on inclusive capital access from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 17, at The Loft, 1123 Mercer Street in Princeton, W.Va. The event is free to those who register.
Mountain Steer Meat Company will be vying for $100,000 in capital and recognition when its co-owners, James Tuckwiller and Frank Ford, compete from 5-6 p.m. Wednesday, April 10, at the inaugural Hayhurst Invitational statewide business pitch competition at the Bridging Innovation Week event in Huntington.
The West Virginia Hive, in partnership with the West Virginia Community Development Hub (The Hub), in support of their HubCAP program, is offering free in-person and virtual CO.STARTERS “Get Started” training sessions throughout southern West Virginia between April 8 and July 11.
Time is running out to reserve your place at the West Virginia Hive’s culture of service and hospitality training workshop, scheduled for March 25-26 at the Tamarack Conference Center.
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