By Peyton Ballard –

Marlinton businesses welcomed staff members from the WV Hive Network, a small business incubator and accelerator headquartered in Beckley, WV on July 14th as a part of their ‘Community Days’ initiative. As the entrepreneurship program of the New River Gorge Regional Development Authority (NRGRDA), the Hive serves 12 counties in southern WV, including Pocahontas County.

“The pandemic has made it difficult for our staff to get out into the communities within our territory and engage with business owners” said the WV Hive Executive Director, Judy Moore.

During this visit, the staff were able to visit many Marlinton establishments to discuss their much-lauded business advising services and support programming. Stops for the staff included Knapp’s Creek Trout Lodge, Greenbrier Bikes, The Cackling Hens, Flower Garden, Lucy’s Grocery, and others. After all that walking, they buzzed over to Dirtbean where they devoured signature fish tacos and quesadillas.

“We serve so many wonderful communities throughout our 12-county footprint in the New River Gorge and Greenbrier Valley. Marlinton has a growing business climate, and we are excited to have had the opportunity to let our team explore what great businesses the town has to offer” added Moore.

The services the Hive offers to businesses are robust. Their premier service is one-on-one business advising where experienced business advisors guide entrepreneurs through many of the complexities owning and running a small business can bring about. This service coupled with educational support programming, a partnership in the Communities of Healing recovery to work program, and the administration of Country Roads Angel Network, WV’s only accredited angel capital group, their support gives entrepreneurs in our region an excess of tools to enhance capacity to grow and expand. For more information on how to access the WV Hive services, please visit www.wvhive.com.