Lewisburg, W.Va. (July 26, 2024) – The West Virginia Hive is teaming up with Ascend WV Greenbrier Valley to host its next Coffee Talks networking session. The free event is being sponsored by City National Bank and will be held at the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine’s Clingman Center for Community Engagement located at980 Jefferson Street N, in Lewisburg on Tuesday, August 6 from 9:30 to 11am.
Judy Moore, deputy director of the New River Gorge Regional Development Authority and executive director of the WV Hive, will be interviewing entrepreneur Jorge Rodriguez-Stanley. Rodriguez-Stanley owns The RNCVRT — a gluten-free cafe in Ronceverte, W.Va. — with his partner, Chris Rodriguez-Stanley. “The goal of the RNCVRT cafe is to provide fresh, healthy options that introduce new flavors to the area,” said Rodriguez-Stanley. He said they chose to name their cafe “The RNCVRT” so when people talk about the cafe, they are saying the name of Chris’s hometown, Ronceverte. Additionally, Jorge and Chris own the Hollerwood House, a three-bedroom inn located in Ronceverte that offers guests a tranquil place to rest and host events that bring together both the Holler and Hollywood through the art and decor of the house.
Morgan Hodge, Vice President, Retail Regional Manager at City National Bank, will discuss City National Bank’s financial services for small businesses and entrepreneurs.
Callie Isenberg, Greenbrier Valley Experience Coordinator for Ascend WV, said, “Entrepreneurship is strong in Ascend Greenbrier Valley, where 16 percent of our program members are already small business owners, and even more have entrepreneurial goals. Our coworking space provides a base camp for program members and others in the local community to co-work, network, and build connections that can help new businesses come alive. We value the opportunity to gain experience from entrepreneurs and resource providers, while providing a beautiful and functional space to facilitate meaningful connections. Ascend WV is a program of the Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative, whose mission is to empower WV’s communities and partners to advance the state’s economy and enhance quality of life through outdoor recreation. It’s extremely positive to see all entrepreneurs, especially those in the outdoor economy, tap into the resources available through the WV Hive and other community partners.”
Moore said there will be both casual and guided networking opportunities geared for local entrepreneurs, business owners and community leaders. “Our Coffee Talks sessions are always informative and designed to make meaningful connections,” she said. Participants who wish to attend this free event asked to register click here.
Jack and Kathleen Taggart, owners of New River Farms Sawmill in Danese, made their home in West Virginia after Jack’s service in the United States Army to settle and start the business of their dreams.
Leaders of the New River Gorge Regional Development Authority (NRGRDA) and its entrepreneurial program – the West Virginia Hive – are seeking the community’s input by the end of the year on several aspects of a new Food Business Incubation Hub in Fayette County.
Leading local non-profit organizations — Forward Southern West Virginia and New River Gorge Regional Development Authority (NRGRDA) — are donating $10,000 each to help propel an education and training campaign, Project GRACE (Gathered Response to Address Child Exploitation), being coordinated by Just for Kids Child Advocacy Center serving Fayette and Raleigh counties.
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