The launch of “Prepped To Serve Appalachia,” an accelerated fine dining worker certification program, was announced last week by West Virginia Health Right and West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice.
The initiative is led by West Virginia Health Right in partnership with chef Paul Smith, the state’s only James Beard Award- winning chef. The new program is funded through a $250,000 grant award from WorkForce West Virginia, according to a news release from the governor.
The training sessions will be held at West Virginia Health Right locations in Charleston, with the first session starting in October.
“By equipping participants with new skills, we are fostering sustainable employment and helping build a stronger, more resilient local economy,” Angie Settle, CEO of West Virginia Health Right, said in the release. “Prepped to Serve Appalachia aligns with our mission to enhance both the health and economic stability of our community.”
The organization will receive a $1 million grant to support expansion and redevelopment of the Marshall Advanced Manufacturing Center in South Charleston.
Raimondo said in a news release that this EDA investment will be matched with $258,425 in local funds and is expected to create 46 jobs, retain 30 jobs and generate $31 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.
Advantage Valley, Inc. announced last week two upcoming Kauffman FastTrac entrepreneurship courses, which are free, to help aspiring entrepreneurs take the next step in starting their businesses.
“It takes dedication to build a solid business plan with achievable financial goals,” Bryan Shaw, director of entrepreneurship at Advantage Valley said in a news release. “We work closely with each participant, guiding them through challenges and celebrating their milestones.”
The West Virginia Chamber of Commerce announced Tuesday the release of the West Virginia Campaign for Jobs 2024 Digest, a publication designed to provide a detailed, data-driven look at the state’s economic health.
According to a news release from the chamber, this digest is a resource for understanding the current landscape of West Virginia’s business climate, offering insight into 61 key indicators that reflect the state’s performance and progress.
The publication provides a side-by-side comparison of West Virginia’s rankings on important economic indicators relative to other states, highlighting both strengths and areas needing improvement, according to the chamber.
Accompanying the digest is a data dashboard offering a snapshot of statistics. The West Virginia Campaign for Jobs 2024 Digest can be found at wvchamber.com/initiatives/campaign-for-jobs.
Fred Pace is the regional business reporter for HD Media. Follow him at Facebook.com/FredPaceHD and via X (formerly Twitter) @FredPaceHD.
