Bluefield WV Economic Development

We are thrilled to announce that our regional Food Truck Incubator Program has been funded! Applications will open soon. Head to https://lnkd.in/etNr87Ep to learn more! #regionalprogram #foodtruckincubator #foodtruck #westvirginia #economicdevelopment

Congratulations to Bluefield State University's FBLA students! Six students, alongside Dr. Young and Dr. Vance, brought home multiple medals from the WV FBLA Collegiate competition at the University of Charleston recently. Their hard work earned them a spot at the National FBLA Conference in Dallas this summer! We’re proud to see local students excelling in business leadership—way to represent #MyBluefield! From left to right: Dr. Joel Vance, Shyrell Johnson, Anthony Bright, Izabella McGuire, Christian Yates, Elijah Nester, Alex Ramsey, and Dr. Tabitha Young. #FutureLeaders #FBLA #BSU

We are pleased to announce Sam Wolford as our new Executive Director, effective May 5, 2025. Sam brings more than 30 years of leadership and service to the role, with a proven track record in economic and workforce development, strategic planning, and organizational innovation. Please help us welcome Sam to our #MyBluefield team! You can read our press release to learn more at mybluefield.org/blog.

Thank you SBA Mid-Atlantic Region (Region 3) and Jim Spencer for attending our Entrepreneur to Entrepreneur event and sharing your small business resources with the group. We are so appreciative of your support and efforts to see West Virginia businesses thrive.

We are just two days away from our favorite FREE Entrepreneur networking event! If you dream of starting a business someday or currently own one, this event is for you! Head downtown this Thursday to meet and chat with 10 successful local business owners to learn from their journeys. We have owners representing a wide variety of industries such as local retail and service shops, engineering and manufacturing businesses, ATV businesses, marketing agencies, consulting, and more. * Bluefield Art Center Theater - 500 Bland St Bluefield WV * This Thursday (April 3rd) - 5:30-7:30pm * Light refreshments will be available #entrepreneurship #businesstraining #entrepreneurevent

After many years of dedicated service to our community and region, our Executive Director, Jim Spencer, announced his retirement yesterday and “gave credit where credit is due”. Thank you, Jim - on behalf of our team and #MyBluefield, for your visionary leadership, unwavering dedication, and tireless commitment to driving positive change and transformation in Bluefield. Your impact will be felt for years to come.

Want to start your own business but unsure how to start? Come join us on March 12th for a free workshop covering the details of choosing a legal structure, registering your business, and more. Head to https://lnkd.in/eYBngQt to save your seat today! #businesseducation #entrepreneurship #smallbusinesses #startup #startingabusiness

Are you looking to expand or relocate your business? Imagine being just a few hundred yards from Interstate 77, situated in an Opportunity Zone, and surrounded by a community that actively supports and partners with businesses to help them grow. If that sounds like the right fit for you, let’s talk about The West Virginia CREATE Center! www.mybluefield.org

Because we believe every goal should be measurable, we give ourselves a report card. We are pleased to present BEDA's 2024 Annual Report. To learn more about us visit www.mybluefield.org. #economicdevelopment #cultivatingprosperity #smallbusinessassistance #progress #movingforward

We are excited to congratulate Bluefield State University's FBLA Team on their successes at the National Leadership Conference last week! Each student had the opportunity to compete in two events and their chapter had two winners: Christian Yates - Foundations of Entrepreneurship 5th place and Alex Ramsey - Impromptu Speaking 7th place. Our Executive Director Jim Spencer stated, “I’ve known Christian and Alex for many years and have watched them grow up. They’re fine young men with bright futures and we’re blessed that Christian is currently working as an intern for BEDA. We’d like to congratulate the entire team for their efforts and especially Dr. Young for her leadership.” (Pictured from left to right: Alex Ramsey, Jayden Hearn, Dr. Tabitha Young, Izabella McGuire, Elijah Nester, and Christian Yates)