Three economic development agencies located in Montgomery, West Virginia have partnered with the Charleston, WV SCORE Chapter to offer business counseling services for the Upper Kanawha Valley. The Mine Safety Technology Consortium, the Upper Kanawha Valley Economic Development Corporation, and the Upper Kanawha Valley Chamber of Commerce will sponsor and provide assistance for the development of a local SCORE chapter for the Upper Kanawha Valley. 

SCORE is a national organization with chapters located throughout West Virginia. The Upper Kanawha Valley Chapter of SCORE will be affiliated with the national nonprofit organization headquartered in Washington, D.C.  SCORE “Counselors to America’s Small Business” is a nonprofit association dedicated to educating entrepreneurs and the formation, growth and success of small business nationwide. SCORE is a resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

The mission of SCORE is to provide face-to-face and email business counseling to help small businesses evaluate plans, stabilize, grow, innovate and succeed. SCORE is composed of 10,500 volunteer business mentors, both working and retired, who counsel businesses from 389 chapter offices throughout the country. SCORE volunteers hail from every facet of the business community. Some have worked at large corporations such as Kodak, Xerox and Boeing. Some have served in our military or worked for the local or federal government. Others have spent years cultivating their own small business.

 The Upper Kanawha chapter will assist in the mission of the three agencies in promoting economic development and business assistance for small business growth. The Upper Kanawha Valley SCORE Chapter will be located in the Upper Kanawha Valley Technologies Community Building located at 326 Third Avenue in Montgomery, WV.  Officers for the association are: Chairperson Pauline Price from the Upper Kanawha Valley Chamber of Commerce; Co-Chairperson Diana Wilson, Director of the Upper Kanawha Valley Economic Development Corporation, and Secretary/Treasurer Dennis Jarvis II; Director of the Mine Safety Technology Consortium.  

MSTC and partnering organizations will act as the host, “We will offer the needed infrastructure to ensure the success of the organization, stated Dennis Jarvis, II. “ Our only need is volunteers to act as counselors for the chapter.”

Developing a local chapter requires securing interested volunteers to counsel participants.  Currently the chapter is looking for candidates to assist in the daily operations;  “The ideal candidate for a SCORE volunteer counselor is a retired or semi-retired professional, commented Dennis Jarvis, II, Director of MSTC. “ We are hopeful that a few people in the region would like to contribute. Agreeing to be a SCORE volunteer requires completing a training program and a special interest to serve his or her community.” 

The Charleston Score has agreed to offer guidance and assistance for the development of the Upper Kanawha Chapter. Charleston SCORE member and Montgomery, native Marsha Hopkins feels the time is right to develop an additional chapter in Montgomery, “We are eager to partner with MSTC to develop a SCORE chapter in the region. Providing the assistance to the local business community will increase economic opportunities for everyone.” In addition to offering support the Charleston chapter will provide their expertise and experience to participants, “we will lend a hand when needed,” Marsha Hopkins. 

Interested participants should contact the offices of the Mine Safety Technology at 304.981.6221 or email dennis.jarvis@mail.wvu.edu.