Huntington, W.Va. – WV Secretary of State Kris Warner will officially announce the launch of the new WV Certified Veteran-Owned Business (CVOB) Program during a press conference at the American Legion State Convention on Friday, July 10, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at the DoubleTree Hotel in Huntington.
The Secretary of State's Office, with authority granted by the WV legislature during the 2026 legislative session, has established the guidelines and criteria for veteran-owned businesses to apply to be certified and display the distinctive CVOB logotype at their businesses, on business materials, and webpages.
HB 5227, which went into effect on July 1, makes West Virginia the 15th state to launch this program. Certified Veteran-Owned Businesses will be listed on a dedicated landing page on the WVSOS website. During the American Legion State Convention, Secretary Warner will be accompanied by Ryan Kennedy, Cabinet Secretary of the WV Department of Veterans Assistance, to make the announcement and recognize the first five veteran-owned businesses certified through the new program. |  |
“West Virginia has a proud tradition of military service. Many of our veterans continue serving their communities long after leaving the armed forces by starting businesses, creating jobs, and driving economic growth,” Secretary Warner said. “The Certified Veteran-Owned Business Program is a meaningful way to recognize those contributions.”
The CVOB Program will be administered by the Secretary of State's Business Division. The initiative reflects our State's commitment to honoring veterans not only for their military service but also for their leadership as business owners and job creators.
“Supporting veteran-owned businesses is about more than just recognition,” Warner said. “It is about expressing our gratitude to the men and women who served our nation. As I do for all businesses, I hope that they have every opportunity to achieve success in their next mission.”
Veterans who own a business in West Virginia are encouraged to apply for certification through the Secretary of State's Office. Applications will be available at the event and online through the Secretary of State's website.
To apply, complete the application and submit a copy of the veteran's DD-214 in accordance with the instructions on the form. Veterans who are already qualified for the Boots to Business Program must apply separately to be a Certified Veteran-Owned Business, but are not required to resubmit their DD-214.
This program is available to veterans; servicemembers on active duty may qualify for the Boots to Business program.
EVENT INFORMATION
What: Launch of the West Virginia Certified Veteran-Owned Business Program
Who: Secretary of State Kris Warner, veteran business owners, representatives of the WV Department of Veterans Assistance, and American Legion leadership
When: Friday, July 10, 2026, at 1:00 p.m.
Where: American Legion State Convention, DoubleTree Hotel, 1001 3rd Avenue, Huntington, WV 25701
NOTE: Secretary Warner, Secretary Kennedy, and the first CVOB owners will be available for interviews after the presentation at the WVSOS booth in the hotel's front hallway.
