Business 4 West Virginia
Business4WV — West Virginia One Stop Business Portal
Everything you need to plan, start, operate, expand, or move your business in the Mountain State — all in one place.
Plan My Business
The West Virginia One Stop Business Portal is designed to help you along every step of the way in making your business a success. This section of the site will guide you through turning your ideas and concepts into a business plan and connect you to resources that will help you know what to expect on the path ahead.
- Research — You wouldn't buy a home or car without first checking it out, so make sure you're on the right path before starting your business. There is simply no way to eliminate all the risks associated with starting a small business, but you can improve your chances of success with good planning, preparation, and insight. One of the first steps in starting a new business is adequate research and planning.
- Business Plan Resources — You're going to have to get your ideas on paper. Developing a sound business plan is an extremely important component of the business startup process. A good business plan acts as a road map that allows you to look at your business objectively and see where the strengths and weaknesses are before opening, and then every step along the way. Most importantly, a business plan is a key part of any financial documentation package that gives lenders and investors a clear picture of your ideas.
- Business Fundamentals Workshop — West Virginia Small Business Development Center (SBDC) offers a Business Fundamentals Workshop in both classroom and online formats designed specifically for people who are thinking of starting a business or have been in business for one year or less. Take advantage of this excellent resource to help prepare your business for success from the very start.
- Veteran Resources — West Virginia is proud to offer U.S. veterans business development initiatives like the Secretary of State's Veteran Owned "Boots To Business" Waiver and the West Virginia Department of Agriculture's Veterans and Warriors to Agriculture project. This section also provides valuable online resources specifically for veterans.
- Mentoring — Knowing what to expect on the path ahead can help you on your way. Business mentors have the experience of operating on their own, and you can benefit from their experience. This section provides a wealth of resources in West Virginia, and — most importantly — most are provided at no cost.
Start My Business
In this section, we will help you take the first official steps in starting your new business. You have most likely conducted some preliminary research and planning before creating your new business. If not, we recommend visiting the previous Plan My Business section to help you prepare for getting your business up and running.
These first few steps are critical to the foundation of your business venture, so make sure you take enough time to review all of the information and options available to you.
Steps for Starting a Business
Operate My Business
The goal of the West Virginia One Stop Business Portal is to help you and your business succeed. In this section, you will find information to help you successfully operate your business and to maintain compliance in the Mountain State.
- Annual Reporting — Guidance on the Secretary of State's required annual business report filings.
- Making Changes / Filing Amendments — Information about how to report changes to your business registration with various state agencies.
- Taxes — A guide to federal, state and local tax information for your business.
- E-Filing and Payment Options — Information about electronically filing your state taxes.
- Licenses, Permits, and Renewals — Information on license and permit renewals.
- Managing Employees — Employer responsibilities in the Mountain State.
- Insurance — Make sure your business, employees and investments are protected from the unexpected.
- Regulations — Stay connected to regulations that govern your industry and business.
- Business Counseling — One-on-one assistance for your business, at every step along the way.
- Exiting / Changing Over — Assistance if you're ready to retire, transfer ownership, or close the business.
Expand My Business
Expanding your business helps you increase your customer base, extend your services, and grow your profits. This section will help you determine when and how to expand your business in West Virginia. With more than 90 percent of businesses in the Mountain State having fewer than 50 employees, small businesses are essential to West Virginia's economic vitality.
- Business Counseling — One-to-one assistance for your business, at every step along the way.
- Customers — Identifying and reaching your target customer audience are critical to succeeding in business. Growing your customer base will also become important to reach continued business growth.
- Locations — The old saying is true: "Location, location, location." Your business location will greatly impact the success of your business.
- Financing — Sound financial management is likely to be the key to your business' success. Visit this section to learn about financing resources in the Mountain State.
- Finding and Training Employees — Your workforce will be one of your business' most important assets. When you're ready to expand, attracting and retaining a quality workforce will give your business a competitive edge and one of its highest returns on investment.
- Buying a Business, Merging and Franchises — Taking on additional operations and locations strategically will help you to expand your customer base.
- Government Procurement — Looking to expand your business by selling your products and/or services through government contracts? This section provides resources to get you started on the path to government procurement.
- Exports and Overseas Development — Guidance on the path to exporting and expanding your operations to the global marketplace.
Move to West Virginia
The State of West Virginia is a great state in which to own and operate a business. Whether your business is looking to relocate from another state, or you have an overseas operation that is considering a new West Virginia home, please take a moment to review the resources in this section that will help you make your move to West Virginia a success.
- Why West Virginia? — Learn about the many advantages of locating your business in West Virginia, centrally located in the heart of the Eastern United States.
- Almost Heaven, West Virginia — Discover "wild and wonderful" West Virginia, a place well-known for its incredible outdoor adventures, luxury spas with natural mineral springs, home to the famous Mountain Stage public radio series, and a rich historical heritage whose country roads lead you a little closer to heaven. Experience the fullness of the great Mountain State!
