It’s Never Been Easier to Start a New Business or File an Annual Report in WV

By Jason Parsons, Director
WV One Stop Business Center

During National Small Business Week, we wanted to remind everyone that it’s never been easier to start or grow a business in West Virginia, thanks to the WV Legislature’s initiative creating the WV One Stop Business Center.

The first center of its kind in the nation and led by Secretary of State Mac Warner, the WV One Stop brings together four governmental agencies essential to starting or growing a business all under one roof. The WV Secretary of State’s Business & Licensing Division, the WV State Tax Department, the WV Division of Labor and Workforce-WV all maintain staff within the WV One Stop operation. Doing so enables West Virginia business owners to successfully complete all of the required registration in one single location.

Launched in early 2018, the WV One Stop Business Center is headquartered in Charleston with regional offices in Clarksburg and Martinsburg. In the first year of operation, the WV One Stop Business Center helped 12,305 new businesses form. Business owners previously spent up to two weeks registering their business with all of the relevant state agencies. Today, new business registration can take place in just one hour. Coupled with West Virginia’s growing and improving business climate, the services available at the WV One Stop helps make business growth simple, easy and reliable for West Virginians.

Every business is required to file an annual report with the West Virginia Secretary of State’s Office prior to July 1 every year. The WV One Stop Business Portal at www.onestop.wv.gov it easy and simple to file an annual report. Simply set up an account or log into an existing account. From there you can make any changes necessary and pay the $25 annual report fee all online.

Alternatively, if you don’t have an account on the WV One Stop portal, choose the option to file as a Guest User. You can file your annual report in as little as five minutes.

The WV One Stop Business Center staff is available 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Our team is there to assist business owners in completing their annual report filing. You can visit in person or you can call us directly at 304-558-8000 with questions or concerns.

According to a study published by the Harvard Quarterly Journal of Economics, initial barriers to starting a business can inhibit or slow economic growth; conversely, ease of access in starting a business can be an accelerant to economic growth. At the WV One Stop Business Center, business owners can expect world-class customer service, a knowledgeable and experienced staff, and a commitment to moving at the speed of business.

In just the first three months of 2019, a total of 2,993 new businesses have formed in West Virginia. Our economy is improving and our future looks bright. It’s an exciting time to be in business in West Virginia.

The WV One Stop Business Center is here to make the experience for business owners quick and reliable – including filing an annual report. Business is growing in West Virginia, and the WV One Stop Business Center is here for you.

For more information on National Small Business Week, click on this link: https://www.sba.gov/national-small-business-week.

Jason Parsons is the Director of the WV One Stop Business Center which is part of the West Virginia Secretary of State’s Office.