Downtown Ravenswood Partners
Small Business and Historic Building Owner Resources
See all of the incredible free resources available to business and building owners in our area, so you know what's available and who can help you take advantage of it. Includes links for grants; loans; free coaching services and other business support; design and technical assistance; free promotion; and more.
For businesses, this should help you be more successful over time.
For building owners, this should lower your costs and remove barriers to renovating and upgrading your historic commercial buildings.
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Small Business Resources
Promotions, Free Online Resources
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LED Billboard Ad
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Free LED billboard advertising next to Ravenswood City Hall for any free community events or free business events you are hosting.
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To participate, email Molly.washburn@downtownravenswood.org with your business name, date of event, and description.
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Once approved, design your ad in Canva for free using these dimensions: 1920 x 1080 pixels
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Email the ad link or the jpg to Molly and put the dates you want the ad to run.
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Facebook and Newsletter Promotion
​1. Promote any events or sales you are having on our Facebook page and in our newsletter.
2. To participate, email Molly.washburn@downtownravenswood.org with your business name, date of event, description, and any photos.
3. OR, tag Downtown Ravenswood Partners on your post or event in Facebook or DM us with the details and we will share it with our followers.
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Small Business Support/Training through Main Street America
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Small Biz Digital Trainers Main Street America offers virtual and on-demand small business training through the Small Biz Digital Trainers program.
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Main St Online Tool: To use this tool, simply answer a series of questions. Based on your answers, you will receive a customized list of tools and resources on everything from POS systems, website platforms, and content creation software to help your business succeed.
Loans, Grants
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Funding Limits: $2,000-$150,000
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Use of Funds : Equipment, Inventory, Real Estate, Working Capital
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Type of Eligible Businesses: For Profit, Non Profit or Agency
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For businesses who have not been able to secure funding through traditional banks.
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Funding Limits: $5,000-$50,000
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The program provides financing at a fixed interest rate (contact us for current rate information.)
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Since 1994, WCCED has loaned over $1,010,000 to entrepreneurs in West Virginia to help start and/or expand their small businesses.
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Eligible uses of financing include:
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Opening or expanding your business
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Buying inventory
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Purchasing equipment
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Supplementing working capital
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Borrowers must demonstrate job creation and/or retention.
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Standard SBA application required.
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The program provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to rural small businesses for renewable energy systems or energy efficiency improvements.
Funds may also be used for the purchase, installation and construction of energy efficiency improvements, such as:
• High efficiency heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems (HVAC).
• Insulation.
• Lighting.
• Cooling or refrigeration units.
• Doors and windows.
• Electric, solar or gravity pumps for sprinkler pivots.
• Replacement of energy-inefficient equipment. Loan guarantees on loans up to 75 percent of total eligible project costs.
Grants for up to 50 percent of total eligible project costs.
Combined grant and loan guarantee funding up to 75% of total eligible project costs. (that under the Farm Bill funding during this last round, only 25% could be funded (50% had been possible under the Inflation Reduction Act funding). Due March 31, 2025.
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Where to Find Grants and Funding
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Help in Applying for Grants
The West Virginia Grant Resource Centers assist communities and other eligible applicants in developing competitive grant applications.
With a center in both Huntington and Morgantown, we serve all 55 counties with special consideration given to the distressed counties identified by the Appalachian Regional Commission to increase equity across the state.
Our focus is on the pre-award process to help eligible applicants identify funding opportunities, put together competitive proposals, and submit complete application packages. all services provided by the WV Grant Resource Centers is 100% free. Request for assistance can be submitted via our website by completing our application form. All requests will be reviewed in our weekly staff meeting. We ask that you give is 7-10 business days to respond to your request.
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Free Business Support Resources
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The Advantage Valley team provides a wealth of resources to small business owners and entrepreneurs alike. Our FASTER WV (the acronym stands for Fostering Advantages for Start-Ups & Entrepreneurial Resurgence in WV) initiative is here to identify, encourage, and support businesses like yours through one-on-one business coaching, a series of information-packed workshops, basic business entrepreneurship courses, technical assistance, mini-grants, and loans from a revolving loan fund.
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Contact:
Bryan Shaw <bryan@advantagevalley.com>
Director of Entrepreneurial Development
(c) 304-389-6742
(o) 304-352-1165
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SBDC, WV Business Link, JCDA
1. West Virginia Small Business Development Center
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Meet one-on-one with WV SBDC business coaches to receive confidential, no-cost technical assistance to help start and grow your business in West Virginia. We help you identify your goals, develop valuable skills and acquire the necessary resources to make your business a success.
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2. West Virginia Business Link
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Start or Grow your Business. Connect to resources including funding.
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3. Jackson County Development Authority
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Whether you're launching a startup, expanding an existing company, or planning for the future, we’re here to help you succeed.
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Design Assistance, Grants, Loans, and Tax Credits
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Free Design Assistance from Main St WV:
Purpose and Application Form
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Help public and private building owners plan and budget for remodeling their buildings. Can also include outdoor areas such as pocket parks and streetscape design.
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For private property owners, they can apply for a facade update, interior layout plan, tax credits, or financial assistance. Owner needs to give approval for the design assistance.
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Download Design Assistance Application form here (click on icon):
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Email to Molly.washburn@downtownravenswood.org and she will schedule a site visit for you.
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Eligibility: State or local government agency, not-for-profit organization, private citizen, for-profit firm or organization, or education institution. Applicant may not be a religious organization.
Funding used for: To assist organizations and individuals in the protection, rehabilitation, restoration, stabilization of a property listed in the National Register of Historic Places or a contributing structure in a National Register Historic District.
Fund description: $200,000 will be available for grant awards; No grant will be awarded for less than $1,000.
Deadline: Annually in March 31. Only supports 50% of the project costs. A 50% cash match is required. Projects must adhere to the Secretary of Interior's Standards for Historic Preservation.
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Guidelines download:
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Help in Applying for Grants​
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The Historic Preservation Microloan Program exists to preserve West Virginia’s architectural heritage and stimulate community revitalization through advocacy, lending, technical assistance, and development in historic areas in the state of West Virginia.
Loan amounts can be up to $20,000. There is a 2% interest rate on loans issued by PAWV. All work must be completed between 24-60 months of the loan issue date, and loans are to be paid back within that 24-60 month period.
Loan applications are accepted on a rolling basis. All applicants must submit a $100 non-refundable application fee.
To learn more about whether your project may qualify or if you are interested in the program, contact Danielle Parker at dlapresta@pawv.org or by calling 304-345-6005.
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A 20% federal income tax credit and a 25% state income tax credit are available for the rehabilitation of historic, income-producing buildings that are determined by the Secretary of the Interior, through the National Park Service, to be “certified historic structures.” Properties must be individually listed in the National Register of Historic Places or listed as a contributing building within a historic district.
Building Owner Resources
