The Dominion Post recently wrote about Morgantown’s ranking as the seventh best “small place” to launch a small business, according to a report by Fortune Small Business and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. In the article, The WVUBI General Manager, Dusty Gwinn, was questioned on the subject:
One part of that support system is the WVU Business Incubator. General Manager Dusty Gwinn said he was pleased with the ranking.
“I thought it was great,” Gwinn said. “We have a lot of untapped resources.”
Having the university in the city gives the area numerous resources for potential small businesses, Gwinn said, adding that advantages include an educated work force and the opportunity to partner with WVU researchers.
The business incubator helps small entrepreneurs get their companies up and running, Gwinn said, by providing education on various parts of a business such as marketing, finance and software training. The goal is to get the business owners the infor- mation so they can help themselves, he said.
“Our goal is that in 2 to 3 years, they outgrow us,” Gwinn said.
A steady number of applicants have joined the incubator, Gwinn said, adding that there has been no drop-off because of the economic recession.
One of the biggest challenges small operations have in the area is overcoming the stereotype that it is difficult to start a business in the city, Gwinn said. Some have said high taxes or the municipal system can make it difficult, but Gwinn said he doesn’t see this problem.
To view the article online, please visit the Trading Markets website.
Posted by Matt Livengood on October 16, 2009 at 2:09 pm in the following categories: Morgantown, WVUBI
