WEST VIRGINIA

In 2025, Delegate Kayla Young sponsored House Bill 2844, which would create a statewide Office of Entrepreneurship within the Office of Economic Development. The office would (1) work to strengthen policies and programs supporting the growth of entrepreneurship in the state, including, without limitation, across demographic segments and geographic areas; (2) work with stakeholders and organizations supporting entrepreneurship to enhance the learning and skills of, provide technical support to, and expand access to resources for entrepreneurs across the state; and (3) serve as a point of contact to assist businesses that have been in operation for not more than five years in their interactions with state agencies and, where appropriate, refer businesses to other state or local agencies that provide assistance to businesses. Additionally, the office would make recommendations for improving overall entrepreneurship in the state and track and report on government contracts that were awarded to businesses under five years of age, with recommendations on improving access. 

In 2024, Delegate Kayla Young sponsored House Bill 2924, which would create a statewide Office of Entrepreneurship within the Office of Economic Development. The office would (1) work to strengthen policies and programs supporting the growth of entrepreneurship in the state, including, without limitation, across demographic segments and geographic areas; (2) work with stakeholders and organizations supporting entrepreneurship to enhance the learning and skills of, provide technical support to, and expand access to resources for entrepreneurs across the state; and (3) serve as a point of contact to assist businesses that have been in operation for not more than five years in their interactions with state agencies and, where appropriate, refer businesses to other state or local agencies that provide assistance to businesses. Additionally, the office would make recommendations for improving overall entrepreneurship in the state and track and report on government contracts that were awarded to businesses under five years of age, with recommendations on improving access. 

In 2023, Delegate Moore Capito sponsored House Bill 3305, which created the Small Business and Entrepreneurial Act. The bill would create a statewide Office of Entrepreneurship. The Secretary of Administration, along with the newly formed Office of Entrepreneurship, would make recommendations for improving overall entrepreneurship in the state and track and report on government contracts that were awarded to businesses under five years of age, with recommendations on improving access. It would also track economic development funding for new businesses. The bill requires 5% of government contracts be awarded to new businesses and 5% of economic development funding to organizations or programs for individuals starting new businesses or to those organizations or programs that provide services to new businesses. Finally, the bill would lower income tax rates for businesses under three years of age and waive fees charged by the Secretary of State for businesses in their first three years. The bill passed in a House Committee.