Right to Start Praises West Virginia for Creating a Statewide Office of Entrepreneurship
Kansas City, MO – March 26, 2026– Right to Start, the national nonprofit organization championing entrepreneurship as a civic priority, today praised the West Virginia Legislature for passing legislation and Governor Morrisey for signing the legislation into law to create a statewide Office of Entrepreneurship. Secretary of State Kris Warner was a leading champion of the legislation, which places the Office of Entrepreneurship within the Office of the Secretary of State.
The legislation, SB 878, was sponsored by Senator Ben Queen, Senator Trenton Barnhart, and Senator Jay Taylor. It passed both chambers of the Legislature with overwhelming support; unanimously in the Senate. It was approved by the Governor on March 25, 2026 and will take effect on July 1, 2026.
The Office of Entrepreneurship will focus on making it easier to start and grow businesses in West Virginia. It will serve as the liaison with the entrepreneurial community. It will foster working relationships between relevant government and non-government entities. It will create programs, host events, and recommend policies to advance entrepreneurship. It will identify systemic barriers and propose intergovernmental solutions.
Entrepreneurship is vital, because new and young businesses create virtually all net job growth in America. In addition, every 1% increase in entrepreneurial activity in a state correlates with a 2% decline in poverty.
“This is landmark legislation,” said Jason Grill, Chief Government Affairs Officer for Right to Start. “It puts West Virginia in the forefront of states committing to advance entrepreneurship. It makes entrepreneurship a key priority of the state for the benefit of every West Virginian.”
Enactment of the legislation coincides and aligns with “America the Entrepreneurial,” the national campaign started by Right to Start to renew America’s entrepreneurial promise in the 250th anniversary year of the United States, the world’s greatest startup. The campaign calls for a revival of the entrepreneurial spirit that built our nation.
“Creating a statewide Office of Entrepreneurship is a wonderful way to renew America’s entrepreneurial promise,” said Kim Lane, Executive Director of “America the Entrepreneurial” and Chief Operating Officer of Right to Start. “Our hope is that West Virginia’s action will build momentum for this trend to sweep the nation.”
For more information or to speak with Jason Grill, contact Henry Miller at hmiller@highimpactpartnering.com or 917-921-8034.
About Right to Start
Right to Start is a national nonpartisan movement to advance entrepreneurship as a civic priority throughout the United States. Entrepreneurship has long been viewed as a solitary endeavor – the lone starter in a basement or garage. Right to Start’s vision is to transform America so that all communities prioritize entrepreneurship, clearing away obstacles to ensure that every American has an equal right to start and a level playing field on which to embark.