By Lexi Browning
For the West Virginia Press Association
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Senate adopted a resolution during session Thursday, designating March 16, 2017 Innovation and Entrepreneurship Day.
The resolution, sponsored by Minority Whip Corey Palumbo, D-Kanawha, was introduced in an effort to highlight entrepreneurial practices and long-term job creation in the Mountain State.
TechConnect West Virginia and TransTech Energy Business Development Program co-sponsored the event.
“I think it’s really important that we, as a legislature, focus on innovation and helping entrepreneurs,” Palumbo said. “I attended a TechConnect conference last spring and a CEO made a point that the recovery economically of our country is going to come from individual entrepreneurs creating small businesses.”
Palumbo said he agreed with the CEO, noting it was vital to identify those who possess traits of successful entrepreneurship early on.
Anne Barth, executive director of TechConnect, said the day provided an opportunity to recognize those who pursued a path less traveled.
“We’re very grateful to the Senate and Senator Palumbo for this recognition,” Barth said. “The intent of the day is to shine a spotlight on success stories around the state, and we were thrilled to honor Core10 as our Startup firm of the year for their new office in Huntington.”
The organization also awarded the Outstanding Woman in Technology honor to Arria Hines, CEO and president of Allegheny Science and Technology based in Bridgeport.
Through the resolution’s adoption, Barth said she hoped to inspire a future generation of entrepreneurs and offer support to those in need.“We hope to show role models to others who have ideas they want to take to the marketplace. We hope to encourage them to pursue their dreams and take advantage of the resources – centers of excellence such as the Robert C. Byrd Institute in Huntington – that are available in West Virginia to help new businesses start,” Barth said.
Senators Ron Stollings, D-Boone; Robert Beach, D-Monongalia; Douglas Facemire, D-Braxton; Robert Plymale, D-Wayne; John Unger, D-Berkeley; Sue Cline, R-Wyoming; and Roman Prezioso, D-Marion, also sponsored the resolution.
