Small Business Solutions Meets

About 20 local residents and business owners gathered for the Small Business Solutions for Barbour County meeting last Monday. 17 North Event Center hosted the event, and Philippi Convention and Visitors Bureau sponsored snacks. Representatives from PBHS Future Business Leaders of America Club joined again as well.

Special guest was Karen Graham with the Senior Community Services Employment Program. Also known as the Mature Worker Program, they work with community agencies to help participants 55 and over to find jobs, increase skills and supplement their incomes. In Barbour County, the program and matching funds cover 100% of the employer’s HR costs including hourly compensation for the duration of the worker’s 20-29hr/week assignment, which can last for several months. The payment that the participants receive is considered a training stipend rather than employment income, so it does not impact eligibility for most other benefits.

Karen graciously accepted the invitation to come back to town again and connected with a few more agencies and potential work sites for seniors in Barbour County. If you’re interested in learning more, please call 304-525-5151 or 1-800-319-7131.

Small Business Solutions is sponsored by the Barbour County Chamber of Commerce, the Development Authority, and Woodlands Development and Lending to provide a reliable space every month for all current and potential Barbour County businesses to network, brainstorm and collaborate in a relaxed, informal environment. They’re held the second Monday of each month, alternating between Philippi and Belington.

Mark your calendar and plan to come to the next meeting, which will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, December 11, at the beautifully restored, historic Golden Rule Building at 122 Crim Avenue in Belington.