CLARKSBURG The U.S. Small Business Administration is launching its WV Small Business ‘Rural & Ready’ development and training initiative with three events in the Eastern Panhandle Nov. 2 through Nov. 4. The initiative is a statewide effort by the SBA to help West Virginia rural small businesses prepare to succeed, go to the next level and even expand and grow. See below for an outline of the events.

WHAT: Regulatory Fairness Small Business Forum

WHO: SBA’s National Ombudsman Esther H. Vassar will meet with small business community members to hear issues and comments on federal regulatory enforcement and compliance actions. With SBA Region 3 Administrator A. John Shoraka; SBA WV District Director Judy K. McCauley; Eastern Panhandle SBDC Center Manager Christina Lundberg; other federal agency representatives.

WHERE: CNB Bank, Inc., 101 South Washington Street, Berkeley Springs, WV

WHEN: Wednesday, Nov. 2 at 2:00 p.m.

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WHAT: First Federal Contract Signing Recognition Ceremony A-Zone Environmental, a small woman-owned WV business headquartered in Charles Town, W.Va. recently signed its first federal contract, with an estimated value of $4 million, under SBA’s 8(a) business development program with the U.S. Corps of Engineers, Norfolk District. Strategic Resolution Experts, Inc., a small woman-owned WV business headquartered in Martinsburg, W.Va. recently signed their first federal contract under SBA’s 8(a) business development program with the Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service for Management Support and Consulting Services.

WHO: Adrienne Morgan, president of A-Zone Environmental; Jeannette King, president and CEO of Strategic Resolution Experts; John Shoraka, SBA; Judy McCauley, SBA; Melissa Loder, business opportunity specialist at SBA; Nancy Ferner, business coach for the WV Small Business Development Center.

WHERE: Eastern Panhandle Entrepreneurs Forum, Clarion Hotel & Conference Center, 233 Lowe Drive, Shepherdstown, WV

WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 3 at 6:30 p.m.

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WHAT: SBA Government Contracting Workshop Specialized training for small business owners to prepare them to compete in the federal contracting arena. The federal government is the largest purchaser of goods and services in the world, spending nearly $650 billion in 2011. Contracting can be an excellent option for small businesses searching for expansion opportunities and ways to keep their companies viable in today’s business climate. This workshop provides participants with information on various types of SBA certification programs and qualification requirements.

WHO: Melissa Loder, SBA business opportunity specialist; Nancy Ferner, business coach, WV Small Business Development Center

WHERE: Newberry Executive Center, 142 N. Queen Street, Martinsburg, WV

WHEN: Friday, Nov. 4 at 10:00 a.m.