MCRA Partners with WVU

In response to its business retention and expansion initiatives, the Mingo County Redevelopment Authority has been identifying partnerships and resources to assist existing businesses with various aspects of operation.

One such partner is the WVU Manufacturing Extension Partnership. The WVMEP is focused on helping West Virginia businesses improve their competitiveness in both local and global markets. This mission is accomplished by delivering support services aimed at maximizing productivity, optimizing workforce knowledge, and offering innovative growth services to help companies develop new products, utilize new technology, and access new product markets.

On Friday, January 29, the WVMEP will host a free marketing workshop at Southern’s Logan campus from 9 a.m. to 12 noon, and MCRA Executive Director, Leasha Johnson, encourages Mingo County’s manufacturing businesses to attend the workshop. “This is a tremendous opportunity to take advantage of the University’s presence in southern West Virginia, and to assist our businesses, small or large, with the marketing component of their entity.”, said Johnson. “And businesses shouldn’t allow the “manufacturing” term dissuade them. The WVMEP workshop welcomes small food producers, machine shops, and all types of businesses that produce products of any kind to take advantage of these marketing tools and resources.”

According to the MEP’s workshop flyer, businesses with a new product idea, the need to reduce operating costs, or an interest in growing product sales, will find this workshop beneficial. Participants will learn how market research can help identify new customers, how to create an effective marketing strategy, and how to effectively utilize digital media tools to reach new customers and markets.