| Charleston, W.Va. – The WV Secretary of State’s Office registered 1,703 new businesses statewide during the month of September, according to Secretary of State Kris Warner. Counties that led the state in total businesses registered in September include Kanawha, Berkeley, Raleigh, Monongalia, and Jefferson. |
 Top Five Counties in Total New Businesses Registered: 1. Kanawha County – 131 new registrations 2. Berkeley County – 116 new registrations 3. Raleigh County – 93 new registrations 4. Monongalia County – 88 new registrations 5. Jefferson County – 82 new registrations Of the 1,703 new businesses registered in September, 67 registered as non-profit and 188 qualified for one of the fee waiver programs offered by the WV Secretary of State’s Office. Each program waives the initial registration fee for registering the business. The Boots to Business incentive also waives the first four years of Annual Report filing fees, offering potential savings of up to $250 for new business owners. |
| New Business Owners Eligible for WVSOS Cost Savings Programs: – Veterans, active-duty, military spouses – 105 new registrations- New business owners under the age of 30 – 83 new registrations Learn more about the Boots to Business and Young Entrepreneur fee waiver programs. Statewide, West Virginia registered 22,863 new businesses in the previous 12-month period, from September 1, 2025, to August 31, 2026. To review county-by-county growth, visit our Business Statistics Database. A total of 178,101 businesses are registered with the Secretary of State’s Office to do business in West Virginia. Business Tip of the Month: Your voice shapes policies and programs that affect your business. Owners and key financial decision-makers for-profit businesses, share your recent operational and financial experiences, about whether and how you use debt, and more. The Federal Reserve’s 2026 Small Business Credit Survey is now open, and the WV Secretary of State’s Office is a partner in this effort. The survey gathers critical data that directly inform policymakers, lenders, service providers, advocates, and researchers. The WVSOS Business Division works closely with the WV Department of Commerce to help get entrepreneurs the support and assistance they need to start and open their business. Read more about the partnership at WV Business-Link. |
| Customer Service Summary for September: WVSOS Business Division Director Sarah Carey is pleased to announce that, last month, the Business Division assisted 4,462 customers through phone calls, in-person office visits, and virtual appointments. The WVSOS Office’s virtual appointment scheduler allows customers to receive face-to-face customer support at a time or with a specialist of their choosing from the comfort of their office or even their own home. – Phone calls to the WVSOS Business Division – 4,218- Virtual appointments with WVSOS Business Specialists – 5 – In-person customers to WVSOS Business Offices – 239 |
| In the month of September, Clay County led the state in the percentage of new business growth with a total of 11 new business registrations, a 3.42% increase. The Secretary of State’s Business Division reported that Tyler, Gilmer, Doddridge, and Pocahontas also experienced notable growth during the month. Top Five Counties in New Business Growth for September: 1. Clay County – 3.42% growth 2. Tyler County – 2.28% growth 3. Gilmer County – 1.89% growth 4. Doddridge County – 1.84% growth 5. Pocahontas County – 1.83% growth The Certified Veteran Owned Business (CVOB) Program was established by Secretary Warner in July, making West Virginia the 15th state in the nation to formally certify and recognize businesses owned by veterans. CVOB registered since July 1 – 100 Counties that have a CVOB – 36 Participating businesses receive: * Verified certification confirming the business is Veteran-Owned * An official Certified Veteran-Owned Business logo for use on storefronts, websites, social media, letterhead, and other marketing materials * Inclusion in the Secretary of State’s online Veteran-Owned Business Directory * A professional display certificate recognizing their Veteran-Owned status * Increased visibility among customers who want to support local veterans and their businesses Click here to learn more about the CVOB Program.-30- |
