All schools in Upshur County will close at 1 p.m. today. All B-UHS sporting events today are canceled.

Stone Tower Joe receives funding from W.Va. Capital Access Program to open Morgantown location

CHARLESTON, WV — The West Virginia Capital Access Program approved a loan of $76,654 for Stone Tower Joe, LLC., a coffee roaster in Monongalia County.

The WVCAP funding is expected to allow Stone Tower Joe to create 26 jobs.

Stone Tower Joe began their business in 2015 with the opening of a coffee shop in Fairmont, West Virginia. The company has expanded to additional locations in Buckhannon and Bridgeport.

The funding will enable Stone Tower Joe to open a fourth location in Morgantown.

“WVCAP allows West Virginia small businesses to expand right here in the Mountain State by leveraging federal and private funds to help companies like Stone Tower Joe continue to grow,” said Andy Zulauf, Executive Director at the West Virginia Jobs Investment Trust (WVJIT). “Through this program, West Virginians can easily access the financial resources they need to take their business to the next level.”

WVCAP provides West Virginia small businesses with debt or equity capital to expand and create jobs. WVCAP is designed to assist credit-worthy companies that may not fit traditional lending models. WVCAP is administered by the West Virginia Jobs Investment Trust.

For more information, to apply for funds, contact the West Virginia Jobs Investment Trust at wvjit.wv.gov.

About the West Virginia Jobs Investment Trust: West Virginia Jobs Investment Trust (WV JIT) is a public venture capital fund created to develop, promote and expand West Virginia’s economy by making investment funds available to eligible businesses, thus stimulating economic growth and providing or retaining jobs within the State. JIT invests in early-stage, later-stage and mature small companies that wish to expand. Opportunities to create a significant number of jobs while maintaining economic balance are favorably viewed.

Share this story:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

Buckhannon man charged with stealing package from ex-wife’s building, stalking

A Buckhannon man was arrested after allegedly stealing a package and contacting a woman against her will. Thomas Summers, 36, faces charges including entering without breaking, stalking, petit larceny and possession of a controlled substance.

Those pretty red leaves? They’re lying to you: The surprising truth about poinsettias

aoinsettias’ bright red “petals” aren’t flowers at all — they’re modified leaves called bracts, with the true flowers in the tiny yellow center. Learn about the plant’s Aztec roots, how it became a holiday staple, and simple tips to keep it thriving.

Buckhannon man charged with felony domestic battery after altercation over car keys

A Buckhannon man was arrested on a charge of domestic battery, third offense, after allegedly striking a woman when he was “extremely intoxicated” and they refused to give him his car keys.

West Virginia State Parks announces First Day Hikes for New Year’s Day

Twenty-one state parks and forests — including Audra and Canaan — will host free guided hikes on January 1 to help visitors kick off 2026 outdoors.

Mountain CAP to host free workshop for dads in January

Mountain CAP Family Support Center is hosting a free Key Behaviors Workshop for dads and male caregivers on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Buckhannon.

The Thread Lab opens Main Street storefront in Buckhannon for custom embroidery and apparel

The Thread Lab has opened a Main Street storefront in Buckhannon, giving customers an easier way to shop and order custom embroidered and personalized apparel. General manager Ashley Marple said a grand opening is planned after the holidays.

WVU doctors warn of whooping cough surge in West Virginia, highest in 15 years

West Virginia is experiencing its highest number of whooping cough cases since 2010, with WVU doctors warning about symptoms and risks. Untreated, the infection can linger for months.

Thomas “Tom” Jesse Riley

Thomas “Tom” Jesse Riley, 71, of Buckhannon, WV, a longtime trucker and owner of Riley Trucking and Repair, died December 19, 2025, and is survived by his wife Mary Ann, five children, grandchildren and siblings.

Michele Lynn Mellon

Michele Lynn Mellon, 78, of Buckhannon, West Virginia, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and Hallmark employee who loved faith, family and handwritten cards, died peacefully at home after an injury and subsequent stroke.