CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WV SBDC), a division of the West Virginia Department of Economic Development, announced that Heidi Prior is joining the agency as a business coach in the New River Gorge area of their Eastern Region.

In this role, Prior will connect entrepreneurs and small business owners with services provided by the WV SBDC to help small businesses start, expand and succeed.

Prior is a graduate of Arizona State University with a degree in Outdoor Recreation Management & Tourism who spent more than a decade as a river guide across the United States, Norway, and New Zealand. She parlayed that experience into a career as a marketing director, business development expert, sales/account executive and a government policy advocate, with a focus on helping tourism businesses succeed.

“Heidi has a robust background in economic development and a keen interest in helping small businesses thrive,” said WV SBDC Director Debra Martin. “Her skills, coupled with the incredible economic potential in the region, provides a fantastic opportunity for new and existing small businesses to connect with the tools, talents and resources necessary for success. “

Prior serves as part of the statewide network of WV SBDC business coaches. The WV SBDC assists entrepreneurs and small business owners at every stage of the business lifecycle by providing technical assistance to help clients clarify goals, develop skills, and acquire resources to operate a successful enterprise.

To learn more about WV SBDC’s services and resources for small businesses and entrepreneurs, visit WVsbdc.com.