CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WV SBDC), a division of the West Virginia Department of Economic Development, appoints Luke Campbell to the post of WV SBDC CARES Business Recovery Program specialist.

Campbell, a native of West Virginia, earned a degree in business administration from Glenville State College. Campbell served in various positions in the insurance and professional employer organization (PEO) industry. A PEO provides payroll, benefits, and human resource services to small businesses.

“Luke’s career has been dedicated to helping entrepreneurs and small business owners increase their productivity and profitability,” said WV SBDC Director Debra Martin. “Those skills, coupled with the resources available through the CARES Business Recovery Program, will help West Virginia’s entrepreneurs build more resilient businesses and take the next step.”

The WV SBDC operates a statewide network of business coaches who provide business expertise, advice and other services at no charge to the state’s small business owners. The CARES Business Recovery Project enhances the WV SBDC small business coaching network by adding the expertise of qualified consulting partners. These partners can offer technical expertise to small businesses that have experienced supply chain disruptions, staffing challenges, falling sales or closure because of COVID-19.

The CARES program also recognizes quality childcare as essential to the U.S. labor market and economy. The coronavirus pandemic dealt a severe blow to the childcare industry, from closing care centers to leaving working parents without childcare options.

“The CARES Act funding identifies childcare as a priority,” said Martin. “This project will be focused on increasing high-quality childcare, supporting childcare businesses, retaining qualified childcare staff, and supporting shared services among childcare providers. Luke will be leading this effort.”

Through the WV SBDC CARES Business Recovery Project, small business owners can connect with subject matter experts in marketing, government contracting, disaster planning, cybersecurity and other essential business concerns.

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