An Initiative of the West Virginia Entrepreneurship Education Collaborative.
WHAT IS JRTI COMPANY LAB?
The JRTI Company Lab is a student and community Entrepreneur Center. Our purpose is to provide a central location for aspiring entrepreneurs to realize their dream. We believe that the Mountain State is rich with folks determined to build a better future for themselves. “Small” businesses make up 98.9% of the economy in West Virginia and 49.1% of WV employees. Research shows assisting aspiring business owners to navigate through the start-up process successfully, creates a stronger local economy, a committed and more fulfilled workforce and ultimately a more engaged community. JRTI has been part of the community for 50+ years and has a reputation for producing some of the most skilled and hardest working individuals in their respective industries. This program offers the next step in a successful and accomplished career path-business ownership!
WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM THE LAB’S SERVICES?
The JRTI Company Lab offers business advising to aspiring entrepreneurs in the tri-county area. From ideation to ribbon cutting-we are here to help you get started and see your project through! JRTI students (both current and former) as well as residents of the Eastern Panhandle (Berkeley, Morgan & Jefferson) of West Virginia can now enjoy free access to business start-up advising and assistance.
HOW CAN WE HELP YOU?
The JRTI Company Lab offers one-on-one advising, small group workshops, co-working space, and networking opportunities. Your business advisor will guide you, help you set business goals and help you meet them! Clients can expect assistance with start-up business planning, business entity development, budgeting and income projection, product development, marketing, and license and/or permitting requirements. JRTI Company Lab will serve as a central support for any inspired individual interested in beginning a journey to owning their own business. It’s easy to get started! Just click the “application” link below and complete the confidential questionnaire. You can expect the Entrepreneurship Instructor to contact you within 1-2 business days.
JRTI Company Lab
James Rumsey Technical Institute
3274 Hedgesville Rd
Martinsburg, WV 25403
(304) 754-7925 ext 40520
Hours
Mon – Fri 8:00 am to 3:00 pm
Our schedule adheres to the Berkeley County Schools calendar including holidays and closures due to inclement weather. Services are available by appointment only.
Business advising
Business resources
Meeting space
Workshops
Co-working space
Makerspace
Some of the school’s capabilities may be made available to assist in developing your business idea. This may include product prototyping and design of marketing materials.
Betsy Heath
betsy.heath@k12.wv.us
Entrepreneurship Instructor, Betsy Heath, is a graduate of Musselman High School and Shepherd University. She has also been a small business owner for over 22 years. She and her husband, Chef Damian Heath, opened Lot 12 Public House in Morgan County in 1999. She has over two decades of experience co-owning and operating their successful restaurant in Berkeley Springs, WV.
Betsy has volunteered in a variety of community organizations. Having served on the Travel Berkeley Springs BOD, the Morgan County Chamber of Commerce BOD, the Morgan County Economic Development Authority BOD, the Morgan County Association for Food and Farms BOD, the Berkeley Springs Farmers Market Committee as well as the Local School Improvement Council, she has over 20 years of economic, business and tourism related community assistance.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for JRTI students and the community! Our brand new space on the JRTI campus and this new program is an initiative of the West Virginia Entrepreneurship Education Collaborative. The program was launched statewide during the summer of 2021 and the JRTI “Company Lab” is the first in the Eastern Panhandle.”
Are you ready to take your business idea to the next level? Follow these steps:
- Complete JRTI-Company Lab Entrepreneur Application online or print and mail in.
- Telephone Interview
- If selected, online or in-person intake meeting with Instructor
- Get Started!