Amanda Page, a participant in the 2021 program, plans on opening a bookstore in downtown Portsmouth. We sat down to interview her and learn more about her business idea as well as her skills as an author, journalist, director, and entrepreneur.

The ECDI Women’s Business Center of Central Appalachia opened on June 1st, 2021 in Portsmouth, Ohio. Director Kelly O’Bryant has big plans for the first WBC outside of Cleveland, Cincinnati, or Columbus!

This case study examines how our rural community strategically leverages diverse sources of funding to support the staffing, programming, and physical space necessary to build out a tech-based economy ecosystem.

Last week, the LIGHTS Regional Innovation Network was given a tour of the Shawnee State University Kricker Innovation Hub’s building renovation located at 221 Chillicothe Street in Downtown Portsmouth. We can’t wait to officially open our doors in Spring 2022!

On Thursday, December 9th the Shawnee State University Kricker Innovation Hub hosted its last entrepreneurial journey speaker series of the semester at the Glockner Museum on Market Street Square

Newly chartered at Shawnee State University, the Entrepreneurship Club is designed to help current SSU students gain exposure in different fields while developing skills they can use in their future careers.

Portsmouth was recently selected by the Center on Rural Innovation to be included in its 'Portraits of a Community' series!

Portsmouth based startup Local Happenings has been selected to participate in a nationwide virtual pitch event hosted by the Center on Rural Innovation!

The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) has named David Kilroy, Program Director of the Shawnee State University Kricker Innovation Hub, to participate in the 2021-2022 class of the Appalachian Leadership Institute!

September 24th is the inaugural Ohio Tech Day, a celebration of Ohio’s emerging tech industry.

Thanks to support from the Center on Rural Innovation, SSU Alumni Dane Simpkins will be serving the Hub for a year with the mission of increasing digital skilling initiatives in Southern Ohio.

Ariana Ulloa-Olavarrieta is deeply rooted in the world of business development. With a degree in economics, a background in the banking industry, a small startup company, and a pilot program called the Latino Small Business Development Center on her resume - she was already considered a leader in her field. But she went on to join the LIGHTS Regional Innovation Network because it was time for a change.

Eighteen teams of potential entrepreneurs began the six-week boot camp last month. There, they received support towards getting their business idea off the ground. Boot camp participants learned how to utilize the business model canvas, market their products and services, and crafted a pitch for a panel of judges on Thursday, June 24th.

Mike Thompson, Treasurer of the Tri-State Angel Investment Group (TSAIG), has been in the business game for a long time. Recently, we spoke to Mike about the future of entrepreneurship in Appalachia, TSIAG’s investment strategy, and the long term outlook for the SSU Kricker Innovation Hub.

The Hub has been selected by the Center on Rural Innovation to receive 2 AmeriCorps VISTA members to help us build our capacity and programs related to Digital Jobs Training!

The new Women’s Business Center of Central Appalachia Will Provide Training, Assistance and Loan Capital to Women-Owned Small Businesses.

The 2021 Glockner Dare to Dream was a huge success! Congratulations to all the winners and a big thank you to our wonderful sponsors!

The Morning Dew Hop Farm, Spa, and Brewery is an innovative business in Meigs County, Ohio.