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Gentlemen of The Glessner Group: You are soooo correct that every kid counts, especially now that – without warning – the Governor of West Virginia pulled the plug on the state’s School Voucher Program and has since refused a restart despite the insistence from Treasurer Larry Pack that there’s plenty of money in the coffers. No worries, and that’s because you’ve stepped up by creating the “Back to School Initiative” and partnering with the United Way of the Upper Ohio Valley to administer the program for families and their children in Ohio and Marshall counties. The four of you have stoked the fund with the first $10,000, and this week, Expand Energy and Lisa and Barry Allen became sponsors as well. You’ve made the eligibility guidelines and the application process simple and accessible, so the folks who qualify can get the help they need. In doing so, you’ve saved the first day of school for so many children, and you’ve successfully reminded everyone that our kids should be on the top of our collective priority list – and not just now because they’ll soon head back to their classrooms. So, gentlemen, our motives for writing are simple: Thank you, we appreciate you, and we hope the news of the “Back to School Initiative” spreads as far as necessary. Because kids should always come first. Sincerely, Neighbors to Neighbors P.S. The LINK to the program's details and application can be found HERE. Read the full article

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – State Treasurer Larry Pack today commemorated August 14 as the third annual “National ABLE Savings Day” by encouraging individuals with disabilities to begin saving through the WVABLE program. With no maintenance fee and a $25 match on the required opening deposit for new accounts, now is an excellent time for eligible individuals to open an account. “National ABLE Savings Day is an opportunity to remind West Virginians that financial independence is within reach for many individuals with disabilities,” Treasurer Pack said. “Through WVABLE, families can save for the future while protecting eligibility for important public benefits. There has never been a better time to learn about what WVABLE can offer, which is why we encourage more families to take the first step toward building long-term financial security.” National ABLE Savings Day was organized by the National Association of State Treasurers. As part of the nationwide effort, the West Virginia State Treasurer’s Office is raising awareness of ABLE programs to encourage families, disability advocates, employers, and community organizations across the state to recognize the benefits these plans provide. “We encourage eligible individuals and their families to take advantage of the now $0 account maintenance fee and the STABLE Account enrollment incentive, which matches the required $25 opening deposit,” WVABLE Program Director Roxanne Clay said. “It's an easy way to begin building savings with confidence while protecting eligibility for important public benefits.”  The ABLE Age Adjustment Act, which took effect earlier this year, raised the age limit for the onset of a disability from before 26 to before 46. The new law has led to a 64 percent increase in new WVABLE accounts opened this year. There are currently 1,174 active accounts with WVABLE, with $12.5 million in total assets under management. The average account balance now stands at nearly $10,694. There have been 259 newly enrolled accounts during Fiscal Year 2026 and an increase in total assets under management of $2,981,816. If you are a resident of West Virginia who developed a disability or blindness before the age of 46 and are eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, or have a signed Diagnosis Form from a licensed physician, you can open a STABLE account through WVABLE.  WVABLE is administered by the West Virginia State Treasurer’s Office through a partnership with the Ohio Treasurer’s Office STABLE program. To learn more about WVABLE, determine eligibility or to open an account, visit WVABLE.com. Read the full article

Charleston, W.Va. –  W.Va. Secretary of State Kris Warner and the W.Va. Office of Entrepreneurship (WVOE) are inviting entrepreneurs, designers, and community members from across the Mountain State to help shape the Office's visual identity by submitting ideas for its new logo. The launch of the WVOE took place on July 1st. The launch coincided with the first day on the job for Office of Entrepreneurship Coordinator Lesli Taylor. Taylor has spent her first month traveling throughout West Virginia to meet with members of the WV Entrepreneurship Ecosystem (WVEE), business owners, community organizations, state leaders, and other stakeholders. During the WVEE's monthly conference call held on Tuesday, Taylor announced the WVOE's effort to gather public input on the logo design. "We want the logo to reflect the spirit of entrepreneurship in West Virginia and the people who are helping build that future," Taylor said. "This is an opportunity for creative minds across the state to contribute ideas and help shape the identity of this new office." Participants are encouraged to submit anything from verbal descriptions and design concepts to individual visual elements or fully developed logo designs. There are no size, shape, or format requirements. "Whether you're a professional designer, business owner, entrepreneur, student, or simply someone passionate about West Virginia's future, we welcome your ideas," Taylor said. "This is a blank canvas, and we want the design process to be collaborative." All submissions will be reviewed, and concepts that best represent the WVOE's mission and vision may be incorporated into the final logo design. The WVOE exists to serve as the State's representative for entrepreneurs and small business owners by filling the gap between government requirements and what the private sector needs to be successful in new business creation. Click here to learn more about the WVOE. The deadline to submit logo design ideas is August 31. Individuals interested in participating may submit ideas and designs by email to Lesli Taylor at [email protected]. Read the full article