CENTER FOR ENTREPRENEURIAL STUDIES AND DEVELOPMENT INC

THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE CENTER FOR ENTREPRENEURIAL STUDIES AND DEVELOPMENT, INC. IS TO PROMOTE ADVANCEMENT OF EDUCATION, RESEARCH, AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INCLUDING REDUCING THE BURDEN OF GOVERNMENT. THE CENTER CONDUCTS A VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES TO PROVIDE FACULTY AND STUDENTS AT WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND MINERAL RESOURCES AN OPPORTUNITY TO STUDY BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURIAL ACTIVITY. IN ADDITION, THE CENTER ITSELF SUPPORTS EDUCATIONAL AND RESEARCH PROJECTS AT WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY AND OTHER EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS IN WEST VIRGINIA. THE CENTER'S PRINCIPAL ACTIVTIES ARE:(SEE SCHEDULE O FOR CONTINUATION)1. TEACHING AND RESEARCH - ASSIST WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY AND OTHERS IN RESEARCH, INSTRUCTION, AND SERVICE IN THE FIELDS AFFECTED BY ENTREPRENEURIAL ACTIVITY, BUSINESS PRODUCTIVITY, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND INNOVATION IN BUSINESS METHODS OR PRODUCTS.2. ECONOMICALLY DEPRESSED AREAS - THE CENTER, IN COOPERATION WITH VARIOUS PUBLIC AND PRIVATE AGENCIES AND ENTITIES, HAS STRONG INTEREST IN PROJECTS WHICH ARE DESIGNED TO STABILIZE OR INCREASE EMPLOYMENT IN ECONOMICALLY DEPRESSED AREAS. THESE PROJECTS INCLUDE ATTENTION TO SPECIFIC BUSINESS PROBLEMS, TO RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT FOR STABILIZING OR INCREASING EMPLOYMENT, AND TO THE IDENTIFICATION OF SUITABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES AND PROGRAMS FOR THESE DEPRESSED AREAS.3. REDUCING THE BURDEN OF GOVERNMENT - THE CENTER HAS EXTENSIVE PROJECT WORK WITH A VARIETY OF WEST VIGINIA STATE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES INCLUDING THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE. THESE PROJECTS ARE TARGETED TO TAKE BUSINESS PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES, SOME DEVELOPED BY THE CENTER IN ITS WORK, AND APPLY THEM TO AGENCY PROBLEMS AND CHALLENGES. CESD HAS BEEN ENGAGED IN ASSISTING SPECIFIC COMMISSIONS CREATED TO WORK ON CRITICAL ISSUES FACING THE STATE. THESE ARE OFTEN ROOTED IN HIGH COSTS TO THE STATE THROUGH USE OF TAX REVENUES.4. PROJECT ACTIVITIES - PROJECTS PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH INTENSIVE PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE IN SOLVING ACTUAL BUSINESS PROBLEMS. OTHERS ADDRESS RESEARCH AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF DEPRESSED AREAS. THE CENTER WORKS WITH VARIOUS PUBLIC AND PRIVATE ENTITIES IN OR NEAR WEST VIRGINIA TO INCREASE THE SKILL LEVEL OF THE WORK FORCE, TO IMPROVE THE COMPETITIVENESS OF THE ORGANIZATION AND TO INCREASE NEW BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES. THIS INCLUDES WORKING WITH THE STATE GOVERNMENT SYSTEM TO IMPROVE THE SKILLS OF EMPLOYEES.5. THE CENTER SUPPORTS THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AT WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY. DURING THE 2017/2018 FISCAL YEAR OF THE CENTER, SEVERAL COURSES AT THE UNIVERSITY WERE TAUGHT BY CENTER STAFF. IN ADDITION, THE CENTER HAS DEVELOPED A NUMBER OF NEW LESSONS FROM ITS PROJECT EXPERIENCES THAT ARE NOW BEING USED IN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AT WVU AND OTHER EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AS WELL AS IN THE STATE GOVERNMENT SECTOR. THE CENTER ALSO SUPPORTS A PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM THAT HAS BECOME A ROLE MODEL FOR OTHER CAMPUSES. THE CENTER STAFF ARE ALSO WIDELY CONSULTED BY GOVERNMENT DECISION MAKERS ON A NON-PARTISAN BASIS TO PROVIDE PUBLIC POLICY ADVICE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ISSUES AND TECHNIQUES. THROUGH THE CENTER'S STUDENT INTERNSHIP PROGRAMS, THOUSANDS OF HOURS OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE SUPPORT WERE PROVIDED TO BUSINESSES, YIELDING VALUABLE EDUCATIONAL CASE STUDIES, SUBSTANTIAL RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES TO ENCOURAGE EMPLOYMENT STABILITY OR EMPLOYMENT GROWTH IN VARIOUS ECONOMICALLY DEPRESSED AREAS OF WEST VIRGINIA.