The West Virginia Secretary of State’s Office registered 1,576 new businesses statewide in October, according to Secretary of State Kris Warner.
Kanawha, Berkeley, Monongalia, Jefferson, and Raleigh counties led the state in new business registrations for the month.
Top Five Counties in Total New Businesses Registered (October):
Kanawha County – 138
Berkeley County – 123
Monongalia County – 79
Jefferson County – 78
Raleigh County – 63
Of the 1,576 new businesses registered in October, 96 were non-profits, and 155 qualified for one of the state’s fee-waiver programs. The Boots to Business incentive waives the initial registration fee and the first four years of Annual Report filing fees—saving new owners up to $250.
New Business Owners Eligible for WVSOS Cost-Saving Programs:
– Veterans, active-duty service members, and military spouses: 92
– New business owners under age 30: 63
Statewide, West Virginia registered 18,656 new businesses over the past 12 months, from November 1, 2024, to October 31, 2025. In total, 170,624 businesses are currently registered to operate in the state. County-by-county data is available through the Secretary of State’s Business Statistics Database.
Business Tip of the Month
Revocation Notices have been mailed to businesses that have failed to file their required Annual Report for the past three years. Businesses can avoid administrative dissolution by filing before the date listed on the notice.
Failure to file will result in the business being Administratively Dissolved, meaning it may no longer legally operate in West Virginia.
To file an Annual Report, visit Onestop.wv.gov, scroll to the bottom, and select “File Annual Report.”
The 2026 Annual Report becomes available on January 1, 2026.
The WVSOS Business Division continues to partner with the West Virginia Department of Commerce to connect entrepreneurs with resources and support. More information is available through WV Business-Link.