West Virginia launches certified veteran-owned business program in Huntington

West Virginia Secretary of State Kris Warner launched the state’s Certified Veteran-Owned Business Program on July 10, 2026, during the American Legion State Convention in Huntington.

The action establishes a state-administered certification pathway for veteran-owned businesses through the West Virginia Secretary of State’s office. The program was formally introduced at the convention in Huntington, linking the launch of the statewide government initiative to the city.

A state certification program

The Secretary of State’s office described the initiative as a West Virginia certification program for veteran-owned businesses. Its launch marks the program’s introduction by the office responsible for administering it.

The announcement identifies the program as the West Virginia Certified Veteran-Owned Business Program. It does not describe the initiative as a contract award, tax-benefit program or automatic entitlement to state business.

Certification programs can create an official state process for identifying businesses that meet the program’s standards. In this case, the available announcement confirms the creation of the certification program but does not provide the underlying eligibility standards or application procedures.

What has and has not been announced

The July 10 event was a launch, rather than a legislative vote, court ruling or enforcement action. The available official announcement does not identify a vote total, a bill number, a funding amount or a regulatory deadline associated with the program.

It also does not state when applications will open, whether a certification fee will apply, how long certification will last, or how many businesses are expected to participate. Those details would be necessary for businesses seeking to determine how the program will operate in practice.

Likewise, the announcement does not say that certified businesses will automatically receive state contracts or tax benefits. Any such benefit would require support in program rules or other state guidance not included in the announcement.

Local launch of a statewide initiative

Warner’s office chose the American Legion State Convention in Huntington for the program’s formal launch. The Secretary of State’s announcement identifies Huntington as the location of the event and the office as the agency administering the new certification program.

For veteran-owned businesses, the confirmed development is the establishment of a state certification pathway. The next operational steps, including application timing and qualification requirements, were not provided in the available announcement.