Organization · Community
Charleston Area Alliance
The Charleston Area Alliance is a nonprofit organization focused on economic and community development in Charleston, West Virginia. It serves as a catalyst for business growth and job creation in the Kanawha Valley.
Overview
What Charleston Area Alliance does
What Charleston Area Alliance is
The Charleston Area Alliance is a nonprofit organization focused on economic and community development in Charleston, West Virginia. It serves as a catalyst for business growth and job creation in the Kanawha Valley.
How it participates in the startup ecosystem
The current public profile supports community and event host capabilities. Each capability below is shown separately so organization identity and role-specific information do not get conflated.
Operational profile
Organization status and context
Organization status describes the entity itself. Funding and program availability appear within the relevant capability profile.
- Operational status
- Active
- Organization type
- Community
- Founded
- Founded in 2004
- Approximate age
- About 22 years
- Structured capabilities
- Community · Event host
- Last reviewed
- March 19, 2026
Official channels
Find Charleston Area Alliance elsewhere
Open the official website or a supported primary organization account.
Capability profile
Charleston Area Alliance as a community
Community overview
The Charleston Area Alliance is an organization formed in 2004 through the merger of three entities: the Business & Industrial Development Corporation (BIDCO), the Charleston Renaissance Corporation, and the Charleston Regional Chamber of Commerce. It is based in Charleston, West Virginia, and focuses on economic development, community revitalization, and chamber of commerce services to enhance the quality of life in the Kanawha Valley.
Community focus
The Charleston Area Alliance invests in economic development, community programs, and small business support. It aims to attract and retain innovative industries and talent, promote urban living, and create a vibrant community. Key sectors include chemical manufacturing, automotive components, and technology. The organization supports local businesses through initiatives like the Business Incubator and Small Business Grants.
Member value
Members benefit from access to resources and support for business growth, networking opportunities, and participation in community programs aimed at enhancing economic development.
Membership
- Pricing models
- free
Format and cadence
- Modality
- in-person
- Schedule
- rolling-admissions
- Commitment
- light
Availability
- Membership state
- Accepting
Audience and fit
- Audience
- Founders · Operators · Students
- Benefits
- network-access and mentorship
- Program types
- community and bootcamp
- Selection criteria
- open
- Regions
- United States
Community activity
Events and activity
The Charleston Area Alliance hosts several programs and events, including 'Up Next Charlie West', a program connecting young professionals and creatives; 'Leadership Kanawha Valley', a leadership development program for local business professionals; 'Business After Hours', monthly networking events for professionals; and 'Downtown Open', a summer event transforming downtown Charleston into a pop-up putt-putt course.
Notable members
Key team members include Mara Boggs (President & CEO), Paula Sims (Vice President of Administration & Operations), and Andrew 'Drew' Dunlap (Vice President of Economic Development).
Capability profile
Charleston Area Alliance as an event host
Event focus
The Charleston Area Alliance invests in economic development, community programs, and small business support. It aims to attract and retain innovative industries and talent, promote urban living, and create a vibrant community. Key sectors include chemical manufacturing, automotive components, and technology. The organization supports local businesses through initiatives like the Business Incubator and Small Business Grants.
Format and cadence
- Startups can present
- No
Availability
- Registration state
- Not currently accepting
Audience and fit
- Audience
- Founders · Corporate Innovators
- Regions
- United States
Common questions
What to know about Charleston Area Alliance
Upseed classifies Charleston Area Alliance under the Community organization type. Its current public profile includes community and event host capabilities.
Source and update disclosure
Know what this page is based on
Source basis
Public organization and program material, official websites, and structured Upseed records.
Last reviewed
March 19, 2026
Known limits
Capability profiles appear only when a structured public profile also contains decision-useful role evidence. Terms and availability can change.
Upseed is an independent guide. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the organization described on this page.