In this episode of Innovators and Entrepreneurs, we talk to Ryan Thorn, the USDA’s state director for West Virginia. Thorn and his department are creating prosperity through rural development and providing critical leadership to develop and support a productive, diverse, and inclusive state workforce. “At Rural Development, I always say we are advocates for, investors in, and partners to rural communities in the people, businesses, and organizations within those communities. In the last fiscal year alone, rural development and our lending partners – we invested more than $390 million in West Virginia through grants, loans, and loan guarantees.” Thorn said. Innovators and Entrepreneurs is a bi-weekly segment of the daily304 that features discussions and wisdom from West Virginians who have built their companies and launched new ideas here in the Mountain State. Links to more information: www.RD.USDA.Gov/WV www.wvsbdc.com www.wvbusinesslink.com