Governor Earl Ray Tomblin created RISE West Virginia in response to critical needs in the small business community resulting from the devastating floods of June 2016. As a part of RISE West Virginia, a public-private mini-grant program provides assistance for small businesses that were operational before the flooding and are working to reopen while struggling with existing debt and limited resources.

The program is co-sponsored by West Virginia native and Intuit CEO and Chairman Brad Smith. The West Virginia Development Office oversees the program in partnership with the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce.