PENNINGTON GAP, VA – FEBRUARY 4, 2021 — It was a discussion one day with their grandchildren that led Janice and Taylor Scott, of Pennington Gap, to open Nana’s Country Kitchen, LLC. As their grandchildren talked about their memories of sharing food and fun at “Nana’s house,” the Scotts decided to open their sit-down restaurant in the Lee County community.
Nana’s Country Kitchen is a recent recipient of a $10,000 seed capital matching grant from the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA). The Scotts used the funding to upgrade equipment at the new restaurant.
“Helping small business entrepreneurs in our region to grow the economy from within is the primary goal of the seed capital matching grant fund offered by VCEDA,” said Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA executive director/general counsel. “Nana’s Country Kitchen, LLC projects four full-time and seven part-time jobs within three years.”
The full-service restaurant is located at 191 Industrial Drive in Pennington Gap and has a seating capacity of 96.
In choosing the location, the Scotts said they looked for a space large enough to accommodate civic club meetings, church groups and users of the Spearhead Trails system in addition to members of the Lee County community.
The restaurant is located behind the Convenient Inn Motel and has housed other restaurants in the past.
Janice takes care of the day-to-day operations at the restaurant and has prior restaurant experience. Taylor takes care of getting in needed supplies, maintenance and also assists in customer relations.
The restaurant is open Wednesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for lunch and dinner. Long range plans include adjusting their hours to add breakfast.
The Lee County Economic Development Authority wrote a letter of support for the project. The Scotts worked with Tim Blankenbecler, of the Small Business Development Center at Mountain Empire Community College, on the development of their business plan and application to VCEDA.
About Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority and Southwest Virginia’s e-Region: The Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority, created by the Virginia General Assembly in 1988 to enhance and diversify the region’s economy and help create jobs, markets Southwest Virginia’s e-Region and its focus on electronic information technology, energy, education, emerging technologies, and entrepreneurship. VCEDA is a unique economic development organization that manages funds for economic development projects from a percentage of the coal and natural gas severance taxes paid by coal and natural gas companies that operate in the region. Located in southwestern Virginia, the region includes Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Tazewell, and Wise counties and the City of Norton. www.vceda.us or www.e-Region.org.
About the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority Seed Capital Matching Grant Fund: VCEDA region for-profit businesses one year and under with less than 10 full-time employees are eligible to apply for dollar-for-dollar matching grants up to $10,000 from the VCEDA Seed Capital Matching Fund. Applicants work with the Small Business Development Centers at Mountain Empire and Southwest Virginia community colleges to prepare the applications to VCEDA that include detailed business and financial plans. Businesses must be located in or plan to operate in the VCEDA region in southwestern Virginia that includes Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Tazewell, and Wise counties and the City of Norton.