HONAKER, VA – FEBRUARY 25, 2021 — When welding services are needed, it’s not always convenient to have to take the piece of equipment or item into the shop to have it fixed. That’s where Nxtgen Mobile Welding Services, LLC comes in.
Antony Chestin Wright, of Honaker, opened the business, with the idea of providing welding services on site for area farms, businesses, or residential customers in Russell, Buchanan, Tazewell and Washington counties. Nxtgen Mobile Welding Services, LLC is a recent recipient of a Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) $9,000 seed capital matching grant.
“Nxtgen Mobile Welding Services, LLC’s business model of providing its services on site was a unique way to expand on current markets and needs for welding services and really made the Nxtgen application for seed capital funding stand out,” said VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel Jonathan Belcher. “The business projects up to three full-time jobs.”
Wright noted Nxtgen provides welding needs on site, getting equipment back up and running sooner or other repairs made in a manner easier for the customer who doesn’t have to figure out a way to get heavy equipment or other bulky metal components into a shop for repair.
“We offer a tailored service designed to fit the needs of our customers,” Wright said, noting Nxtgen is available for small jobs, residential needs or government contracting. “We are an all in one custom fabrication and welding solution. We work with residential customers and commercial businesses to keep them up and running at affordable rates.”
Past experience has included everything from working on metal fences and farm equipment to welding handrails and guardrails on bridges and rebuilding platforms to meet code requirements.
“We can help local farmers with their equipment repairs and we work with local shops to do their field work,” Wright said. “Every job counts and if something I can do keeps a business up and running, then that’s what I will do my best to accomplish.”
Currently, Wright offers services in Russell, Buchanan, Dickenson, Tazewell and Washington counties.
Wright said he hopes to bring on an apprentice to work with him and currently, he said, his wife, Kandice, assists him with the administrative work required of the business. Wright received his welding certification through Southwest Virginia Community College in 2010.
The seed capital grant from VCEDA, he said, has been used to purchase equipment and supplies.
“It’s been absolutely like a dream come true,” Wright said of what the grant has meant to his new business. “I put a lot of time and money in to buy equipment and have the right tools. The VCEDA grant opened doors for me to not have to rely on outsourcing with tools. I have been able to purchase some of the ones I need.”
Wright worked with the Small Business Development Center at Southwest Virginia Community College on the development of Nxtgen’s business plan and application to VCEDA. The Russell County Industrial Development Authority wrote a letter of support for the project.
The Honaker-based business is on Facebook and may also be reached by calling 276-873-1934.
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.