CASTLEWOOD, VA – JUNE 2, 2021 — If it’s metal, Copper Creek Metal Works LLC in Russell County can make it.
Jonathan and Allison Byerley, of Castlewood, opened their new metal cutting and fabrication business, Copper Creek Metal Works LLC, offering custom designs for businesses and homes – from simple wall décor and signs, to farm entrance decorations, logos, fire pits, shelving, furniture, privacy walls, special designs and more.
Copper Creek Metal Works is a recent recipient of a $9,000 Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) seed capital matching grant.
“VCEDA was pleased to assist Copper Creek Metal Works LLC with a seed capital matching grant,” said VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel Jonathan Belcher. “Copper Creek Metal Works is offering a wide variety of products for both business and residential use, opening several markets for their new business which projects one full time and one part-time job.”
Jonathan and Allison Byerley’s new business, Copper Creek Metal Works LLC is a recent recipient of a VCEDA Seed Capital Matching Grant. They are pictured here with their daughter, Graycen, and some of the signs which have been made by the business which also cuts and fabricates logos, fire pits, shelving, furniture, privacy walls, custom designs and more.
Jonathan Byerley has been welding and fabricating metal for the past 12 years and his wife, Allison, is handling the administrative side of the new business. It was a desire to continue to explore the creative side of fabrication that led them to forming their own company and opening their own business. With a toddler under the age of two, forming their own company also gave Allison the flexibility to be at home with their daughter, Graycen, while managing the administrative tasks associated with the business.
Plasma metal cutting and fabrication services allow Copper Creek Metals Works, LLC to take a customer’s sketches or ideas and turn them into custom-made, one-of-a-kind works of art. From monogrammed name signs, to specific text and more, a variety of sizes of metal art are available to meet customer sizing specifications.
In addition to purchasing directly from Copper Creek Metal Works, a number of stores in the region carry their products — from Abingdon General Store and Phat Bac’s Flower Shack in Abingdon; to Southern Collective in Gate City; the Orchard Barn in St. Paul; Izzy’s Boutique in Jonesborough, Tenn.; The Trading Shoppes in Asheville, NC; the Tanger Outlets in Blowing Rock, NC, to name a few. Additional locations are being added and purchases may also be made and/or custom art submitted as a sketch or photo for a price quote through the messaging option on the Copper Creek Metal Works Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Copper-Creek-Metal-Works-103399851689494 or by email to coppercreekmetalworks@yahoo.com.
According to Allison Byerley, the seed capital matching grant was used to purchase equipment and inventory and for operating costs.
“This is something we could not have done without this grant opportunity,” she said of the VCEDA seed capital grant and how it assisted with the business start-up.
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.