HAYSI VA – DECEMBER 13, 2021 – When Bass and Brass LLC opened earlier this year, owner Tessa Deel’s goal was to create a one-stop shop for hunting and fishing supplies and a place where sportsmen could buy, sell and trade their gear and equipment.
Bass and Brass LLC is a recent recipient of a $6,500 Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) seed capital matching grant.
“With the ever-growing interest in the outdoors in our region, Bass and Brass LLC created a new business to meet some of the needs of sportsmen in our area, as well as the growing number of tourists we are seeing in the e-Region,” said VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel Jonathan Belcher.
Deel noted the seed capital grant had helped the business to expand its inventory to meet growing demand for its products.
“The seed capital grant helped us tremendously,” Deel said. “It has allowed us to fully stock our shelves. It gave us a little bit of a security blanket and a leg up to have not only what we need, but a more diverse selection of items.”
Located at 563 Greenbrier Road in Haysi, Bass and Brass sells hunting and fishing supplies as well as guns, ammunition, archery supplies and more. Full gunsmithing services are offered including cleaning, maintenance, repairs, bluing and hydro dipping of all firearms.
Accessories, metal signs, live bait and more round out the store’s offerings.
Deel’s husband, Chad, operates the store on a day-to-day basis and Deel provides bookkeeping support, as well as help in the store evenings and weekends.
Store hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Customers may also reach the store by messaging through its Facebook page, or by calling (276) 865-7560.
“Receiving this grant greatly helped us get this business off the ground and hopefully, we’ll be a thriving business in our area for years to come,” Deel added.
Deel worked with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Southwest Virginia Community College (SWCC) in the development of her application to VCEDA and received a letter of support from the Dickenson County Industrial Development Authority.
“The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Southwest Virginia Community College was happy to assist Brass and Bass LLC in Dickenson County with applying for the VCEDA Seed Capital Matching Fund Grant,” said Misty Bandy, SBDC business advisor at SWCC. “The services and products offered by the store and its staff will provide sportsman and outdoor enthusiasts in the area with one-stop shopping for their gunsmithing, hunting, fishing and archery supplies.”
Bandy noted by working with the SBDC staff (a requirement of the grant), Brass and Bass LLC is poised to promote the growth and sustainability of the business.
“The SWCC SBDC office looks forward to continuing to work with Tessa, as she introduces new products and service lines while continuing to provide knowledgeable, efficient and friendly customer service,” Bandy said.
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.