WISE, VA – DECEMBER 17, 2021 – While winter is the off-season for homeowners as far as getting a pool project underway, it’s the perfect time of year to plan for those projects, according to Jordan Hughes, owner of Wise Guys Pools.
Hughes Enterprises LLC, doing business as Wise Guys Pools, is a recent recipient of a $6,500 Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) seed capital matching grant.
“VCEDA was pleased to assist Wise Guys Pools through the seed capital matching grant fund program,” said VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel Jonathan Belcher. “Wise Guys Pools projects three full-time jobs and four part-time jobs within five years.”
Wise Guys Pools both sells and installs above ground pools and Hughes said its service area includes Wise County and other localities in far Southwest Virginia.
In addition to pool sales and installation, the new business offers pool liner replacement services; weekly pool maintenance; home and deck pressure washing; and deck staining. Free quotes are available for all pool installations and service options.
“The VCEDA seed capital grant placed me on a level playing field,” Hughes said, adding, “before that, we were behind the eight-ball.”
Hughes noted the seed capital funds were used for tools, inventory items and supplies.
“Before, not having some of the inventory I need for maintenance and repairs, not to mention pools on hand to sell, we missed out on business,” Hughes said.
In 2021, Hughes said the business installed eight new pools and completed a number of repair projects for pool owners.
The business has a Facebook page and may be reached at 276-219-2244.
Hughes worked with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Mountain Empire Community College (MECC) in the development of his application to VCEDA and received a letter of support from the Wise County Industrial Development Authority.
“Wise Guys Pools created a niche business during the pandemic to meet the needs of residents in the region,” said MECC SBDC Director Becki O’Quinn-Purdie. “The VCEDA Seed Capital Fund helped Jordan build his business to meet the high demands of customers. MECC SBDC enjoyed working with Wize Guys Pools and seeing this small business grow in the past months.”
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.