Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) Executive Director/General Counsel Jonathan Belcher, left, presents a ceremonial check to Barry Reese, of Adria Auto & Truck Repair, representing the VCEDA seed capital matching grant the North Tazewell business recently received. Also pictured are Pam Warden, Tazewell County Economic Development Manager; and Maggie Asbury, right, a member of the Tazewell County Board of Supervisors and the VCEDA Board.
NORTH TAZEWELL, VA – August 29, 2018 — With a nationwide shortage of mechanics in the news these days, the Tazewell County area will soon have another option for car and truck repairs available as Barry Reese and his son, Lee, open Adria Auto & Truck Repair in North Tazewell in October.
The first order of business, according to Barry Reese, was the construction and equipping of a 5,000-square-foot building, made possible in part by a $10,000 Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) seed capital matching grant the business applied for and received. The building is nearing completion now and an October 15 opening date is projected.
“The seed capital grant will allow us to open up debt free,” Barry says, noting he has made a significant capital investment from his own funds to get the business ready to go. “The VCEDA grant allowed me to get the equipment I wanted.”
“Adria Auto and Truck Repair was an ideal candidate for a VCEDA Seed Capital Matching Grant given both the identified need for auto mechanics and the business plan Barry established which at the end of three years is projected to create four full-time jobs,” said VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel Jonathan Belcher.
The new full-service facility, when open, will offer repair and service for vehicles to include state inspection, alignments, tire changes and tire repair, engine repairs, tune-ups, transmission service, oil changes and diagnostic work.
Lee will serve as lead mechanic and Barry, who is a retired Norfolk Southern Railroad director of locomotive operations, will serve as the general manager of the new business. A front office receptionist will be the first person hired.
“There’s been a lot of work to be done,” says Barry, noting the footers on the new building were dug and poured in April, with the building block laying, concrete work and construction following. The roof trusses went on earlier this summer.
The building features five bays – one each for inspection; alignment; heavy repair; lube, and oil; and tire changing and repairs. A 15,000-pound lift will take care of big trucks.
“About the only thing we won’t do here is rebuild transmissions,” Barry says. “We will replace them and service them.”
Barry says Adria Auto and Truck Repair is working in advance of opening to recruit business not only from area residents, but also by approaching various body shops which need work and local dealerships as well.
Another service to be offered is tractor-trailer inspections. With a special pad location outdoors, complete with 35-ton jacks, Adria Auto and Truck Repair will be able to assist truckers in getting their required inspections and have them on the road again within 40 minutes.
Barry sums up his thoughts on the project. “Working with my son to develop the business has been a great experience and we look forward to opening in October.”
Adria Truck and Auto Repair is located at 1727 Adria Road in Tazewell. Once open, its daily hours will be 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
About Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority and 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 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.