A ceremonial check representing the seed capital matching grant funding approved for Sergent Tire LLC in Clintwood, Va., was presented recently to Adrian Sergent, second from left, owner of the tire shop in Dickenson County. He is pictured with VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel Jonathan Belcher, second from right, who made the check presentation; and Mitzi Sykes, Dickenson County Economic Development Director, left; and Tim Blankenbecler, of the Small Business Development Center at Mountain Empire Community College, right.
CLINTWOOD, VA – JUNE 24, 2019 – Dickenson and surrounding county residents looking for a place to purchase either new or used tires have an option available to them at Sergent Tire in Clintwood.
The tire shop, owned by Adrian Sergent, was recently approved for a $10,000 seed capital matching grant from the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA).
“Assisting entrepreneurs in establishing and growing their new businesses is the goal of VCEDA’s Seed Capital Matching Grant program,” said VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel Jonathan Belcher. “Sergent Tire identified a need in Dickenson County and put into action a plan to develop and grow the business. VCEDA was pleased to assist in its continued growth.”
Sergent Tire officially opened its doors in a two-bay garage being rented from Vanover Supply in May 2018. In addition to new and used tires, the tire shop offers oil, brake, rotor and drum changes, tire mounting, balancing and plugging and other basic automotive services.
Sergent noted the business plans to use the seed capital grant to add a storage building to free up one of the garage bays where used tires are now stored, thereby allowing multiple vehicles to be worked on at the same time. The purchase of additional tools and equipment is another planned use of the grant.
“It has really allowed us to expand and grow,” Sergent said.
Sergent worked with Tim Blankenbecler, of the Small Business Development Center at Mountain Empire Community College, in the development of his business plan and application to VCEDA.
Earlier this year, the tire shop received a Dickenson County Chamber of Commerce “Best of the Best” award.
Sergent’s wife, Hollie takes care of bookkeeping and payroll and his father-in-law, Everett Moore, also helps with the repair work on a part-time basis. Just recently, Sergent noted, the tire shop hired a part-time employee. The business application projected one full-time and one part-time job within a year.
“Sergent Tire caters to a wide variety of customers, including drivers, farmers, machine operators and ATV enthusiasts,” Sergent said. “We offer used tires which allows us to cater to customers who are not able to afford the higher price of new tires.”
Plans for the future include completing the process of becoming a certified Virginia vehicle inspection station.
Sergent Tire, located on 3396 Coeburn Road in Clintwood, is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
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.