Governor Announces SunCoke Energy to Invest $50 Million in Buchanan County Operation
Governor Ralph Northam announced May 24 that SunCoke Energy, Inc. (NYSE: SXC), the largest independent producer of high-quality coke for blast furnace steel production in the Americas, will invest $50 million in its manufacturing operation in Buchanan County to refurbish the facility as well as perform upgrades to enable the production of foundry coke. Virginia successfully competed with Ohio for the project, which will retain approximately 100 jobs.
“VCEDA congratulates SunCoke on its expansion and the diversification of its operations in Buchanan County, Virginia. SunCoke is truly one of the region’s outstanding businesses and employers and we are very proud to have the company in the area.”
Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel
Read more about the SunCoke Energy Announcement.
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Delegate Will Morefield, second from left, provides an update on a meeting held recently with West Virginia officials on the Coalfields Expressway project. Sen. Travis Hackworth, left, who was also in attendance at the meeting agreed the meeting was an important step in advancing the project. Also pictured are Jay Rife, chairman of the CFX Authority Board, second from right; and Jonathan Belcher, executive director of the authority board, right.
Virginia CFX Authority Continues Work to Advance Coalfields Expressway
Members of the Virginia Coalfields Expressway (CFX) Authority Board gave CFX Authority Executive Director Jonathan Belcher the approval May 24 to work with state legislators to craft special legislation to help advance the roadway.
The action came during a meeting of the authority board at the Southern Gap Transportation and Logistics Center in Buchanan County. It was noted any legislation drafted would be presented for consideration by the authority board this fall prior to it being submitted to the Virginia General Assembly for consideration when it meets in regular session in January.
The importance of working with local coal companies to create coal synergies in the development of the roadway were also discussed with CFX Authority board member James Keen suggesting the time is now to begin those talks.
Read more about the Virginia CFX Authority Meeting.
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A ceremonial check representing a $100,000 grant from VCEDA to SWCC for emerging workforce training and development was presented in late May at SWCC. On hand for the presentation, from left, were Randall Rose, SWCC dean of workforce and continuing education; Susan Lowe, SWCC vice president of institutional advancement; and Jonathan Belcher VCEDA executive director/general counsel.
VCEDA Grant to SWCC Will Support Emerging Workforce Training, Development
An up to $100,000 grant from the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) to the Southwest Virginia Community College (SWCC) Educational Foundation to be used for emerging workforce development and training was announced in late May at the college.
Funding for the grant came from the VCEDA Coalfield Workforce Development and Training Fund which is funded by coal tax credit monies previously allocated to VCEDA. The funds will be used by SWCC to provide scholarships in emerging workforce programs to coalfield area residents and/or those who work in the VCEDA region. The funds will also be used for training instructional costs, customized workforce training for area businesses, costs of assessments and costs of administering National Career Readiness Certificates and other workforce testing.
“Southwest Virginia Community College identified a gap in available financial resources to support the workforce development and training of the emerging workforce in the VCEDA region and as a result, that’s where this request for funding came in. VCEDA is pleased to assist SWCC with this funding enabling them to provide new opportunities to assist in employee development in certain high-demand fields, while at the same time providing assistance to businesses in our region looking for employees with certain skill sets.”
Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel
Read more about the SWCC Grant.
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Jessica Whitt opened Whitt Insurance Agency, LLC in Honaker. Her new business was a recent recipient of a $9,000 VCEDA Seed Capital Matching Grant.
Whitt Insurance Agency, LLC Approved for Seed Capital Grant
Community involvement has always been important to Jessica Whitt, of Honaker, who opened her own business, Whitt Insurance Agency, LLC in Honaker in July 2020. Whitt Insurance Agency, LLC is a recent recipient of a $9,000 Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) seed capital grant.
The company provides insurance coverage for auto, home, condo, townhouse, mobile homes, boats, motorcycles, ATVs, rentals and more to those in need of insurance. Life insurance, health insurance, commercial business and workers compensation insurance are also offered under the Farmers Insurance umbrella.
“Whitt Insurance Agency, LLC had a good business plan to grow their new business in Honaker. The business projects two full-time employees and one part-time employee.”
Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel
Read more about Whitt Insurance Agency, LLC.
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The Play Hut, PLLC in Lebanon, Va., was a recent recipient of a VCEDA seed capital matching grant. Owner, Kelsey Bush, pictured, projects a July opening date for the new business which will offer focused outpatient occupational therapy for children. Currently, renovations are underway at the 635 West Main Street, Lebanon, location.
Seed Capital Grant Approved for Play Hut, PLLC
Children with developmental delays, congenital disorders, neurological disorders, cognitive disorders, autism, cerebral palsy, ADHD, prematurity, sensory processing disorders and many other diagnoses seen in children, will soon have a place in Russell County for focused outpatient occupational therapy in an indoor setting geared especially for them.
The Play Hut, PLLC, operated by Kelsey Bush, of Lebanon, a registered and licensed occupational therapist, strives to bring pediatric health and wellness opportunities to underserved communities in Southwest Virginia. The Play Hut, PLLC, was a recent recipient of a $9,000 Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) seed capital matching grant.
“The services projected to be offered by The Play Hut, PLLC, made their seed capital grant application quite unique. In addition to providing therapeutic services to children in need, the new business also projects making its space available in the community as a place to hold special events and a play space for children and their families. The Play Hut, PLLC projects two full-time and three part-time jobs.”
Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel
Read more about The Play Hut, PLLC.
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The Nash family was looking for a way to make their dairy farm more economical when they did the research and decided to expand their farm, turning it into a Micro-Dairy Processing plant, which they named Nash Creamery.
Nash Creamery Approved for Seed Capital Grant
Garland and Sheila Nash, of Nickelsville, were looking for a way to make their dairy farm more economical when they did the research and then decided to expand their farm, turning it into a Micro-Dairy Processing plant, which they named Nash Creamery.
Nash Creamery is a recent recipient of a $9,000 Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority Seed Capital Matching Grant.
Nash Creamery began with a raw milk dairy operation and adjustments and additions necessary were made to transform it into a Grade A Virginia Department of Health-certified creamery facility where they bottle and sell milk. Plans for the future are to add ice cream, butter and yogurt production.
“Agriculture has long been identified as a target industry sector in Southwest Virginia’s e-Region and Nash Creamery’s plans to develop a Micro-Dairy processing plant in the region fits well with those objectives. The new business projects two full time and six part-time employees.”
Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel
Read more about Nash Creamery.
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Jarrod and Audrea O’Quinn opened the Haysi Caboose Inn and are in the process now of renovating a second caboose and a three-bedroom home for short-stay lodging near the Spearhead Trails.
Seed Capital Grant Approved for O’Quinn Rentals, LLC
The opportunity for a unique lodging experience is what O’Quinn Rentals, LLC provides for its customers who choose to book a renovated train caboose to stay in the Haysi area while there to enjoy the Spearhead Trails or a quiet getaway to the river. O’Quinn Rentals, LLC was a recent recipient of a $9,000 Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) Seed Capital Matching Grant.
Jarrod and Audrea O’Quinn purchased two train caboose cars and a three-bedroom, two-bath home with the intention of renovating all of them into short-term rental units. One of the cabooses is now complete and being offered for rent at the Haysi Caboose Inn — a one-bedroom, one bath location. Renovations are ongoing to ready the second caboose and the house as rentals.
“O’Quinn Rentals, LLC proposed a rather unique concept with their utilization of train cabooses for short-stay lodging. Building off of visitor traffic created by Spearhead Trails, another group VCEDA has approved funding for in the past, O’Quinn Rentals, LLC projects one full-time and two part-time employees.”
Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel
Read more about O’Quinn Rentals, LLC.
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