VCEDA Annual Report Highlights 60 Projects in e-Region
Highest Quantity of Loans, Grants Approved in VCEDA History During 2021
Sixty new projects and expansions/ retentions in all eight Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) localities resulting in more than $211 million in planned private investment in the region were announced in the region during 2021. The announcements included the highest quantity of loans and grants approved in VCEDA history and project 1,015 full-time and 171 part-time new and retained jobs.
That information and more is highlighted in the VCEDA 2021 Annual Report filed earlier this month.
“Despite the continued impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, 2021 was a very active year for VCEDA. More than $6.1 million in new VCEDA funding was approved by the VCEDA board in 2021 and that funding continues to play a crucial role in the improvement and diversification of the region’s economy.”
Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel
Read more about the VCEDA Annual Report.
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Signco Coming to Tazewell County
VCEDA extended its congratulations to Signco on the company’s decision to expand to Tazewell County in March, bringing with it 19 new jobs. In choosing Tazewell County, the company cited the workforce and its strong core values of family and innovation as being keys to its decision, as well as incentive programs offered through the state. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s office issued a news release announcing the company’s decision.
Read more about Signco.
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VCEDA Attends Site Selectors Guild Conference
VCEDA attended the Site Selectors Guild Annual Conference in San Diego, Calif., March 2-4 and helped to sponsor a dinner with the site selectors hosted by the Virginia Economic Development Partnership. The Site Selectors Guild is the only association of the world’s foremost professional site selection consultants. VCEDA Marketing Coordinator Susan Copeland represented VCEDA at the event.
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Appalachian Adventures & Outfitters, Inc. was a recent recipient of a VCEDA Seed Capital Grant. Owners, from left, Brian Ratliff, Brianna Ratliff and Brad Ratliff opened the business to provide UTV rental services in the area to outdoor enthusiasts looking to ride Spearhead Trails’ Jawbone Trail.
Seed Capital Grant Approved for Appalachian Adventures & Outfitters, Inc.
Seeking to capitalize on the growing tourism industry in Southwest Virginia’s e-Region, Appalachian Adventures & Outfitters, Inc., opened its UTV rental business in Richlands, Va., not far from the entrance to Spearhead Trails’ Jawbone Trail.
Appalachian Adventures & Outfitters, Inc., is a recent recipient of a $10,000 Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) seed capital matching grant.
The business, co-owned by brothers, Brad Ratliff and Brian Ratliff and Brian’s daughter, Brianna Ratliff, offers rentals in four and eight-hour segments and is also developing plans to offer guided tours of the trails. Kayak rentals are planned for later this spring. Southwest Virginia regional memorabilia, Spearhead Trails permits and memorabilia and custom-made knives are available in the business shop, as are Tazewell County-made Blue Wolf cleaning products and outdoor gear and snacks.
“As the tourism economy in Southwest Virginia’s e-Region continues to grow, VCEDA is pleased to see business ventures like Appalachian Adventures & Outfitters step up to add services to the economy and create additional jobs. Appalachian Adventures & Outfitters projects two full-time jobs and three part-time jobs within the first year.”
Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel
Read more about Appalachian Adventures & Outfitters, Inc.
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The grand opening of SoVa Gardens was celebrated earlier this year. On hand for the ribbon cutting were, from left, Brian Skidmore, Pennington Gap assistant town manager; Greg Edwards, Lee County Economic Development Authority; Orville Overton, SoVa Gardens co-owner; Richard Johnson, Lee County EDA director. Not pictured is SoVa Gardens co-owner Brandon Moore. The business was a recent recipient of a VCEDA seed capital grant.
Organic Farming Supply Business Approved for Seed Capital Grant
Smart solutions to agricultural issues are what SoVa Gardens in Pennington Gap, Va., strives to provide for its customers. Organic farming is a primary focus of the business co-owned by Orville Overton and Brandon Moore.
Appa Valley LLC, doing business as SoVa Gardens, is a recent recipient of a $10,000 Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) seed capital matching grant.
SoVa Gardens offers industry leading products, services and support to all types of gardeners – from farmers to hobbyists — whether they are growing vegetables, herbs, flowers, or delving into new markets created by changes in Virginia law. Products proven to provide savings in money, time and effort, while also generating greater crop yields and sustainable solutions are stocked in store to meet the demands of its customer base.
“Agriculture was identified as a target industry by VCEDA several years ago and SoVa Gardens fit the bill with its business plan to support that industry through its offering of products to serve area farmers and hobby gardeners. The business projects three full-time jobs and one part-time job within three years.”
Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel
Read more about SoVa Gardens.
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Elise and Robert Bloomer opened 404 Café and Creamery, LLC earlier this year in Big Stone Gap. Their new business is a recent recipient of a VCEDA seed capital matching grant.
Seed Capital Grant Approved For 404 Café and Creamery, LLC
As Elise and Robert Bloomer have worked to develop the 404 Café and Creamery, LLC in Big Stone Gap, Va., purchasing made in Virginia ingredients has been a top priority – from coffee and chips, to ice cream. Soups, sandwiches and baked goods are also on the menu for the Big Stone Gap, Va., restaurant.
404 Café and Creamery, LLC is a recent recipient of a $10,000 Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) seed capital matching grant.
The new restaurant, located within a block of the Big Stone Gap Visitor Center and the green belt area features both indoor dining and an outside patio option as well. An ice cream cart has been purchased to allow the café to travel to provide ice cream for various day events in the area.
“The 404 Café and Creamery, LLC is not only creating jobs at its Big Stone Gap location, but because of its ‘buy local’ focus, it is also serving to help other businesses locally and in other locations in Virginia to grow. The 404 Café and Creamery originally projected two full-time jobs and eight part-time jobs within five years and they have already exceeded part of that goal and now employ one full-time and 10 part-time employees. They have further indicated to us they will likely add the additional full-time job projected within a year, as well as another three to five part-time employees in the future.”
Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel
Read more about 404 Cafe’ and Creamery, LLC.
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VCEDA Attends VEDA Conference
VCEDA Marketing Ambassador Charlotte Mullins represented VCEDA at the Virginia Economic Developers Association spring conference last week in Richmond, VA. The conference focused on ongoing work at the state level in the economic development realm and ways to ready all areas of the state for future development.
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Andrew Mays and his wife, Ashley, opened Southern Charm Décor LLC to offer affordable custom-made furniture and antique restoration as well as home décor items in their shop on Church Avenue in Lebanon. The business is a recent recipient of a VCEDA Seed Capital Matching Grant.
Southern Charm Décor LLC Approved for Seed Capital Grant
A desire to help make every house a home with personalized décor and furniture pieces is the reason Andrew Mays and his wife, Ashley, said they opened Southern Charm Décor LLC in Russell County.
Affordable custom-made furniture and antique restoration are what Andrew Mays said are staples of the business. Home décor items are also available at the shop, which is a recent recipient of a $10,000 Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) seed capital matching grant.
“Assisting new business owners in growing their entrepreneurship ideas is a primary benefit of the VCEDA Seed Capital Matching Grant program. At the same time, these new businesses are creating jobs in our Southwest Virginia e-Region communities. Southern Charm Décor LLC projects one full-time and one part-time job within three years, but also indicated in its business plan and application that it has future plans to open additional locations in the region.”
Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel
Read more about Southern Charm Décor LLC.