A new Solar Workforce Accelerator program being funded by an up to $225,000 grant approved by VCEDA through its Renewable Energy Fund was announced recently. On hand for the ceremonial check presentation were, from left, Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA executive director/general counsel; Dr. Tommy Wright, Southwest Virginia Community College president; Susan Lowe, SWCC vice president of institutional advancement and executive director of SWCC’s educational foundation; and Dr. Kris Westover, Mountain Empire Community College president.
Solar Workforce Accelerator Program Projected to Create Up to 84 New Solar Energy Jobs
Up to 84 full-time jobs in the field of solar energy are projected to be created through the new Solar Workforce Accelerator program being funded by an up to $225,000 grant recently approved by the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) through its Renewable Energy Fund. The funds will be used to establish a joint solar education program being developed by Southwest Virginia Community College and Mountain Empire Community College.
The VCEDA funds will be used for workforce development and training, course materials, tuition, books and the purchase of equipment. Through the program, students will be trained and placed in paid internships.
Together, SWCC and MECC cover all of the counties and one city served by VCEDA, with SWCC primarily serving Buchanan, Tazewell, and Russell counties and portions of Dickenson County and MECC primarily serving the City of Norton and Lee, Scott, and Wise counties and portions of Dickenson County. The two community colleges joined forces to establish the Southwest Virginia Solar Workforce Accelerator.
“VCEDA is pleased to assist in helping to fund the development of the Solar Workforce Accelerator. Energy has always been a key industry in our region and this project will position our workforce in the area to be ready as solar energy grows in the future. It marks another project the newly created VCEDA Renewable Energy Fund has helped to grow in the e-Region.”
Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel
Read more about the Solar Workforce Accelerator Project.
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A $50,000 VCEDA Tourism Capital Improvement Matching Fund grant for the Southwest Regional Recreation Authority’s new center at Coeburn was closed recently. On hand for the ceremonial check presentation were, from left, Carl Snodgrass, Wise County Industrial Development Authority; Joe Blevins, SRRA supervisor; Melissa Slemp Rose, SRRA director; Brian Falin, Wise County; Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA executive director/general counsel; and Natalie Chapman, Wise County.
$50,000 Grant to Assist with SRRA Coeburn Center Development
A $50,000 grant from the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) Tourism Capital Improvement Matching Fund to be used to finance building renovations and improvements to assist with the development of the Spearhead Trails Adventure Recreation Center at Coeburn was closed recently.
The funds, awarded to the Southwest Regional Recreation Authority (SRRA) which oversees the Spearhead Trails system, will be used to develop the Coeburn center which will house not only its main offices, but also, its shop, an activity center and supply storage.
The activity center is part of a larger plan by SRRA to develop recreation and activity centers throughout the region. The centers will each feature unique activities to add to the tourism and amenities of the area. Activities planned for the Coeburn center include indoor climbing, indoor batting cages, indoor ax throwing, sling shot/knife throwing, an indoor skate park, picnic pavilion, board room/party room, games, events/programs, shopping and concessions.
“VCEDA’s support of the Spearhead Trails through the years is well-documented and the $50,000 grant closed recently will continue support of SRRA’s attempts to further develop tourism potential throughout the region we all serve. The application projects a net gain of one full-time job and one part-time job at the center.”
Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel
Read more about the SRRA Coeburn Center.
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A ceremonial check representing the up to $244,126 grant from the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) for Southwest Virginia Community College (SWCC) to be used for workforce development and training in support of renewable and alternative energy, as well as the installation of a solar panel project on campus, was recently presented to the SWCC Educational Foundation. From left are Dr. Tommy Wright, SWCC president; Susan Lowe, SWCC vice president of institutional advancement and executive director of SWCC’s educational foundation; and Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA executive director/general counsel.
VCEDA Awards Grant from New Renewable Energy Fund to SWCC
A ceremonial check representing the up to $244,126 grant from the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) for Southwest Virginia Community College (SWCC) to be used for workforce development and training in support of renewable and alternative energy, as well as the installation of a solar panel project on campus, was recently presented to the SWCC Educational Foundation. The funding marks one of the first awards from VCEDA’s newly created Renewable Energy Fund.
Included in the project is the installation of 10KW of solar panels in connection with a pending new student housing project on the SWCC campus. The solar panels will be installed on the housing units.
“VCEDA is pleased to announce this funding for the SWCC renewable energy project. VCEDA created its renewable energy fund, utilizing funding from the Coalfield Employment Enhancement Tax Credit. The SWCC project proposes a mix of curriculum and hands-on experience, as well as a working solar panel installation on campus. We look forward to following the project as it develops.”
Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel
Read more about the SWCC Renewable Energy Project.
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Sharon Thomas, one of the owners of Southwest Virginia Energy Consultants, Inc., stands in front of the new business location on Squire Lane in North Tazewell. Above her on the building is a solar-powered parking lot light. Southwest Virginia Energy Consultants, Inc. is a recent recipient of a VCEDA Seed Capital Matching Grant.
Seed Capital Grant Approved for Southwest Virginia Energy Consultants, Inc.
Assisting commercial businesses, homeowners and agricultural businesses in growing their use of solar energy in the region is one of the primary goals of Southwest Virginia Energy Consultants, Inc., a new business located in Tazewell County.
North Tazewell residents Sharon Thomas, John Thomas, Jack Thompson and Doug Hutchinson formed the new business in 2021 and were approved for a $6,500 Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) seed capital grant.
“As renewable energy projects gain additional traction in Southwest Virginia’s e-Region, the timing is right for businesses eyeing ways to enhance that energy usage. Southwest Virginia Energy Consultants, Inc., is seeking to do just that and projects to provide three full-time jobs within five years.”
Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel
Read more about Southwest Virginia Energy Consultants Inc.
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A $150,000 VCEDA grant closed recently to the Southwest Regional Recreation Authority (SRRA) will assist with the continued development of the Dickenson County Sportsman’s Complex. On hand for the ceremonial check presentation were, from left, Joe Blevins, SRRA supervisor; Melissa Slemp, SRRA director; Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA executive director/general counsel; and Mitzi Sykes, Dickenson County Industrial Development Authority.
$150,000 Grant Closed for Dickenson County Sportsman’s Complex
An up to $150,000 grant from the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) to assist with the continued development of the Southwest Regional Recreation Authority’s (SRRA) Sportsman’s Complex in Dickenson County was closed recently.
The funds will be used to finance site development, building(s) construction and building(s) improvements, road, trail, picnic area and parking area improvements, along with the design and engineering to assist with the continued development of the SRRA Sportsman’s Complex in Dickenson County.
In August 2019, SRRA was approved by VCEDA for a $149,945 grant from the VCEDA Tourism Capital Improvement Matching Fund to assist with the development of an archery complex in Dickenson County, which is part of what SRRA now refers to as its “Sportsman’s Complex.” The additional $150,000 recently approved, which will come from the VCEDA Dickenson County Account, builds upon the original grant, bringing VCEDA’s total commitment to the project to up to $299,945 total. The Dickenson County Industrial Development Authority provided a letter of support for the project.
“VCEDA is pleased to continue to assist in the development of the Sportsman’s Complex in Dickenson County as efforts to grow the tourism industry in that county continue. Two additional full-time jobs and one additional part-time job are anticipated to be created through this project within four years.”
Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel
Read more about Dickenson County Sportsman’s Complex.
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Rey Perez stands in front of the Fitness Authority sign in Honaker. With assistance from a VCEDA seed capital matching grant, Perez opened the new gym in 2021.
Seed Capital Grant Approved for Fitness Authority LLC
With the new year now here and new year’s resolutions with it, it’s the perfect time to start thinking about a gym membership, according to Rey Perez, owner of Fitness Authority LLC, a new gym which opened in 2021 in Honaker.
Fitness Authority LLC is a recent recipient of a $6,500 Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) seed capital matching grant.
“VCEDA was pleased to assist Fitness Authority LLC through the seed capital matching grant program as the new business began its endeavors to establish a gym facility in Honaker. Fitness Authority projects four full-time jobs and three part-time jobs within five years.”
Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel
Read more about Fitness Authority LLC.
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Seed Capital Grant Approved for Wise Guys Pools
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.
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.
“VCEDA was pleased to assist Wise Guys Pools through the seed capital matching grant fund program. Wise Guys Pools projects three full-time jobs and four part-time jobs within five years.”
Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel
Read more about Wise Guys Pools.
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Tessa Deel, of Bass and Brass LLC, opened her new business earlier this year in Haysi with assistance in part from a VCEDA seed capital grant.
Bass and Brass LLC Approved for Seed Capital Grant
When Bass and Brass LLC opened in 2021, owner Tessa Deel’s goal was to create a one-stop shop for hunting and fishing supplies and a place where sportsmen could buy, sell and trade their gear and equipment.
Bass and Brass LLC is a recent recipient of a $6,500 Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) seed capital matching grant.
Deel noted the seed capital grant had helped the business to expand its inventory to meet growing demand for its products.
“With the ever-growing interest in the outdoors in our region, Bass and Brass LLC created a new business to meet some of the needs of sportsmen in our area, as well as the growing number of tourists we are seeing in the e-Region.”
Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel
Read more about Bass and Brass LLC.
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Seed Capital Grant Approved for Competitive Performance
From mobile welding to handyman and carpentry-related services, Competitive Performance owner Scott Davis said his new business caters to both commercial and residential clients.
Competitive Performance, a sole proprietorship, is a recent recipient of a $6,500 Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) seed capital grant.
“Both commercial and residential clients can benefit from the services offered by Competitive Performance which projects one full-time job and up to five contract labor employees at various times, dependent on need.”
Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel
Read more about Competitive Performance.
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