VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel Jonathan Belcher, center, presents a ceremonial check to Dr. Tommy Wright, SWCC president, representing grant funding of up to $265,565 approved for the SWCC Center for Education and Training in Lebanon. Also pictured are, from left, Russell County Industrial Development Authority Chairman Ernie McFaddin; Belcher; Wright; SWCC Vice President of Institutional Advancement Susan Lowe; and Jereial Fletcher, SWCC dean of mathematics, science and health technologies.
VCEDA Approves Grant for SWCC Center for Education and Training
An up to $265,565.43 grant from the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) to be used for workforce development and training for the Southwest Virginia Community College Center for Education and Training in Lebanon was closed recently. The grant funds, which come from the VCEDA Coalfield Workforce Development and Training Fund, will be used for costs and expenses associated with training equipment, including laboratory equipment, microscopes and casework, as well as costs associated with delivery and installation.
“VCEDA was pleased to approve the funding for equipment for the workforce development and training center operated by Southwest Virginia Community College,” said VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel Jonathan Belcher. “The college’s workforce development and training endeavors help to ready the region’s residents to meet the needs of employers located in or expanding to our area.”
Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel
Read more about the SWCC Center for Education and Training.
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Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA executive director/general counsel presents a ceremonial check representing the seed capital matching grant funding approved for Appalachian Turf in Lebanon, Va., to Appalachian Turf owner Cowan Gilmer. Also on hand for the presentation was Russell County Industrial Development Authority Chairman Ernie McFaddin, right.
Appalachian Turf Approved for Seed Capital Grant
The science of lawn care — the right mix of seeds and fertilizers and the correct use of selective herbicides – is what Appalachian Turf applies every day in helping home and business owners achieve their landscaping goals. Appalachian Turf was recently approved for a $10,000 seed capital matching grant from the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) which owner Cowan Gilmer said recently will help his business to grow.
“VCEDA is pleased to assist Appalachian Turf in growing its lawn care service business in Southwest Virginia,” said VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel Jonathan Belcher. “Helping local businesses to start, expand and grow is the primary goal of our seed capital matching grant program.”
Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel
Read more about Appalachian Turf.
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VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel Jonathan Belcher, center, presents a ceremonial check to Greg Estep, owner of Thomas’ Blackbird Farm LLC, representing the seed capital matching grant funding recently approved for the company. From left are Wise County Economic Development Director Carl Snodgrass; Small Business Development Center Director Tim Blankenbecler; Belcher; Estep and his wife, Elizabeth Estep; and Robert Kilgore and Tom Gilliam, lifelong friends, who now work the farm with Estep. Also pictured is Estep’s dog, Buddy.
Thomas’ Blackbird Farm LLC Selected for Seed Capital Grant
Whether it’s tomatoes, peppers or pumpkins, when it comes to fresh produce, Greg Estep, of Thomas’ Blackbird Farm LLC, in the Esserville area of Wise County, Va., is gearing up for the harvest, noting he currently has one of the largest, if not the largest tomato-pepper-pumpkin crops in Wise County. Also key to the new business is the development of a corn maze which will serve as a tourist attraction in the fall. Estep’s business was recently approved for a $10,000 seed capital matching grant from the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA).
“Agriculture is one of the VCEDA target areas and assisting Estep in developing the farm and supplemental tourist attraction he has planned are a natural fit,” said VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel Jonathan Belcher. “The business application projected one full-time and two part-time jobs within one year – which have already occurred — adding further to the regional economy and the success of the VCEDA Seed Capital Matching Grant program.”
Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel
Read more about Thomas’ Blackbird Farm LLC.
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VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel Jonathan Belcher, second from right, presents a ceremonial check to Andrea Hicks, second from left, owner of The Scripted Gate Sign Co., LLC, representing the seed capital matching grant funding recently approved for the company. From left are Small Business Development Center Director Tim Blankenbecler; Hicks; Belcher; and Wise County Economic Development Director Carl Snodgrass.
The Scripted Gate Sign Co., LLC Approved for Seed Capital Grant
Andrea Hicks, of Coeburn, is a firm believer that being creative is good for the mind and the body. Hicks recently opened The Scripted Gate Sign Co., LLC, a full-service do-it-yourself design workshop and retreat mobile business that assists consumers in turning a pile of wood into something beautiful for the home or office. The Scripted Gate Sign Co. LLC was recently approved for a $10,000 seed capital matching grant from the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA).
“VCEDA was pleased to assist The Scripted Gate Sign Co. with its plan to grow its business,” said VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel Jonathan Belcher. “Helping entrepreneurs to grow their new businesses is a primary goal of the Seed Capital Matching Grant Fund.”
Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel
Read more about The Scripted Gate Sign Co., LLC.
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VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel Jonathan Belcher, center, presents a ceremonial check to Brian and Penny Jeffrey, representing the seed capital matching grant funding recently approved for The Big Stone Gap General Store & Café. From left are Brian Jeffrey; Olive Jeffrey, the Jeffreys’ daughter; Penny Jeffrey; Belcher; Wise County Economic Development Director Carl Snodgrass; and Small Business Development Center Director Tim Blankenbecler.
Seed Capital Grant Awarded to Big Stone Gap General Store & Cafe’
Brian and Penny Jeffrey have spent their careers serving North Carolina colleges and after a family visit to Big Stone Gap, decided it was time to explore the idea of starting a business in the town where Brian grew up. The Jeffreys envisioned turning the historic Big Stone Gap Post building – home of the community’s first newspaper – into a general store and café. Fast forward three years and the Jeffreys are renovating the building now with plans to open The Big Stone Gap General Store & Café by the end of the year or early spring. The Big Stone Gap General Store & Café, LLC was recently approved for a $10,000 seed capital matching grant from the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA), which Penny Jeffrey said has made it possible to optimize planning and move forward with development.
“VCEDA created the seed capital matching grant program to assist small business owners in realizing their dreams while at the same time creating jobs and growing our Southwest Virginia communities,” said VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel Jonathan Belcher. “The Big Stone Gap General Store & Café projects adding one full time and four part-time jobs to the Wise County community within a year of its opening.”
Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel
Read more about Big Stone Gap General Store & Cafe’.