Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA executive director/general counsel, right, presents a ceremonial check representing the grant funding approved recently for the Breaks Interstate Park to Austin Bradley, Breaks Interstate Park superintendent.
VCEDA Approves Grant for Breaks Interstate Park
An up to $15,137.60 grant from the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) to the Breaks Interstate Park was approved at a recent meeting of the VCEDA board of directors. The funds will be used to finance the purchase and installation of radio equipment, window tint in the park’s Rhododendron Restaurant and to conduct a geotechnical survey to determine the suitability of a site within the park for a new swimming pool or water feature.
“We are pleased to assist the park in continuing to grow and improve,” said VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel Jonathan Belcher. “The Breaks Interstate Park is one of the premier tourism destinations in our region.”
Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel
Read more about the Breaks Park Grant.
Seed Capital Grant Approved for
Preston Ball Photography
A ceremonial check representing the seed capital matching grant funding approved for Preston Ball Photography, LLC, was presented recently to Preston Ball, center, owner of the photography business. On hand for the presentation were Jonathan Belcher, left, VCEDA executive director/general counsel; and Margie Douglass, right, director of the Small Business Development Center at Southwest Virginia Community College.
For Preston Ball, photography started out as more of a hobby, but he soon found out that his services as a photographer had value and as a result, he decided to pursue starting a photography business of his own. Since December, Preston Ball Photography LLC has offered sports photography services as well as drone, portrait, wedding and commercial photography services. The new business was recently approved for a $10,000 seed capital matching grant from the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA).
“VCEDA was pleased to assist Preston in the start-up of his new photography business,” said VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel Jonathan Belcher. “The seed capital matching grant program was designed to assist local entrepreneurs in pursuing their ideas for new business while at the same time creating employment.”
Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel
Read more about Preston Ball Photography.
Lincoln Road Virginia LLC Approved for Seed Capital Grant
VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel Jonathan Belcher, second from right, presents a ceremonial check to Ryan Jones, center, a co-owner of Lincoln Road Virginia LLC, a recent VCEDA Seed Capital Matching Grant recipient. Also on hand for the presentation were, from left, Fred Ramey, Norton City Manager; Joe Fawbush, Norton City Mayor; Jones; Belcher; and Small Business Development Center Director Tim Blankenbecler.
Specialty coffee drinks, food, craft beer and wine will all be coming to Norton, Va., later this summer, or early fall under one roof as Lincoln Road Virginia LLC opens the doors to its new business. Lincoln Road Virginia LLC was recently approved for a $10,000 seed capital matching grant from the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA). The business is co-owned by Ryan Jones, Payton May and Jarred McGuire. Jones, originally hails from Haysi. His sister, Sabrina, will serve as general manager.
“The seed capital matching grant program funded by VCEDA is all about helping small businesses get a solid start in the development of their new businesses,” said VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel Jonathan Belcher. “Lincoln Road Virginia LLC put together a good business plan which in the first year they projected will create three full-time and four part-time jobs.”
Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel
Read more about Lincoln Road Virginia LLC.
VCEDA Attends Woodworking Conference in Nevada
VCEDA Marketing Coordinator Susan Copeland joined Michaela Martin of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership at the Association of Woodworking & Furnishings Suppliers (AWFS) biennial AWFS Fair 2019, July 17-20 in Las Vegas, NV. The pair met with a number of companies that had expressed an interest in learning about Virginia’s and Southwest Virginia’s opportunities for the wood industry, including incentives, reserves and wood products companies operating successfully in the state and region. The AWFS is the largest trade association serving the home commercial furnishings industry, with more than 400 members, including manufacturers and distributors of machinery, hardware, software, tooling, lumber components, wood products and supplies for the woodworking industry including cabinet, furniture, millwork and custom woodworking products. The AWFS Fair brings the entire global industry together for an in-depth review of the new developments and advances that are driving the market.
Greg Dutton, second from left, accepts a ceremonial check representing the seed capital matching grant funding approved for Misty Mountain Bit, LLC, from Jonathan Belcher, second from right, VCEDA executive director/general counsel. Also on hand for the presentation were Mitzi Sykes, left, Dickenson County Economic Development Director; left; and Tim Blankenbecler, right, of the Small Business Development Center at Mountain Empire Community College.
Misty Mountain Bit LLC Selected for Seed Capital Grant
When it comes to horses, Greg Dutton, of McClure, Va., knows a lot about them and what it takes to get them moving. The right bit can make the difference and the bits he manufactures and sells through Misty Mountain Bit LLC are already sold globally. Dutton manufactures several varieties of bits from his McClure location which he then sells online using his website, social media and from a mobile trailer he takes to various horse show events. His new business was recently approved for a $10,000 seed capital matching grant from the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA).
“VCEDA was pleased to help Greg with a seed capital matching grant allowing him to continue to grow his new business,” said VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel Jonathan Belcher. “He is using the funds to complete construction of a shop near his home which he has indicated will allow him to produce larger amounts of product to meet demand and in the process to potentially hire additional employees.”
Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel
Read more about Misty Mountain Bit LLC.
VCEDA Recognized for Economic Development Work
The Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority was recognized earlier this month at a business appreciation luncheon for its “outstanding contributions to the economic development of Wise County and the City of Norton through investment and job creation efforts.” The award of appreciation was presented by the City of Norton Industrial Development Authority, the Wise County Industrial Development Authority and the Wise County Virginia Chamber of Commerce. It was accepted on behalf of VCEDA by Marketta Horton, VCEDA economic development specialist, from Rick Colley, executive vice president of the Wise County/City of Norton Chamber of Commerce.