VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel Jonathan Belcher, left, presents a ceremonial check representing a grant of up to $106,762 for improvements at the Breaks Interstate Park to Breaks Interstate Park Superintendent Austin Bradley.
VCEDA Awards Grant to Breaks Interstate Park
An up to a $106,762 grant from the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) to the Breaks Interstate Park in Buchanan and Dickenson counties was closed in May.
The grant funds will be used to develop infrastructure and improvements at the Breaks Interstate Park, including the replacement of flooring in the Rhododendron Restaurant and two cottages; the purchase of a new combination convection/steamer oven for the Rhododendron Restaurant; and the acquisition or construction of a new barn for the equestrian stable area.
Drainage improvements and the improvement/construction of a connector trail for the equestrian stable operations and the clearing of right of way for electrical infrastructure to serve the park are other planned uses of the funds.
“VCEDA is pleased to assist the Breaks Park in these infrastructure improvements. The park is one of the premiere tourism assets in Southwest Virginia’s e-Region and adds much to the quality of life offerings found in the region.”
Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel
Read more about the Breaks Interstate Park Grant Award.
An up to $486,994 grant was closed recently by the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) for the University of Virginia’s College at Wise Foundation. The grant will be used to develop the Clinch River Ecological Education Center at the Oxbow Center in St. Paul, Virginia. Pictured are UVA-Wise Chancellor Donna Henry; UVA-Wise Foundation President Don Green; and VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel Jonathan Belcher.
Clinch River Ecological Education Center Grant Awarded
Development of a workforce development and training space for the new Clinch River Ecological Education Center (CREEC) will be made possible in part by an up to $486,994 grant closed recently by the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) for the University of Virginia’s College at Wise Foundation.The funds will be used by the college foundation to develop the Clinch River Ecological Education Center at the Oxbow Center in St. Paul, Virginia. Previously, the 19,228-square-foot Oxbow Center building was donated by another entity to the college foundation as a gift.
According to UVa-Wise Foundation’s application, the Clinch River Ecological Education Center will serve as a field station for workforce development and environmental education.
“Assisting our education partners in Southwest Virginia’s e-Region to grow and develop today’s programs to meet the needs of a changing workforce are critically important to our success in attracting economic development projects to the region. We are pleased to assist The University of Virginia’s College at Wise Foundation with this grant.”
Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel
Read more about the Clinch River Ecological Education Center Grant.
VCEDA and VEDP hosted a group of site consultants on a tour of Southwest Virginia’s e-Region.
VCEDA Co-Hosts Site Consultants Tour of e-Region
VCEDA, along with the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, was pleased to host a group of site consultants May 22 on a tour of the region. Topics of discussion included what the region has to offer to new businesses choosing to locate in Southwest Virginia’s e-Region. Consultants toured the UVa-Wise campus, Sykes Intuit and the Graphene Research Center and met with area employers and economic developers.
Harry Childress, left and J.P. Richardson, right at the Virginia Coal Energy Alliance Conference.
VCEDA Exhibits at 40th VCEA Conference
VCEDA exhibited at and attended the 40th Virginia Coal and Energy Alliance Conference and Expo May 20 and 21 at the Meadowview Conference Center in Kingsport, Tenn. The two-day conference featured a variety of speakers, who spoke on the continuing importance of coal as a part of the “all of the above” approach to energy. Three of VCEDA’s board members were in attendance at the meeting, including Harry Childress, who is also president of the VCEA; J.P. Richardson, who is also the current VCEA chairman; and Rick Axthelm. Also attending was VCEDA Marketing Ambassador Cathy St. Clair.
VCEDA’s Jean Jordan, Marketta Horton and Susan Copeland at the SWVA Economic Forum.
VCEDA Co-Sponsors SWVA Economic Forum
VCEDA was a co-sponsor of the May 15 SWVA Economic Forum in Wise and also manned an exhibit booth at the forum. The forum focused on leveraging opportunity zones and HB222; challenges of attracting tech companies; technology in Appalachia; and community wellness.