VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel Jonathan Belcher presents a ceremonial check to Amber Cox, of Better Living Home Care LLC, representing the seed capital matching grant recently awarded to her new business. Also on hand for the presentation were Tim Blankenbecler, second from right, of the Small Business Development Center at Mountain Empire Community College; and Lee County Economic Development Director Aaron Fee, right.
JONESVILLE, VA – MAY 31, 2019 — When Amber Cox, of Jonesville, decided she wanted to open her own business, it didn’t take long for her to determine what that new business would be. She looked around and saw a need in the senior population for home care needs to be provided and as a result, she opened the doors to Better Living Home Care LLC.
Her new business was approved for a $10,000 Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) Seed Capital Matching Grant which Cox said has helped her to get her new business off the ground.
“What we provide is an affordable solution for the elderly throughout our community who prefer to stay at home where the quality of life is enhanced without the stress and hardship of interrupted routines and changes in daily habits,” Cox said. “Part-time, full-time and around-the-clock service alternatives are designed for people who choose to live independently, but who require non-medical services.”
Among the services provided are those which range from companionship and light house cleaning, to laundry, cooking and kitchen maintenance, attendant/driver services, basic home maintenance, pet care and basic personal care.
“Assisting start-up businesses like Better Living Home Care to get off the ground is what the VCEDA Seed Capital Matching Grant fund is all about,” said VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel Jonathan Belcher. “Better Living Home Care is providing a service in the community that will not only provide new jobs, but that will also help to enhance the quality of life of those taking advantage of the services offered.”
Cox worked with Tim Blankenbecler from the Small Business Development Center at Mountain Empire Community College to develop her business plan and application to apply for the VCEDA grant.
“I hope I can provide a service that makes a difference in people’s lives,” Cox said, noting it is her hope that it makes a difference not only to the people who her business is providing services to, but also to their caregivers in the form of a little relief service.
Cox noted that the personal care services available include Alzheimer’s nurturing, foot care, medication management, basic personal care and palliative care.
Cox is member of AHI Group Inc., which provided her with training and certification as a Certified Senior Care Manager. In May, she was approved as a Medicaid Service Facilitator. She is also licensed by the Virginia Department of Health.
Currently, Better Living Home Care employs four full-time and four as needed (PRN) employees and provides services in Lee, Wise and Scott counties. Within three years, she projects that number could rise to as many as 22 full-time employees.
“I needed access to working capital and the VCEDA seed capital grant has made a tremendous difference,” Cox said. “The initial six months of any new business are hard and the grant is making it possible for us to get on our feet until such time as the funds from insurance, private pay etc. begin to come in.”
Better Living Home Care LLC is located in leased space at 179 Chappell Drive in Jonesville.
About Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority and Southwest Virginia’s e-Region: The Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority, created by the Virginia General Assembly in 1988 to enhance and diversify the region’s economy and help create jobs, markets Southwest Virginia’s e-Region and its focus on electronic information technology, energy, education, emerging technologies, and entrepreneurship. VCEDA is a unique economic development organization that manages funds for economic development projects from a percentage of the coal and natural gas severance taxes paid by coal and natural gas companies that operate in the region. Located in southwestern Virginia, the region includes Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Tazewell, and Wise counties and the City of Norton. www.vceda.us or www.e-Region.org.
About the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority Seed Capital Matching Grant Fund: VCEDA region for-profit businesses one year and under with less than 10 full-time employees are eligible to apply for dollar-for-dollar matching grants up to $10,000 from the VCEDA Seed Capital Matching Fund. Applicants work with the Small Business Development Centers at Mountain Empire and Southwest Virginia community colleges to prepare the applications to VCEDA that include detailed business and financial plans. Businesses must be located in or plan to operate in the VCEDA region in southwestern Virginia that includes Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Tazewell, and Wise counties and the City of Norton.