Jim Baldwin, center, (top photo) was presented with a framed resolution recognizing his long-time service to the VCEDA board and the region during the February meeting of the board. Baldwin recently announced his retirement as the Cumberland Plateau Planning District Commission executive director. At left is VCEDA Chairman Larry Mosley and at right is VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel Jonathan Belcher. In the bottom photo, Wise County Industrial Development Authority Interim Executive Director Brian Falin accepts a framed resolution on behalf of the Wise County IDA from VCEDA honoring the life and work of the late Carl Snodgrass, who served for many years as the executive director of the Wise County IDA. On hand for the presentation were VCEDA Chairman Larry Mosley, left and VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel Jonathan Belcher, right.
VCEDA Board Approves Projects Anticipated to Create More Than 100 Jobs
Several projects anticipated to create more than 100 new full-time and part-time jobs in Southwest Virginia’s e-Region were approved in February during a meeting of the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) Board of Directors.
The board also welcomed two new members – Scotty Wampler, the new executive director of the Cumberland Plateau Planning District Commission (CPPDC); and Andy Hrovatic, representing the Tazewell County Board of Supervisors.
Read more about the VCEDA February meeting.
. . .
Technology consulting services, including data analytics and software development, are now available through a new Richlands, Va., business. Arsenal Development LLC, owned by Jordan Bales, is a recent recipient of a VCEDA Seed Capital Matching Grant.
New Data Analytics, Software Development Business Approved for Seed Capital Grant
Helping clients to solve their technology needs while providing them with the data they need to grow is the primary focus of Arsenal Development LLC, a new technology consulting service specializing in data analytics and software development in Richlands, according to owner, Jordan Bales.
Arsenal Development LLC is a recent recipient of a $10,000 Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) seed capital matching grant.
Bales noted Arsenal Development’s goal is to help clients solve their technology needs while also growing their businesses through advanced analytics. Additionally, he said attracting talent back to the region through his company’s planned internship program remains as another focus.
“It is exciting to see this new technology start-up in our region which seeks to meet the data analytics and software development needs of small to mid-size businesses in our region and beyond. The new business, which fits in well with our Southwest Virginia’s e-Region strategy to develop entrepreneurship and technology jobs, projects creating four full-time jobs and six part-time jobs within five years.”
Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel
Read more about Arsenal Development.
. . .
VCEDA Highlights e-Region Business Impact
VCEDA recently completed a project to highlight how VCEDA has assisted local companies in the e-Region to grow. To draw attention to the videos, posted on the VCEDA website, an interactive ad was published in the February issue of Virginia Business magazine featuring a QR Code. By scanning the code, visitors are able to hear firsthand some Southwest Virginia’s e-Region businesses describing how VCEDA has helped their companies and the region to grow. Check out what they have to say at www.vceda.us/impact.
. . .
Annette Tomlinson, Connie Daugherty and Deborah McCoy opened Lee Driving School in Pennington Gap. The new business was a recent recipient of a $10,000 VCEDA Seed Capital Matching Grant.
Seed Capital Grant Approved for Lee Driving School
Driver education — both classroom and behind the wheel instruction — as well as driver improvement and tutoring for license and learner’s permits are among the multiple services offered by Lee Driving School in Pennington Gap.
Lee Driving School is a recent recipient of a $10,000 Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) seed capital matching grant.
The new business is owned by Connie Daugherty, Deborah McCoy and Annette Tomlinson. Daugherty, Tomlinson and McCoy are lifelong educators, having served in multiple capacities. Additionally, each of them are active participants in the community where they grew up and currently reside.
“Lee Driving School is a one-stop business for multiple facets of driving. While providing a needed service, the new business projects creating six full-time jobs within five years.”
Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel
Read more about Lee Driving School.
. . .
The red barn project at the Historic Crab Orchard Museum was recently approved for an up to a $50,000 grant from the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority. The funds, which will be used to renovate and enlarge the space, were approved from the VCEDA Tourism Capital Improvement Matching Fund.
$50,000 Tourism Matching Grant Approved for Crab Orchard Museum ‘Red Barn’ Project
An up to a $50,000 grant from the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) Tourism Capital Improvement Matching Fund to be used to renovate and expand the Farm and Transportation Exhibit Building at the Historic Crab Orchard Museum and Pioneer Park in Tazewell County was approved recently.
The building, most often referred to at the museum as “the red barn,” houses museum exhibits, but is also used for musical events, educational and cultural meetings and has been used as a wedding venue. Matching funding for the project has been pledged by Lynda Stuart.
“VCEDA is pleased to assist the Historic Crab Orchard Museum in its efforts to grow its tourism assets in Tazewell County. The funds will be used for construction and expansion of the red barn space with the intention of attracting larger weddings, musical events and other educational and cultural meetings to the space, according to the museum application which projects within three years to add three additional full-time jobs and three additional part-time jobs over current staffing levels.”
Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel
Read more about the ‘Red Barn’ project.
. . .
$50,000 Grant Closed for Heart of Appalachia’s Three Rivers Destination-Discovery Center
An up to $50,000 grant from the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) Tourism Capital Improvement Matching Fund to be used toward financing the development and construction of the new Three Rivers Destination – Discovery Center in St. Paul was recently closed with the Heart of Appalachia Tourism Authority.
The Heart of Appalachia Tourism Authority (HOA) was created by the Virginia General Assembly in 1993 to “promote, expand and develop the tourism industries of this coal-producing region as a whole.” HOA covers the same eight localities as VCEDA does.
The location of the new center is on land adjacent to the Clinch River, just north of US 58A at St. Paul. It is planned to be used as a “gateway” center accessing the Clinch, the Guest and the Powell Rivers, then spoking out to other communities in the area.
“The construction of the Three Rivers Destination Center will result in the location of a regional tourism visitor center in VCEDA’s e-Region. Having a one-stop location to provide information about the many tourism opportunities in our region will be beneficial not only to travelers, but to the various businesses and tourism assets in the region which will be marketed through the Three Rivers center. One new full-time job is projected to be added within two years, adding to the Heart of Appalachia’s existing employment of five full-time and two part-time employees.”
Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel
Read more about the Three Rivers Destination Center.
. . .
Laura Hrovatic is pursuing her dream of opening a bakery, Snuckle Butter, LLC in downtown Bluefield, Va. With assistance from a VCEDA seed capital matching grant, Hrovatic plans to open the new bakery later this year.
Seed Capital Grant Approved for Snuckle Butter, LLC
Developing a place for residents and visitors alike to enjoy sweet treats and to have a place to gather, socialize and eat are the primary goals Laura Hrovatic had in mind when she decided to pursue her dream of opening a bakery, Snuckle Butter, LLC, in downtown Bluefield, Va.
Snuckle Butter, LLC is a recent recipient of a $10,000 Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) seed capital matching grant.
“Helping to revitalize downtown areas in VCEDA’s e-Region has been one of the added benefits to our seed capital matching grant program as a number of the businesses awarded grants have chosen to locate in downtown areas. Snuckle Butter, LLC is locating in an historic section of Bluefield, Va., and projects three full-time jobs and six part-time jobs within five years.”
Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel
Read more about Snuckle Butter, LLC.
. . .