Lebanon, VA (June 19, 2017) – A new zip line attraction at the Breaks Interstate Park received a boost last week when the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) Board of Directors approved an increase of $28,000 for the grant project, bringing the total amount approved by VCEDA to up to $188,000.
VCEDA Executive Director Jonathan Belcher, who also serves at the authority’s general counsel, presented the ceremonial check to Breaks Park Superintendent Austin Bradley at a grant closing held last week.
“Our coalfield counties identified tourism as an economic development opportunity they wanted to pursue years ago,” Belcher said. “The Breaks Interstate Park has been one of the primary tourism venues we have supported through the years and we continue that support now with this grant for their zip line project.”
Funds for the grant came from the VCEDA Civil Penalties Fund and will be used toward financing the construction and installation of a multiple line zip line attraction and costs associated therewith including equipment, delivery, installation, and assembly expenses, at the Breaks Interstate Park.
By Virginia statute, 50 percent of the civil penalties collected by the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy are transferred quarterly to VCEDA “…for the purposes of developing infrastructure and improvements at Breaks Interstate Park….”
The Breaks Interstate Park Commission previously submitted a request to VCEDA for up to $160,000 in Civil Penalties Funds to assist with the construction and development of a mega zip line attraction at the Breaks Interstate Park. The additional $28,000 approved last week was also requested by the park to be used toward the project.
The park estimates the project will result in the creation of approximately 10 part-time, seasonal positions, within one year.
In photo: Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA executive director, right, presents ceremonial check to Austin Bradley, Breaks Interstate Park superintendent.