The VCEDA board met in mid-June in Lebanon, Va. Among the items approved by the board included a new foreign direct marketing initiative, funding for the seed capital program and a business development plan to guide the authority’s marketing activities.
VCEDA Approves FDI Initiative, Business Development Plan, Seed Capital Funding
A new foreign direct marketing initiative, funding for the seed capital program and a business development plan to guide the marketing activities of the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) in the coming fiscal year were approved during the June meeting of the VCEDA board in Lebanon, Va.
VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel Jonathan Belcher gave a report to the board on activity since the last board meeting, noting it has focused on attendance at marketing outreach events, processing of loan and grant applications for the June board meeting, closing of loans and grants approved at the April meeting and assisting the Coalfields Expressway Authority. He noted there have been 120 inquiries and 19 prospect visits year-to-date.
“Staff are currently working around 34 active projects, with the highest levels currently in the manufacturing and small business sectors,” Belcher noted. “Several projects are pending announcement and are in various stages of that process.”
One of the larger, most recent projects announced, Belcher said, was the CNX Resources expansion to Richlands, Va., which is projected to create and retain 75 full-time jobs. That project was announced May 26 with the closing of a $900,000 loan from VCEDA to the Tazewell County Industrial Development Authority to assist with the project.
Read more about the VCEDA Meeting.
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A ceremonial check representing funding in the amount of $169,152 to the Dickenson County IDA to be used to finance the provision of low earth orbit space-based broadband to unserved and/or underserved children in Dickenson County was presented to the IDA recently. On hand for the presentation were, from left, Dickenson County Administrator Larry Barton; VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel Jonathan Belcher; Dickenson County IDA Chairman Larry Yates; Dickenson County Board of Supervisors Chairman Josh Evans; and Dickenson County IDA Executive Director Dana Cronkhite.
Grant Will Help Continue to Expand Internet Access in Dickenson County
High speed Internet access gained another boost in Dickenson County as an up to $169,152 grant from the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) was awarded to the Dickenson County Industrial Development Authority (IDA) to be used to finance the provision of low earth orbit space-based broadband to unserved and/or underserved children in Dickenson County.
A portion of the funding, $124,800 comes from the VCEDA Education and Telehealth Access Fund and the remaining amount, $44,352 comes from the VCEDA Dickenson County account. The county also plans to use $22,848 in ARPA funds to extend access to high-speed Internet which will serve an additional 48 households, including 74 school-aged children.
“The grant will be used to take care of the expenses of hardware, wiring and two-year subscriptions for each household served according to the Dickenson County Industrial Development Authority application. In the end, the grant serves to enhance educational opportunities for students, expand health treatment options and to enhance workforce education and remote worker opportunities.”
Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel
Read more about Dickenson Internet Access.
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CFX Authority Board Chairman Jay Rife, second from left, makes a point at a meeting of the CFX Authority Board meeting held in Dickenson County. Pictured are James Keen, left, Buchanan County; Rife; J.H. Rivers, Wise County; and Josh Evans, Dickenson County.
Virginia CFX Authority Hears Updates on Funding, Construction
Consideration of how best to raise cost share matching funds in seeking large federal grants to advance construction of the Coalfields Expressway in Virginia was among the topics of discussion as members of the Virginia Coalfields Expressway (CFX) Authority met at the Dickenson Center for Education and Research in Clintwood, Va., in June.
Josh Evans, chairman of the Dickenson County Board of Supervisors, who is also a member of the CFX Authority board, welcomed authority board members to Dickenson County and thanked them for meeting in Dickenson County.
Throughout the discussion, several board members noted the three counties which comprise the authority – Buchanan, Dickenson and Wise – are all in it together as what benefits one county related to the completion of the roadway will ultimately benefit all three by serving to further open access to the area. In addition to the importance of sections of the roadway now under construction in Buchanan County, CFX Authority Chairman Jay Rife noted the section of the roadway from Pound to Dickenson County is equally important and remains a priority of the authority board.
Read more about Virginia CFX Authority Meeting.
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A second round of funding to benefit the Solar Workforce Accelerator program at Mountain Empire Community College was recently approved by VCEDA. Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA executive director/general counsel, right, presented a ceremonial check to the MECC Foundation for $117,150 to Dr. Amy Greear, Mountain Empire Community College vice president for institutional advancement, center, to continue to grow the MECC Solar Workforce Accelerator program. Also pictured is Adam Wells, Appalachian Voices regional director of community and economic development.
MECC Solar Workforce Accelerator Program Gains Second Round of VCEDA Funding
Mountain Empire Community College (MECC) will continue to develop its Solar Workforce Accelerator Program due in part to an up to a $117,150 grant recently approved by the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) for the MECC Foundation.
MECC previously applied jointly with Southwest Virginia Community College (SWCC) to develop the program which focuses on workforce development and training in the solar field. Through the program, students are trained and placed in paid internships. MECC recently applied to VCEDA for a second round of funding to be used to continue to grow the MECC program after a successful start to the program in 2022.
Based on a completed market analysis, it is estimated VCEDA’s funds will help to directly support 19 commercial and institutional solar projects in Southwest Virginia, create 84 new jobs, attract $2.4 million in private investment and generate $1.6 million in energy cost savings through the program.
“VCEDA is pleased to again assist in helping to fund the continued development of the Solar Workforce Accelerator project at Mountain Empire Community College. MECC began to successfully implement the project last summer and is poised to grow it more this summer. Energy has always been a key industry in our region and this project will continue to position our workforce in the area to be ready as solar energy grows in the future.”
Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel
Read more about MECC Solar Workforce Accelerator Program.
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VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel Jonathan Belcher, right, presents a ceremonial check for $168,155 to Breaks Interstate Park Superintendent Austin Bradley to be used for infrastructure and improvement projects at the park.
Five Infrastructure Projects at Breaks Interstate Park Will Benefit from Grant
Five infrastructure and other improvement projects planned at the Breaks Interstate Park received a boost recently as an up to a $168,155 grant was closed from the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) to the park.
The funds come from the VCEDA Civil Penalties Fund and will be used to develop infrastructure and improvements at the park, specifically including renovations and new furniture at the park’s hotel and restaurant/conference buildings; improved park entrance lighting; swimming pool construction; an HVAC unit for the Visitor Center; swinging bridge site improvements; and bike rental facility improvements.
“VCEDA is pleased to once again assist the Breaks Interstate Park in its continuing efforts to keep the park growing and up to date. The park is one of the premier tourism assets in Southwest Virginia’s e-Region and something which contributes not only to visitor experiences, but which also adds to the quality of life amenities here for those who live in the region.”
Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel
Read more about the Breaks Park Infrastructure Projects.
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Solar Workgroup Holds ‘Solar Celebration’
VCEDA recently attended the Solar Workgroup “in-person solar celebration” in St. Paul, Va. Among the topics discussed at the meeting was a recap of what the Solar Workgroup is working on and has accomplished since it was established. Also discussed were potential future projects and how renewable energy can contribute to the coalfields.
VCEDA has provided funding for the past two years for the Southwest Virginia Solar Workforce Accelerator program which is training apprentices in the field of solar installation while at the same time allowing them to earn solar credentials through the community colleges. VCEDA Marketing Ambassador Charlotte Mullins represented VCEDA at the event.
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VCEDA Marketing Ambassador Diane Thomas; Scott County Economic Development Authority Executive Director John Kilgore; and Virginia Economic Development Partnership Talent Solutions Business Manager Jessi Fritz attended the summer VEDA meeting.
VCEDA Attends VEDA Meeting
VCEDA was pleased to be in attendance at the recent summer Virginia Economic Developers Association (VEDA) meeting in Harrisonburg, Va.
Since 1982, the Virginia Economic Developers Association (VEDA) has worked to shape economic development public policy and serves as a primary source of strong and effective education and networking for economic development professionals.
The theme this year was “Maximize Potential. Accelerate Results.” VEDA is a non-profit, non-partisan membership organization for individuals with a professional interest in economic development in Virginia. At the summer meeting, awards were presented for winning economic development projects in several localities and attendees had the opportunity to network with other economic development professionals and heard from VEDP on its innovative framework for economic growth which focuses on knowledge work, manufacturing and logistics.
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VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel Jonathan Belcher, right, presents a ceremonial check for $50,000 to Heart of Appalachia Tourism Authority Executive Director Kim Smith to be used to grow and promote HOA’s marketing efforts in the region served by VCEDA and HOA.
Grant to Heart of Appalachia Will Boost Region’s Tourism Marketing
The marketing of tourism-related businesses and assets located in the seven-county, one city area of VCEDA received a boost recently as an up to $50,000 grant was awarded to the Heart of Appalachia Tourism Authority from the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) Tourism Capital Improvement Matching Fund.
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.
Among the planned uses for the most recent grant to HOA is the printing of tourism marketing materials including the Appalachian Backroads map and Heart of Appalachia Travel Guide. The funds will also be used to develop and revive the Heart of Appalachia Scenic Drive and Bike Route, which was established more than 20 years ago and stretches more than 100 miles though Tazewell, Russell and Wise counties.
“The Heart of Appalachia has been an integral part of the marketing of the region as a tourism destination and that has also served to support smaller tourism-related businesses throughout the region. VCEDA is pleased to assist in the continued marketing efforts of the authority as it promotes the region as a travel destination. Tourism is an important part of economic development statewide, including in our region, as it both directly and indirectly assists venues in the region to continue to thrive and grow. HOA projects employing one additional full-time and one additional part-time employee within four years.”
Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel
Read more about The Heart of Appalachia.
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VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel Jonathan Belcher, second from left, presents a ceremonial check for $30,000 to Dickenson County IDA Chairman Larry Yates, center, representing grant funding for additional development of the IDA’s Green Lot. Also on hand for the presentation, were, from left, Dickenson County Administrator Larry Barton; Belcher; Yates; Dickenson County Economic Development Director Dana Cronkhite; and Dickenson County Board of Supervisors Chairman Josh Evans.
Site Development Grant Will Assist with Dickenson Project
An up to $30,000 grant to the Dickenson County Industrial Development Authority (IDA) to be used for additional site development on the IDA’s “Green Lot” in Clintwood to ready it for future development was closed recently by the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA).
In addition to site development, the funds will be used for the construction of a permanent entrance and installation of roller compacted stone at the 1.14-acre site, adjacent to Clintwood Lumber in Clintwood, Va., and known as the “Green Lot.”
“VCEDA has supported the development of the Green Lot project in Dickenson County previously, approving funding to the IDA — including a $300,000 loan toward the project in 2016 and a $60,000 loan in 2021 — to assist in the acquisition and development of the site. This latest round of funding will assist in additional site development to ready it for future economic development.”
Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel
Read more about The Dickenson Project.
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VEDP Rep Visits Southwest Virginia’s e-Region
VCEDA was pleased to host Abigail Patterson with the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) on a regional familiarization tour in June. While in Southwest Virginia’s e-Region, she toured sites in Russell, Scott, Lee, Tazewell, Wise, Dickenson, Buchanan and the City of Norton, finishing up with a short visit to the Breaks Interstate Park. She also met with economic development directors in each of the counties and toured sites to learn more about ongoing projects.
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VCEDA to Sponsor Creatorcon
VCEDA has signed on to be a sponsor of Creatorcon coming up in August in Norton, Va.
Creatorcon is an educational conference for entrepreneurs, creators and economic developers designed to provide an opportunity for them to network and share ideas and to take away actionable items to grow. The objective of the conference is that when attendees leave, they are inspired creatively, have grown their networks and connected with mentors to grow their businesses.
A business pitch competition with a $5,000 prize awarded to the winner is among the activities planned. For more information or to register, interested persons may visit creatorcon.community.
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VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel Jonathan Belcher, right, presents a ceremonial check representing a $50,000 grant from the authority’s tourism capital improvement matching fund to Theatre Guild of Buchanan County representatives, including, from left, Jessica Savage and Jodi Reynolds. The funds will be used for additional renovations at the Community Arts Mainstage at Vansant.
$50,000 Grant Awarded to Theatre Guild of Buchanan County
A $50,000 grant from the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) Tourism Capital Improvement Matching Fund to the Theatre Guild of Buchanan County has been announced.
The funds are being used by the guild to finance building renovations and improvements including electrical upgrades, the purchase and installation of an HVAC system, outdoor shed renovations and other improvements at the former Coca-Cola bottling facility, which was renamed by the group as the Community Arts Mainstage (CAM) and which has housed Theatre Guild performances since 2021.
The Theatre Guild of Buchanan County was formed in 2016 as a Virginia non-stock corporation and is also a 501c3 non-profit organization. Its goal is to bring the highest standard of community theatre to the county and to cultivate arts appreciation.
“VCEDA was pleased to again assist the Theatre Guild of Buchanan County with its plans to continue to renovate and upgrade the former Coca-Cola building as a community theatre. The latest round of VCEDA funding for the project comes from the Tourism Capital Improvement Matching Fund and will continue to build upon the renovations which have already occurred, turning the building into the community theatre space. According to the Theatre Guild’s application, two full time and three to four part-time jobs will be created within five years.”
Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel
Read more about The Theatre Guild of Buchanan County.
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Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA executive director/general counsel, presents a ceremonial check for $217,000 to the Dickenson County IDA to be utilized for the county IDA’s chip mill redevelopment project. On hand for the presentation, from left, were Belcher; Larry Yates, Dickenson County IDA chairman; Josh Evans, chairman of the Dickenson County Board of Supervisors; Dana Cronkhite, Dickenson County IDA executive director; and Larry Barton, Dickenson County Administrator.
Dickenson Chip Mill Site Redevelopment Project Gets Boost from VCEDA Grant
An up to a $217,000 grant to be used to assist the Dickenson County Industrial Development Authority in its Chip Mill Site Redevelopment Project in the Red Onion area of Dickenson County was recently closed by the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA).
The funds will be used to repurpose the abandoned chip mill site and to provide a build ready pad of approximately 23.5 acres.
“The IDA’s goal is to prospect and market the redeveloped site to potential developers for future job creation and economic growth. The VCEDA funds, which will used to repurpose the site, will improve the property and complement other development in the Red Onion Industrial Park currently underway, increasing the overall marketability of the site for attracting business.”
Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel
Read more about the Dickenson Chip Mill Site Redevelopment.
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VCEDA’s Jean Jordan, Charlotte Mullins and Marketta Horton represented the authority at the 8th annual SWVA Economic Forum held in late May.
8th SWVA Economic Forum Held
VCEDA was an exhibitor and helped to sponsor the 8th Annual SWVA Economic Forum: Pursuit of Prosperity on May 25, 2023 in Wise.
Each year, the forum engages participants to explore a shared vision of regional collaboration, growth and innovation for all of Southwest Virginia. This year’s keynote speaker, Sean Brock (American chef and restaurateur), shared how his connection to the region shaped his journey and helped him find success within his loves of community, culture and cuisine.
Tom Barkin, president & CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, VA, highlighted future opportunities for rural communities in SWVA. A panel of experts took a look at how SWVA is keeping its energy roots while shifting toward new opportunities.
Stephanie Tyree, executive director of the West Virginia Community Development Hub, shared how to capitalize on untapped resources for coal-impacted communities. New avenues of transportation were also discussed. It was a successful event with lots of innovative discussions and networking opportunities.
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Chris Van Orden, manager of international business development at the Virginia Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at George Mason University, talks with meeting participants about culinary and agritourism opportunities in Virginia.
International Tourism/Education Attraction Strategies Discussed
VCEDA took part in the discussion at the International Tourism and Education Attraction Strategies event held at the Southwest Virginia Cultural Center in Abingdon, Va., in mid- July.
The U.S. Commercial Service, part of the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Virginia SBDC International team, along with representatives of the Virginia Tourism Corporation, were on hand to lead the discussion and provided data and trends information and identified programs designed to attract international visitors and students.
Speakers included Olga Molnar with the U.S. Commercial Service; Kalen Hunter with the Virginia Tourism Corporation; and Chris Van Orden with the SBDC.
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In addition to offering musical instruments for sale, The Music School and Shop provides instruction opportunities as well.
Seed Capital Grant Approved for The Music School and Shop
While The Music School and Shop on 716 Park Avenue NW in the City of Norton provides retail musical instruments and accessories, its primary focus is educational, according to owner James Wardell. The veteran-owned small business provides centralized resources for vocal and instrumental instruction in music.
RTW Music, LLC, dba The Music School and Shop was a recent recipient of a $10,000 Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) Seed Capital Matching Grant.
“The Music School and Shop is filling the need for musical instruments and instruction. The new business projects two full-time and 12 part-time employees within five years.”
Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel
Read more about The Music School and Shop.
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Tazewell Company Joins VALET Program
Simmons Equipment Company in Tazewell, Va., is one of 13 companies across the state of Virginia who has joined the state’s Virginia Leaders in Export Trade (VALET) two-year program.
VALET, which has now graduated 375 companies, is a two-year international business acceleration program providing participating companies with international sales plan development services, assistance from a team of experienced international service providers, international business meetings with potential partners, educational events and customized market research. There are currently 53 companies participating in the VALET program and 428 Virginia companies have been accepted to participate in the program since its inception in 2002.
“International trade is a key component of advancing economic growth and prosperity in Virginia and the VALET program is a vehicle that provides the tools and resources for our existing businesses to expand into the global marketplace,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “We congratulate these Virginia companies on taking proactive steps to grow international sales and look forward to their future success.”
For the full news release on the program issued by the governor’s office, visit https://www.governor.
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