The loan was closed in late May between the Tazewell County IDA and VCEDA for $900,000 the Tazewell County IDA then provided to assist CNX Resources in the relocation and expansion of the gas company’s Virginia headquarters. On hand for the closing were, from left, Seth White, of RPB Properties; Del. Will Morefield; VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel Jonathan Belcher; Tazewell County IDA Chairman Kyle Hurt; CNX Resources Vice President of Virginia Operations Brian Green; Tazewell County Board of Supervisors Chairperson Shanna Plaster; Tazewell County Administrator Eric Young; Tazewell County Economic Development Director Tim Danielson; and Tazewell County Supervisor Andy Hrovatic.
CNX Resources Expansion Bringing 67 Retained, 8 New Jobs to Richlands
Sixty-seven retained and eight new full-time jobs, for a total of 75 jobs will be coming to Richlands, Va., as a $900,000 loan from the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) to the Tazewell County Industrial Development Authority (IDA) is used to assist CNX Resources in the relocation and expansion of the gas company’s Virginia headquarters.
As part of the agreement, Tazewell County IDA is purchasing some 121 acres of land in Tazewell from the company, giving the IDA property it can use for future economic development.
CNX, a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is the largest producer of natural gas in Virginia, with operations primarily in Buchanan, Tazewell and Russell counties. The company is a premier, low carbon intensive natural gas development, production, midstream and technology company. Its corporate headquarters are located near Pittsburgh, Pa.
“VCEDA is pleased to assist the Tazewell County IDA and CNX Resources in this job retention and expansion project. CNX Resources has long been an important part of Southwest Virginia, providing high paying jobs, paying severance taxes which in turn assists additional economic development in the region and assisting in the support of various community projects. CNX could have placed these high paying jobs in another state, which is why we are very pleased to see them choose to remain in Tazewell County and in Southwest Virginia’s e-Region for this expansion.”
Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel
Read more about CNX Resources Expansion.
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VEDP President/CEO Visits
Virginia Economic Development Partnership President and CEO Jason El Koubi recently attended a quarterly VCEDA Local Economic Developers meeting in Lebanon. Other VEDP staff in attendance included Nicole Riley, Abigail Wescott and Jessi Fritz. Also attending was Del. Israel O’Quinn. During the meeting, VEDP partners had an opportunity to hear from VCEDA and local economic developers who provided updates on projects underway in Southwest Virginia’s e-Region communities.
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A $100,000 workforce development and training grant was approved for EarthLink by the VCEDA board and was recently awarded. In this file photo taken at the time of the grant approval, VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel Jonathan Belcher, fourth from right, presents a ceremonial check to EarthLink CEO Glenn Goad, third from left. Also pictured, from left, are Mike Toplisek, EarthLink; Carl Snodgrass, Wise County, now deceased; Goad; Belcher; Scott Klinger, EarthLink; Brian Falin, Wise County IDA executive director; and Natalie Chapman, Wise County Economic Development and grants supervisor.
$100,000 Workforce Training Grant Approved to Assist EarthLink
An up to a $100,000 grant from the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) Coalfield Workforce Development and Training Fund to be used for workforce development and training to further assist with the location of EarthLink, LLC to the Wise/Norton area of the VCEDA region was awarded recently.
EarthLink is a leading high-speed Internet service provider. In the fall of 2021, then Virginia Governor Ralph Northam announced EarthLink would invest $5.4 million to establish a major customer support center in Norton.
“EarthLink has indicated to us they will use the workforce training grant to train local talent in sales, customer service, and advanced technical support skills. The funds may also be used to develop state-of-the-art training facilities. The company projects creating 288 full-time jobs within five years.”
Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel
Read more about EarthLink.
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VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel Jonathan Belcher, left, presents a ceremonial check to Russell County IDA Executive Director Ernie McFaddin, representing the up to $250,000 VCEDA loan approved for the Russell County IDA to be used for the Bates Family Farm manufacturing expansion in that county.
$250,000 Loan Closed for Russell County IDA Manufacturing Project
An up to $250,000 loan from the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) to the Russell County Industrial Development Authority (IDA) to be used to finance additional renovations and improvements at the former Acme building and site soon to be occupied by Bates Family Farm, LLC, was closed recently.
Bates Family Farm relocated to Russell County in 2019 and not only raises goats, but is also a manufacturer of goat milk lotions and soaps.
The IDA has continued to work with Bates Family Farm, LLC to expand into the former Acme building, located at 1309 and 1315 East Main Street in Lebanon, Va. Once upfits to the property are completed, the business will occupy the entire building and begin processing its products from that location. Once the upfits to the property are completed, according to the IDA, Bates Family Farm plans to be in the building by this summer.
“The IDA has been working with Bates Family Farm, LLC, on its planned expansion to develop a manufacturing/processing plant, bringing with it up to 35 full-time jobs within five years. We are pleased to be able to assist the IDA with the funding needed to meet the Bates Family Farm’s upfit needs for the building.”
Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel
Read more about the Russell County IDA Manufacturing Project.
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VCEDA Marketing Ambassadors Diane Thomas and Charlotte Mullins represented VCEDA at the AUVSI Xponential Conference.
VCEDA Attends AUVSI Xponential
VCEDA was in Colorado in May with the Virginia Innovation Partnership (VIPC) attending the AUVSI Xponential Conference. VCEDA was also a sponsor of the Virginia Pavilion at the event.
AUVSI, the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International, is the world’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of uncrewed systems and robotics and represents corporations and professionals from more than 60 countries involved in industry, government and academia.
VCEDA Marketing Ambassadors Diane Thomas and Charlotte Mullins were at the event and had the opportunity to meet with corporations and professionals at the conference and to hear from a wide variety of speakers who shared their perspectives during workshops related to exploring the design, operationalization, integration and safeguarding of uncrewed and robotic technology.
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The Charc Board, LLC was a recent recipient of a VCEDA Seed Capital Matching Grant. Second from left is owner Misti Ramey in this file photo of the ribbon cutting held to celebrate her new business in Wise, VA.
Seed Capital Grant Approved for The Charc Board, LLC
As charcuterie boards have grown in popularity, a niche has been created for the craft of making them which led Misti Ramey to open The Charc Board on 319 E. Main Street in Wise, Va. Boards or boxes of all sizes to serve individuals, as well as businesses, for entertaining, events and parties are offered. Customers have the option to dine in or take out and local delivery options are also available.
The Charc Board LLC was a recent recipient of a $10,000 Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) Seed Capital Matching Grant.
“Misti Ramey has found a real niche in opening the Charc Board, LLC. The business is one that appeals to both locals and tourists as it creates one-of-a-kind food fare for its customers, while also creating jobs. The business projects five full-time and five part-time employees within three years.”
Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel
Read more about The Charc Board, LLC.
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VCEDA Exhibits At MCPA Conference
VCEDA attended and exhibited in late May at the Metallurgical Coal Producers Association 43rd annual Conference and Exposition in Roanoke, WV. The conference brought together coal executives, support personnel, vendors and others interested in the industry to discuss the state of the industry.
The focus of this year’s conference was “Met Coal Makes Steel,” emphasizing the importance of metallurgical coal in making steel and the many things steel makes possible from infrastructure and cars to medical devices and appliances.
A coal executives panel discussion, the state of the steel industry, mine safety, the power grid, railroad transportation, market outlook, environmental, governmental and legal perspectives were all part of the focus of the conference.
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Consultants Forum Held in Virginia Beach
VCEDA attended the Virginia Consultants Forum May 15-17, 2023 in Virginia Beach. The event was sponsored by Team Virginia — a partnership between the Virginia Chamber Foundation, the Virginia Economic Development Partnership and the Virginia Economic Developers Association.
In addition to meeting with leading site location consultants, the forum provided an opportunity for attendees to hear from speakers on a variety of topics, including site selection challenges; the logistics that drive industrial site selection; new energy tax provisions and other benefits provided through recent federal legislation; workforce and talent expectations; telling a convincing workforce story; food processing site selection trends and opportunities; and attracting and retaining IT giants in a hybrid world.
VCEDA Marketing Ambassador Charlotte Mullins represented VCEDA at the event which was also attended by local economic development professionals including Brian Falin, Wise County; Richard Johnson, Lee County; and John Kilgore, Scott County.
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The VCEDA team of economic developers at Data Center World included, from left, Susan Copeland, VCEDA marketing coordinator; John Kilgore, Scott County; Natalie Chapman, Wise County; Dana Cronkhite, Dickenson County; and Richard Johnson, Lee County.
VCEDA Exhibits At Data Center World
The VCEDA team exhibited at Data Center World in Austin, TX, May 8-11 and met with several companies at the show and others located in the Austin area to promote the advantages and amenities available to businesses locating in Southwest Virginia’s e-Region.
Data Center World is the leading digital infrastructure event designed for data center professionals, technology business leader, and innovators who are shaping the future of the digital industry. The VCEDA team hosted the Southwest Virginia’s e-Region exhibit booth as one of the more than 200 exhibitors at the annual conference for data center professionals.
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The ribbon was cut last month marking the official opening of Sugar Plum Tavern & Eatery LLC in St. Paul, Va. Owner Donna Roetzer is pictured, center, along with others present for the event. Sugar Plum Tavern & Eatery, LLC was a recent recipient of a VCEDA Seed Capital Matching Grant.
Sugar Plum Tavern & Eatery, LLC Approved for Seed Capital Grant
Family style dining with home-cooked food featuring American and Italian cuisine is what Sugar Plum Tavern & Eatery LLC provides for diners in St. Paul, Va. Located on 16609 Board Street in St. Paul, the new restaurant, which officially opened last month, seeks to serve tourists and locals alike, giving them a place to eat, unwind and relax, said owner, Donna Roetzer. As the business grows, the plan calls for the addition of a small bar selling beer on tap, bottled beer and wine.
Sugar Plum Tavern & Eatery, LLC was a recent recipient of a $10,000 Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) Seed Capital Matching Grant.
“VCEDA’s seed capital matching grant fund was established to encourage new business in Southwest Virginia’s e-Region and to create jobs. Sugar Plum Tavern & Eatery, which opened last month, provides support for the tourism industry and the business projects two full-time and six part-time employees within five years.”
Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel
Read more about Sugar Plum Tavern & Eatery, LLC.
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David and Jennifer White are in the process of building Devils Fork Campground, not far from Scott County’s popular tourist attraction, the Devils Bathtub. The campground is expected to open this summer. Devils Fork Campground LLC was a recent recipient of a VCEDA Seed Capital Matching Grant.
Seed Capital Grant Approved for Devils Fork Campground LLC
As tourism continues to grow in far Southwest Virginia, Jennifer and David White decided it was time to take advantage of the land they owned at 323 Greens Chapel Lane in Dungannon, Va., near the Devils Bathtub in Scott County, to build a campground to allow tourists coming to hike in the area a place to stay and enjoy the surrounding area. As a result, the couple began working on building out Devils Fork Campground, expected to open this summer.
Devils Fork Campground LLC was a recent recipient of a $10,000 Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) Seed Capital Matching Grant.
“Devils Fork Campground LLC is another example of a local business developing to meet the tourism needs of Southwest Virginia’s e-Region. With the Whites’ plans to build the campground, they will be providing additional lodging options in the area which will benefit not only those traveling to the region to visit the Devils Bathtub area, but also the local economy through spin-off business benefits as overnight tourists frequent additional businesses for food, gasoline and other needs. Devils Fork Campground LLC projects two full-time and four part-time employees within five years.”
Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel
Read more about Devils ForkCampground LLC.
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Wise County Industrial Development Authority Director Brian Falin and VCEDA Marketing Ambassadors Charlotte Mullins and Diane Thomas were in attendance at this year’s SelectUSA summit.
VCEDA Exhibits At SelectUSA
VCEDA was pleased to once again be in attendance and to have a booth at the SelectUSA summit in National Harbor, Md. More than 4,200 attendees from 82-plus foreign markets and more than 53 states and territories were represented at this year’s conference. A variety of sessions, programming and more than 230 speakers were part of the summit which ended May 4.
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Members of the VCEDA board met April 27 in Lebanon, approving loans and grants totaling more than $900,000, including those for site development, broadband, workforce development and tourism-related projects projected to create additional employment and access to high-speed Internet in Southwest Virginia’s e-Region.
VCEDA Approves Loans, Grants for Site Development, Broadband, Tourism Projects
Loans and grants totaling more than $900,000, including those for site development, broadband, workforce development and tourism-related projects projected to create additional employment and access to high-speed Internet in Southwest Virginia’s e-Region were approved April 27 during a meeting of the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority board in Lebanon. Five of the projects approved are related to tourism initiatives through the VCEDA Tourism Capital Improvement Matching Fund and the VCEDA Civil Penalties Fund.
The board also agreed to earmark an additional up to $500,000 from the VCEDA Coalfield Workforce Development and Training Fund for the VCEDA Renewable Energy Fund, subject to the existing guidelines and to adjust the application deadlines on the VCEDA Renewable Energy Fund to a rolling basis.
VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel Jonathan Belcher updated board members on activity since the last meeting, noting activity has focused on attendance at marketing outreach events, production of the annual report, processing of loan and grant applications for the April board meeting and assisting the Virginia Coalfields Expressway Authority.
Read more about the VCEDA Board Meeting.
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Sarah and Michael Oquin bought the marina located on the Flannagan Reservoir in Dickenson County and renamed it the Mountain View Marina & Campground. In addition to offering a place to park a boat, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding and pedal boating are available. The marina will also offer dry dock storage and a campground as it grows. Mountain View Marina & Campground, LLC was a recent recipient of a VCEDA Seed Capital Matching Grant.
Mountain View Marina & Campground, LLC Approved For Seed Capital Grant
When Sarah and Michael Oquin bought the marina located on the Flannagan Reservoir in Dickenson County at 598 Marina Cove in Clintwood, Va., and renamed it the Mountain View Marina & Campground, they planned not only to operate the marina, but also to expand the variety of experiences offered there from being a place to park a boat, to also be a place to launch from for any number of water sports including fishing, kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding and pedal boating. The marina will also offer dry dock storage, a campground and cabin rentals in the future as it grows.
Mountain View Marina & Campground, LLC was a recent recipient of a $10,000 Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) Seed Capital Matching Grant.
“Mountain View Marina & Campground, LLC has added to the variety of tourism options available in Dickenson County since it opened, expanding to offer not only boat parking and other water sport options for their patrons, but also beginning to develop planning to offer camping on-site as well. The business projects three full-time and six part-time employees within five years.”
Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel
Read more about Mountain View Marina & Campground, LLC.
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Julie and David Sykes opened Sykes Seamless Gutter LLC, to meet the gutter needs of home and business owners in the region. Sykes Seamless Gutter LLC was a recent recipient of a VCEDA Seed Capital Matching Grant.
Seed Capital Grant Approved for Sykes Seamless Gutter LLC
From the installation of new seamless gutter and gutter guards to gutter repairs and cleanout, Sykes Seamless Gutter LLC, offers a variety of gutter solutions to homeowners and business owners alike. Affordable products and quality workmanship are what David and Julie Sykes, who opened the business at 132 Market Street in Clintwood, Va., said are the hallmarks of their business.
Sykes Seamless Gutter LLC was a recent recipient of a $10,000 Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) Seed Capital Matching Grant.
“VCEDA’s seed capital matching grant program is designed to provide support for entrepreneurs as they develop and grow their businesses, thereby creating jobs. Sykes Seamless Gutter LLC manufactures custom-made gutters on the spot, serving the specific needs of their customers. Within the first six months, they employed two people full-time and one part-time. Looking to the future, they have told us they hope to add one additional full-time and one additional part-time employee.”
Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel
Read more about Sykes Seamless Gutter LLC.
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New VCCS Chancellor Visits SWVA
VCEDA was pleased to be in attendance April 11 at a luncheon honoring new Virginia Community College System Chancellor David Doré, who was visiting Southwest Virginia Community College (SWCC) on his 20-day, 23-college swing throughout the state.
SWCC President, Dr. Tommy Wright, introduced Doré to the crowd gathered for the luncheon at the Appalachian Arts Center in Cedar Bluff, Va. Doré spoke briefly about the obstacles students face in furthering their education, from childcare and transportation to finances and he stressed the importance of blurring the lines with the K-12 education system to provide students with additional opportunities to pursue degrees and certifications. He spoke about the changing role of community colleges in assisting learners to upscale and rescale their employment mobility through education and he spoke about the importance of community colleges being partners in economic development to draw new business and industry to regions across the state through the talent pipeline they train. He also spoke of the importance of community colleges moving in real time speed to meet the specific needs of business and industry.
VCEDA has had a long-time partnership in workforce development initiatives with both Southwest Virginia Community College and Mountain Empire Community College, the two community colleges located in Southwest Virginia’s e-Region.
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John and Erin Miele opened Rock Bottom Horse Camp in Ewing, Va., to provide a place for travelers with horses to camp and to stable their horses as they arrive in Lee County to ride the equestrian trails in the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, or stop to visit the White Rocks, Sand Cave or Hensley Settlement Trails. They are pictured here with sons, William, Jacob and Thomas. Rock Bottom Horse Camp, LLC is a recent recipient of a VCEDA Seed Capital Matching Grant.
Rock Bottom Horse Camp, LLC Approved for Seed Capital Grant
Visitors from several states have found a place to camp and to stable their horses as they arrive in Lee County to ride the equestrian trails in the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, or stop to visit the White Rocks, Sand Cave or Hensley Settlement Trails. Rock Bottom Horse Camp, LLC not only offers lodging for horses and their owners who are touring the area, but also for those just traveling through the area.
Rock Bottom Horse Camp, LLC was a recent recipient of a $10,000 Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) Seed Capital Matching Grant.
“Rock Bottom Horse Camp, LLC offers a truly unique tourism experience, providing a place for people to camp with their horses as they come to our area to enjoy the outdoor activities and equestrian trails located in the Lee County area. Their business plan and projections for future growth fit well in the creative tourism sector which is one of the areas VCEDA specifically targets for development growth. Currently, Rock Bottom Horse Camp, LLC has one full-time and one part-time employee.”
Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel
Read more about Rock Bottom Horse Camp, LLC.
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VCEDA Attends Site Selectors Guild Meeting In Texas
VCEDA Marketing Coordinator Susan Copeland represented Southwest Virginia’s e-Region, renewing relationships and establishing new ones, at the Site Selectors Guild’s largest ever annual conference in San Antonio, TX in March.
More than 60 site selectors participated in the annual event with a keynote address on the energy sector, breakout sessions and debates on economic development topics such as “Desktop vs. Fieldwork: Which Research is More Valuable in Site Selection?”, “Does Location Matter Anymore for Office Projects?” and “FDI in America: Countries and Companies to Watch in 2023 and Beyond.”
VCEDA also joined Jason El Koubi, president and CEO of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) and others from VEDP at a dinner hosted by VEDP and attended by Virginia regional economic development officials and several Guild members.
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VCEDA Exhibits at Mid America Trucking Show
VCEDA exhibited at the Mid America Trucking Show in Louisville, Ky. The show draws professionals in the heavy-duty trucking industry, specifically owner-operators and fleets and is known as the largest heavy-duty trucking trade show in the world.
While there, VCEDA Marketing Ambassadors Charlotte Mullins and Diane Thomas, along with Buchanan County Industrial Development Authority Executive Director Matt Fields and then Southern Gap Transportation and Logistics Center (SGTLC) Manager Angie Farmer had an opportunity to learn more about industry needs and trends and to speak with fleet managers and other attendees about training opportunities at the SGTLC. Among those they spoke with included Amazon, Wal Mart and FedEx.
There was a lot of interest in the SGTLC and the CDL and diesel training classes offered there. Additionally, the attendees had the opportunity to meet a special guest at the show — NASCAR Legend Richard Petty and his grandson, Thad Moffitt.
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