VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel Jonathan Belcher, displays the award received from the Appalachian Council for Innovation recognizing VCEDA for “Excellence in Government Response: COVID19.”
VCEDA Receives Appalachian Council for Innovation Award
The Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) was presented with the “Excellence in Government Response: COVID19” award Thursday at the Appalachian Council for Innovation’s annual awards banquet. The council was formerly known as the Southwestern Virginia Technology Council and unveiled its new name at the event. Other regional businesses also received recognition during the awards banquet for their efforts and impact in the region in a variety of categories.
VCEDA Board Member Harry Childress accepted the award on behalf of VCEDA. The award recognized VCEDA’s early response in the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
In April, VCEDA approved loan funding of up to $740,000 to help offset the negative economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on local businesses in the coalfield region and at the Breaks Interstate Park. Up to $590,000 of the funding was approved for the eight county and city industrial and economic development authorities in the VCEDA region for distribution to local businesses impacted by COVID-19 in their respective communities. Also approved was up to a $150,000 loan to the Breaks Interstate Park, whose operations were also negatively impacted by COVID-19.
“VCEDA was approached by all the county/city industrial and economic development authorities in the VCEDA region seeking loan funds from each of their respective county/city VCEDA accounts to be able to re-loan those funds to local businesses which were negatively impacted and/or forced to close because of the COVID-19 pandemic in their respective localities. It was expressed to VCEDA at that time that the situation was very dire and that if something was not done to assist those local businesses, many of them might go under and never re-open.”
Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel
Read more about the award VCEDA received.
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Funds Approved for Two Dickenson Economic Development Sites
An up to $950,000 grant to the Dickenson County Industrial Development Authority (IDA) to be used to finance the costs associated with the development of two new economic development sites in that county was recently approved by the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA).
The Dickenson County IDA requested the funds to be used for the demolition of the old Haysi High School and Clintwood High School and Annex, site development, site grading and other improvements, and costs associated with the project to create the two new economic development sites in Dickenson County.
“The IDA approached VCEDA with its interest in adding additional sites to its inventory, which they indicated to us they feel would make the county more attractive to prospects. Having an inventory of sites available assists greatly as we meet with economic development prospects and have sites to show them where they might consider locating their business.”
Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel
Read more about the Dickenson Economic Development Sites.
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Members of the Coalfields Expressway Authority met for the first time October 6 in Grundy. Most briefly removed masks they had worn during the meeting for this photo. Pictured, from left, are authority members, Melanie Salyer; J.H. Rivers; Ed Talbott; John Schoolcraft; Jay Rife, CFX Authority chairman; Mike Yates, CFX Authority vice chairman; Donald Baker; Josh Evans; James Keen; and Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA executive director and CFX Authority executive director and secretary-treasurer. Not pictured are Jack Kennedy, Wise County and Bonnie Bates, who attended Tuesday’s meeting on his behalf; Scott Mullins, Dickenson County; and Craig Stiltner, Buchanan County.
VCEDA Assists in First Meeting of Virginia CFX Authority
The first meeting of the Virginia Coalfields Expressway Authority was held October 6 in Grundy at the new Southern Gap Transportation and Logistics Center.
The authority was created by the General Assembly in 2017, but all of its members had not been appointed until last month at which time Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) Executive Director/General Counsel Jonathan Belcher contacted the members to set up the initial meeting of the authority. Under the Code of Virginia, VCEDA is charged with providing staffing assistance to the authority. Appointments to it are made by the Speaker of the House of Delegates and the Senate Rules Committee. Three members are ex-officio and are appointed by virtue of their elected status in the three counties.
At the October 6 meeting Jay Rife of Buchanan County was elected the first chairman of the Coalfields Expressway Authority and Mike Yates, of Dickenson County, was named vice chairman. VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel Jonathan Belcher was designated as the executive director and secretary/treasurer of the authority.
Read more about the Virginia CFX Authority.
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Yates Recovery and Transport LLC was a recent recipient of a $10,000 VCEDA Seed Capital Matching Grant. From left are VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel Jonathan Belcher; Dakota Yates, owner of Yates Recovery and Transport LLC; and Dickenson County Industrial Development Authority Chairman Larry Yates.
Yates Recovery and Transport LLC Approved for Seed Capital Grant
The need for wrecker and rollback services in the Haysi area was something Dakota Yates, of Clinchco, identified as a need for Dickenson County and surrounding areas. As a result, he opened Yates Recovery and Transport LLC to provide the needed services.
Yates Recovery and Transport LLC was a recent recipient of a $10,000 Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) seed capital matching grant.
“At VCEDA, we are pleased to help the entrepreneurs in our region develop and grow their new businesses through the seed capital matching grant fund. Yates Recovery and Transport LLC is another example of how VCEDA is helping to grow the entrepreneurial spirit found in our region. The new Dickenson County business has announced plans for one full-time and two part-time jobs within two years as the business continues to grow.”
Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel
Read more about Yates Recovery and Transport LLC.
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VCEDA Board Approves New Project Loans, Grants
Four new project loans and grants were approved and modifications to four others were also approved during a meeting of the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) board, September 23, 2020.
Three new members were welcomed to the board including Mike Hymes, representing the Tazewell County Board of Supervisors; Rhonda Sluss, representing the Dickenson County Board of Supervisors; and Brian Hess, representing Coronado IV LLC.
In addition to approving funding for new projects, the board also viewed a new regional video created by VCEDA; its new website at vceda.us; and recent advertising the authority has done in Virginia Business Magazine to raise awareness related to the region and what it has to offer to prospective businesses and those looking to expand.
Read more about New Project Loans, Grants.
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Appalachian Treasures LLC in Bluefield was the recent recipient of a $10,000 VCEDA Seed Capital Matching Grant. Pictured from left are Rachael Wilson; Bill Haver, owner; and Jessica Haver.
Appalachian Treasures LLC Approved for VCEDA Seed Capital Grant
After purchasing a piece of property on Virginia Avenue in Bluefield and the 2,000-square-foot building that is situated on it, Bill Haver began to see the pieces fall into places for his new business, Appalachian Treasures LLC .
The new business, which plans to open later this fall, is the recipient of a recent Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) $10,000 seed capital matching grant.
“VCEDA was pleased to assist Appalachian Treasures LLC with a seed capital matching grant. Under their business model, the reach of this grant may also benefit up to 20 other small business entrepreneurs by providing retail venues for local artisans, crafters, antique dealers and others. Initially, Appalachian Treasures projects one full-time job and one-part-time job.”
Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel
Read more about Appalachian Treasures LLC.
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VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel Jonathan Belcher, second from left, presents a ceremonial seed capital matching grant check to Robert Meade Sr., of Lil’ Doc Hollow Hemp LLC. Pictured from left are Jerry Gray with the Dickenson County IDA; Belcher; Meade; Brenda Meade, Brandon Meade and Trista Meade with Lil’ Doc Hollow Hemp LLC; and Brody.
Seed Capital Grant Approved for Lil’ Doc Hollow Hemp LLC
The growing of industrial hemp in Virginia has a long history tied to it, having been grown in Virginia as early as the mid-1600s. As laws began to change in Virginia in recent years to allow for the production of hemp, the Meade family in Dickenson County saw a new opportunity arise and formed Lil’ Doc Hollow Hemp, LLC.
The company — owned by Robert Meade Sr., Brenda Meade, Brandon Meade and Trista Meade, all of Clintwood — was a recent recipient of a $10,000 Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) seed capital matching grant.
“Assisting area small businesses in their start-up and continued growth is what the VCEDA Seed Capital Matching Grant program is all about. Lil’ Doc Hollow Hemp LLC projects their business will have four full-time and five part-time employees by the fifth year.”
Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel
Read more about Lil’ Doc Hollow Hemp LLC.
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