POUND, VA – OCTOBER 3, 2022 – While general landscaping and lawn care services have been the primary focus of the work done by WM3 Enterprises, LLC this past summer, small construction, driveway repair and more are also on the list of services offered by WM3 for both residential and commercial customers.
WM3 Enterprises, LLC was a recent recipient of a $10,000 Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) Seed Capital Matching Grant.
Wallace Mullins III, or “Tre’,” opened the business to be able to provide needed services in the community, however, in addition to completing jobs in Wise County and the City of Norton, Mullins said his company’s service area also includes customers in Dickenson County.
“WM3 Enterprises, LLC is providing needed services in the region and re-investing in the business to continue to grow it and its client base ,” said Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA executive director/general counsel. “The business projects employment of five full-time and seven part-time employees within five years.”
Mullins said he opened the business to serve the people in his community, adding, “we are dedicated to not only provide our customers with great service, but also to build relationships with our customers. We want to be reliable and available to all of the people around us and we want them to know that they can trust us to help them out.”
As the business grows, Mullins said he hopes to branch out more into site reclamation and small land development projects. He said he currently rents a small excavator and skid steer as needed.
Free estimates for all types of jobs are available.
Mullins said he used the VCEDA grant toward the purchase a new mower and equipment needed for the business.
“The grant really gave us a leg up,” he said. “We needed a new mower and getting it allowed us to add another member to the crew and added to our productivity. We are so appreciative and thankful we received the grant – it really helped us.”
Mullins worked with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Mountain Empire Community College (MECC) in developing his application to VCEDA and received a letter of support from the Wise County Industrial Development Authority.
“Mountain Empire’s SBDC appreciated the opportunity to work with Tre’,” said Becki O’Quinn-Purdie, SBDC director at MECC. “He has the energy and capacity to take this business and grow it to the next level. His attention to the business and his staff are impressive. MECC SBDC looks forward to working with Tre in the future.”
The business may be reached by calling 276-870-0079 and may also be found on Facebook.
“The services offered by WM3 are essential to property owners in Wise County, said Wise County IDA Executive Director Brian Falin. “The Wise County IDA was proud to provide a letter of support for WM3 in their application for the VCEDA Seed Capital program and we see great potential for the funds to allow the business to expand. It’s great to see a young entrepreneur like Tre’ make the investment of his time and resources into a business that greatly benefits our communities.”
About Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority and Southwest Virginia’s e-Region: The Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority, created by the Virginia General Assembly in 1988 to enhance and diversify the region’s economy and help create jobs, markets Southwest Virginia’s e-Region and its focus on electronic information technology, energy, education, emerging technologies, and entrepreneurship. VCEDA is a unique economic development organization that manages funds for economic development projects from a percentage of the coal and natural gas severance taxes paid by coal and natural gas companies that operate in the region. Located in southwestern Virginia, the region includes Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Tazewell, and Wise counties and the City of Norton. www.vceda.us or www.e-Region.org.
About the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority Seed Capital Matching Grant Fund: VCEDA region for-profit businesses one year and under with less than 10 full-time employees are eligible to apply for dollar-for-dollar matching grants up to $10,000 from the VCEDA Seed Capital Matching Fund. Applicants work with the Small Business Development Centers at Mountain Empire and Southwest Virginia community colleges to prepare the applications to VCEDA that include detailed business and financial plans. Businesses must be located in, or plan to operate in, the VCEDA region in southwestern Virginia that includes Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Tazewell and Wise counties and the City of Norton. Only businesses in qualifying industry sectors are considered for funding. The seed capital program is funded by regional natural gas severance taxes paid by the natural gas industry.