CLINCHCO, VA – November 15, 2022 – High quality, experienced automotive service at an economical price will soon be available in the Clinchco area as Wright Way Repair, LLC prepares to open in early 2023, according to Heather Wright, who co-owns the new business with her husband, Joshua.
Wright Way Repair, LLC was a recent recipient of a $10,000 Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) Seed Capital Matching Grant.
“Wright Way Repair, LLC will offer automotive repair services in Dickenson County, primarily serving residents in Clinchco, Haysi and Clintwood and those traveling through the area, according to their business plan,” said Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA executive director/general counsel. “The new business projects three full-time employees within five years.”
A building at 141 Road Branch in Clinchco has been purchased and will be renovated to house the new business and offer storage space for rent as well.
“We are currently waiting on the contractor to do the renovations needed to the building we purchased,” Heather said. “We do have the storage/rental side of the business up and running and we rent one large area of the building to a single customer.”
She noted that once Wright Way Repair, LLC opens, it will offer major automotive repair services including engine and transmission work and engine rebuilds. A second business they have, Wright Way Service, offers oil changes, tire rotation and basic in and out preventive maintenance automotive services and it was out of that business that the new business was born, she added.
“We will use the VCEDA grant toward the remodeling of the new building,” Heather said. “Having the funds frees up other funds for us to use to invest in the business. The VCEDA grant gives us a head start.”
The Wrights worked with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Mountain Empire Community College (MECC) in developing their application to VCEDA and received a letter of support from the Dickenson County Industrial Development Authority.
“Mountain Empire’s SBDC thanks Wright Way for the opportunity to work with them,” said Becki O’Quinn-Purdie, director of the SBDC at MECC. “Their new business will allow them to grow and provide more services to the Clinchco and surrounding area. MECC’s SBDC looks forward to working with Wright Way in the future.”
Dickenson County IDA Director Dana Cronkhite added, “The Dickenson County Industrial Development Authority (IDA) supports small businesses and entrepreneurs within our county by collaborating with the local community college Small Business Development Centers and the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA). We recognize the challenges with seed capital for new businesses and believe that this program gives many entrepreneurs an opportunity to take a solid business plan and turn that into a profitable business.”
The new business may be reached at wrightwayrepair2022@gmail.com.
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.