BREAKS, VA – NOVEMBER 19, 2024 – An up to $100,000 grant from the VCEDA Civil Penalties Fund to be used to develop infrastructure and improvements at the Breaks Interstate Park was closed recently for the park.
Renovation of the park’s potable water tanks, expansion of its gift shop, repairs and/or replacement of the roof and gutters on the chief ranger’s residence, improvements to the park’s amphitheater, maintenance shop repairs and additions and miscellaneous equipment purchases will be funded through the grant.
“VCEDA is pleased to continue to support Breaks Interstate Park projects through the civil penalties fund,” said VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel Jonathan Belcher. “Each of the improvements planned in this round of funding serve to enhance visitor experiences at the park.”
The specific projects to be undertaken are as follows:
- Water tank renovation: exterior and interior renovation of the park’s potable water tanks. Construction is expected to occur during April-May 2025 and includes cleaning, priming, painting, foundation work and access improvements.
- Gift Shop expansion: expansion of the retail area in the Chafin Lodge Gift Shop. Construction is expected to be performed by park employees with the grant covering material costs such as flooring, walls, ceilings, paint and furniture. Some specialized construction services may be needed.
- Chief ranger’s residence repairs: repairs and/or replacement of the roof/gutters of the chief ranger’s residence.
- Amphitheater Improvements: improvements to the park’s amphitheater, including the purchase of a building to serve as the sound booth, repainting, new guttering and new roofing.
- Maintenance shop repairs/additions: maintenance shop repairs/additions, including replacement of garage doors that are no longer functional and the addition of a metal carport structure to house equipment.
- Miscellaneous equipment purchases: miscellaneous equipment purchases, including a new trailer for hauling equipment and a radio/repeater system to be used by park staff to coordinate park functions between headquarters and field staff.
“The Breaks Interstate Park Commission is grateful for VCEDA’s ongoing support through the civil penalties grant program,” said Breaks Park Superintendent Austin Bradley. “These funds have made a tremendous difference in our ability to update the park over the years to better meet the expectations of our guests. These particular projects will help ensure that visitors will continue to have access to clean drinking water and will significantly expand the retail space at the Chafin Lodge Gift Shop. Utilization of the park’s amphitheater has also expanded over the course of the last several years due to our partnership with Artist’s Collaborative Theater and this grant will help upgrade this facility.”
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.