HONAKER, VA – MARCH 25, 2026 –Retaining walls, driveway construction, site prep and other grading and excavation work are among the services offered by 4U8 Construction & Services, Inc., in Honaker, VA. Owners Krista Sutherland, Brittany Miller, Justin Miller and Ross Sutherland started the business to provide area residents with dependable construction support.
4U8 Construction & Services, Inc. is a recent recipient of a $10,000 Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) Seed Capital Matching Grant. Seed capital grants are funded from regional funds received by VCEDA which are paid by the natural gas industry.
“4U8 Construction and Services is a small family-owned construction company,” said Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA executive director/general counsel. “They specialize in grade work, roadway repair, lot clearing and retaining wall construction, providing services needed in the region. The business projects six full-time and four part-time employees within five years.”
The Sutherlands and the Millers bring about 40 years of experience in operating heavy equipment in the construction and mining industries to the new business. The company got its name by the fact that each of the two couples have four children and thus, “4U8” was born as the name.
“There’s a real need in the county and in the area for the services we provide,” said Ross Sutherland. “We focus on projects that larger companies often overlook and will take on smaller jobs as well as larger ones. Many larger construction companies overlook smaller projects in the region, creating a service gap that leaves property owners with limited options.”
Primarily, 4U8 Construction operates in Buchanan, Dickenson, Russell and Tazewell counties.
“We’re willing to go about two hours in any direction from Honaker, depending on the size of the job,” Sutherland said. “Our goal is to provide reliable, high quality service to local governments, residents and state and federal agencies that need dependable construction support.”
Sutherland noted 4U8 Construction takes pride in the work it does.
“We take pride in our attention to detail, efficient job completion and strong communication with every client,” Sutherland said.
Currently, the company operates with a small fleet that include a Bobcat E35 excavator, New Holland skid steer and hydraulic dump trailer and flat bed. Modernizing the fleet to meet demands as the company grows is one focus as the company moves forward.
“Starting up a business is a big investment,” said Sutherland. “The VCEDA grant was big help and gave us excellent footing moving forward for us to get started and build upon. It’s given us one less burden to worry about and helps to set us up for the next year.”
Sutherland said the VCEDA funds were used in part toward the purchase of a skid steer.
“Another thing the grant has done is shown us that there are people and groups out there willing to help out – not just to give you a pat on the back, but to really help out,” Sutherland said. “You know you have their support and they believe in you when they give you funding. It helps to build your confidence.”
The Sutherlands and the Millers 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 Russell County Industrial Development Authority (IDA).
“The Southwest Virginia Community College Small Business Development Center (SBDC) congratulates 4U8 Construction on receiving a VCEDA Seed Capital Grant,” said Denise Harmon, executive director of the SBDC at Southwest Virginia Community College. “The SBDC was proud to assist with the application and to support a new trade-based business that helps meet construction workforce needs and supports continued economic development in Russell County, Virginia.”
“Russell County IDA is happy to support the expansion of 4U8 Construction,” said Russell County IDA Executive Director Ernie McFaddin. “We are excited to see their growth continue.”
For more information about 4U8 Construction & Services, Inc., interested persons may call 276-202-6709; or find them on Facebook.
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, within qualifying business categories, 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.
(PHOTO CAPTION: Ross Sutherland, Krista Sutherland, Brittney Miller and Justin Miller started 4U8 Construction & Services, Inc. in Honaker, VA to provide area residents with dependable construction support. 4U8 Construction & Services, Inc., was recently awarded a VCEDA Seed Capital Matching Grant.)