VCEDA Board Approves $1.11 Million in Loans, Grants in 7 Counties
A total of $1.11 million in loans and grants for projects in all seven counties in the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) service region were approved June 19, 2025 by the VCEDA board meeting in Lebanon, VA. The projects approved included a combined total of $100,000 for seed capital projects to fund new businesses starting up in Buchanan, Dickenson, Russell, Tazewell, Lee and Scott counties. Read more:
10 Small Businesses Selected to Receive Seed Capital Matching Grants
Ten small businesses were selected earlier this month to be recipients of a $10,000 VCEDA seed capital matching grant. Businesses selected to receive grants in the spring round included: Just Breakin Bread LLC, Buchanan County; Lin’s Bistro, LLC, Dickenson County; Painting Outside the Lines Studio LLC, Lee County; Harwood Cavalier Properties LLC d/b/a River Hill Farms, Russell County; PBall’s Some & Grill LLC, Russell County; Two Sweet Bees LLC, Scott County; Ardent Construction, LLC, Tazewell County; Neeka Skincare LLC, Tazewell County; Painted Mountain Riverbend Retreat LLC, Tazewell County; and Fearless Ventures LLC, Tazewell County.
$2.09 Million VCEDA Loan to Dickenson County IDA Will Assist with Red Onion Industrial Site Development
An up to $2,093,186 loan from the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) to be used to assist with the continued development of the Red Onion Industrial Site in Dickenson County, VA was recently closed between VCEDA and the Dickenson County Industrial Development Authority (IDA).
$50,000 VCEDA Grant Will Be Used for New Lonesome Pine Regional Business and Technology Park Signage
An up to $50,000 grant from the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) to the Wise County Industrial Development Authority (IDA) will be used to finance the purchase and installation of a new sign for the Lonesome Pine Regional Business and Technology Park in Wise County, VA. Read more:
7×24 Exchange Held in Florida
VCEDA Business Development Specialist Diane Thomas and VCEDA Marketing Ambassador Charlotte Mullins represented VCEDA June 8-11 at the 7×24 Exchange conference in Orlando, FL. The conference took a deep dive into the information technology industry — looking at various technology trends, networks, planning, industry standards, cooling, power, partnerships, design, construction and more!
$20,000 VCEDA Grant Will Assist in DCER Upgrades
Welding classes will soon be added to the offerings at the Dickenson Center for Education and Research (DCER) in Clintwood, VA, thanks to an up to a $20,000 grant from the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) Coalfield Workforce Development and Training Fund. Read more:
Small Business Symposium Held
VCEDA attended and exhibited at the Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity 2025 Small Business Symposium: Access to Capital in early June in Abingdon, VA. The event brought together entrepreneurs and small business owners to explore some of the financial and technical capital resources available to support their business endeavors. VCEDA representatives were Business Development Specialist Diane Thomas and Marketing Ambassador Charlotte Mullins, pictured with Wise County IDA Executive Director Brian Falin and Lee County Community Development Director Leslie Litton.
$200,000 VCEDA Workforce Training Grant Approved for MECC Foundation
An up to $200,000 grant to the Mountain Empire Community College (MECC) Foundation from the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) Coalfield Workforce Development and Training Fund to be used for workforce development and training was closed recently. Read more:
Simmons Equipment Company Hosts Tour
Simmons Equipment Company hosted 9th District Congressman Morgan Griffith as well as Sen. Travis Hackworth; Tyler Lester with Sen. Todd Pillion’s office; Tom Lester with Del. Will Morefield’s office; Jessi Fritz from the Virginia Economic Development Partnership; Ernie McFaddin with the Russell County Industrial Development Authority; Lebanon Mayor Tony Dodi; and VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel Jonathan Belcher on a tour of Simmons’ new Russell County facility in late May. Simmons produces and assembles quality soft rock mining equipment in Russell and Tazewell counties. The company’s recent expansion of operations into Russell County supports job creation and economic growth in the region. VCEDA was pleased to assist Simmons to grow and expand in the past and on the current project, VCEDA approved a $187,500 workforce development and training grant to the company as well as a $500,000 loan to the Industrial Development Authority of Russell County for facility improvements.
SWVA Solar Summit Held
VCEDA was a sponsor of the SWVA Solar Summit held in May. As part of the event, VCEDA sponsored the Student Solar Building Competition. Teams of high school students competed to build the best solar-powered robot. Each team was provided a robot kit, instructions and some additional materials. The students had two hours to build their bot and then they were tested on three different obstacles: a flat runway, a runway with gravel and a ramp. Teams were judged on how well the bots made it through the obstacles, as well as overall design and teamwork. Four teams competed.