GRUNDY, VA — August 7, 2025 – The closing of an up to $4 million loan from the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) to Apex Leasing Corporation, an affiliate of West River Conveyors and Machinery Company, will soon see West River relocate and expand to the Southern Gap Industrial Park.
The loan will be used to finance site development, the construction of an approximately 65,000-square-foot manufacturing facility on the land it will be acquiring from the Buchanan County Industrial Development Authority at Southern Gap, as well as for the installation of utilities, concrete, paving and parking lot construction and the purchase of equipment, machinery and tools.
“West River is one of VCEDA’s longest-standing customers going all the way back to 1989,” said VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel Jonathan Belcher. “West River — including its affiliate Apex Leasing Corporation — has received several loans from VCEDA through the years to assist with various expansion projects. All of these loans have always been paid promptly.”
With the expansion and new location, West River has projected it will create an additional 10 new full-time jobs within five years, an additional 10 new full-time jobs within 10 years and five more within 15 years for a total of 25 new full-time jobs.
“We are thrilled about the opportunities this move to the Southern Gap facility brings for our employees, our customers and the community,” said West River Conveyors President Pete Savage. “This investment positions us to continue growing while providing world-class products and services from right here in Buchanan County.”
West River Conveyors is a designer and manufacturer of conveyor systems and equipment. West River builds belt drives, discharge/transfer stations, tail sections, take-up units, power packs, starters, belt storage units, winches, structure and many unique fabrications to customer specifications. It also sells conveyor belt as part of its conveyor packages as well as new and used conveyor parts.
According to its application for VCEDA funding, West River has the largest selection of new, used and surplus unused industrial gearboxes in the United States and has delivered parts and products to almost all 50 states and many foreign countries.
West River serves a variety of mining industries including coal, aggregate, gypsum, phosphate, salt, potash and trona. Additional industries served by West River with conveyor parts include paper/wood, zinc, recycling/waste management, agriculture, construction, mills, marine terminals, energy/power plants and steel.
West River was founded in 1981 by J. B. Roulett and Joe G. Street and was incorporated in Virginia in 1985. It is one of the largest manufacturers and private employers in Buchanan County.
Originally located adjacent to U.S. 460 in the Oakwood area of Buchanan County, West River relocated some 25 years ago to a larger piece of flat property — the former VP2 coal site — on Dismal River Road. It served the company well until the company suffered two major disasters at that location. In 2022, massive flooding occurred in this area of Buchanan County and West River’s facility was partially flooded and its access bridge was damaged. In December 2024, the company experienced a major fire which severely damaged its primary manufacturing space and several items of its manufacturing equipment. Although the company was able to get back into operation quickly by re-tasking some smaller buildings on the property which were not damaged by the fire, West River made the decision that it is best for the long-term future of the company and its ability to grow and expand to find a new site at which to relocate.
The new site for West River at Southern Gap is within 1,000 feet of the Route 744 intersection of the new Coalfields Expressway (U.S. 121/460), making it an excellent logistical location from which to operate and manufacture products, Belcher noted.
“We are so grateful to secure the loan from VCEDA and for the help we’ve had from the Buchanan County IDA in locating a site at Southern Gap,” said West River Conveyors
Chief Strategic Officer Jessica Savage. “This loan will play a critical role in making the new facility build possible for West River. It allows us to invest more in our people, equipment and long-term growth plan. This project isn’t just about expanding our capacity, but it is about building the future of our company and strengthening the manufacturing economy in Buchanan County and the entire VCEDA region.”
“It’s always great to see a legacy company in the county expand and we are happy they have chosen Southern Gap for their expansion,” said Buchanan County IDA Director Matt Fields of West River’s decision to expand and relocate to Southern Gap. “West River provides countless employment opportunities for the residents of Buchanan and this expansion will allow them the ability to expand those opportunities even further. We appreciate VCEDA’s help and cooperation to see this project along and are very excited to see other projects in the pipeline come to fruition as well. Buchanan County’s future remains as bright as ever.”
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.