VCEDA Unveils New Website
Every now and again it’s time for a refresh! VCEDA just launched its new and updated website at www.vceda.us. The new site is a blend of VCEDA’s purpose and impact and also serves to market the region’s assets, explaining industry targets, quality of life in Southwest Virginia’s e-Region and more!
$7.83 Million in Loans, Grants Approved
Nine loans and grants totaling $7.83 million were approved September 25 during a meeting of the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) board in Lebanon, VA.
Ribbon Cut Marking White Rock Truss & Components, LLC Expansion in Lee County
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin and a host of others cut the ribbon September 19 marking the expansion of White Rock Truss & Components, LLC in Lee County, VA. The expansion will see the company invest $1.5 million in the project and create 27 jobs.
Site Selectors Guild Fall Forum Held
VCEDA Business Development Specialists Diane Thomas and Charlotte Mullins were in Indianapolis, Indiana October 1-3 for the Site Selectors Guild Fall Forum. The forum allows attendees to connect directly with the world’s top location strategy experts, economic developers and business leaders shaping the future of site selection and global investment.
Ribbon Cut Celebrating WRAP Technologies Expansion
VCEDA was in attendance September 19 in Norton for a ribbon cutting celebrating WRAP Technologies expansion. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin was in attendance at the event along with Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade Juan Pablo Segura, Del. Terry Kilgore and Sen. Todd Pillion. VCEDA was glad to assist in the project, approving a $3,160,000 loan to the Norton Industrial Development Authority to assist with the construction of the new facility for this project at the Intersection development in Norton.
Lee County Housing, Infrastructure Project Announced
A Lee County housing and infrastructure project announcement in September was celebrated by Gov. Glenn Youngkin and Secretary of Commerce and Trade Juan Pablo Segura. The project includes development of a sewer line considered key infrastructure for the region’s development, unlocking further investment and community growth; and a new housing plan to create 115 new homes (townhouses, duplexes, triplexes), new roads and water lines to support the growth of Lincoln Memorial University (LMU), its veterinary program, students and staff. VCEDA was pleased to be in attendance at the event.
CreatorCon 2025 Held
VCEDA sponsored and exhibited at CreatorCon 2025, September 24-25 at UVA-Wise. Business Development Specialist Charlotte Mullins represented VCEDA at the event. Keynote speaker at the event was Thomas Q. Jones, a Big Stone Gap, VA, native, a former NFL running back, an actor and CEO of CASTAR Applications, Inc. His first venture with CASTAR, the Castar app, is said to have “revolutionized how creative talents connect and thrive in today’s digital landscape.” Jones’ keynote was on “Unlocking the Playbook for Success: On and Off the Field.”
Outdoor Economy Conference Held
VCEDA Business Development Specialists Diane Thomas and Charlotte Mullins represented VCEDA at the 6th annual Outdoor Economy Conference in Cherokee, NC, September 15-18. VCEDA is a sponsor of the conference which is focused on the outdoors and which provides an opportunity for VCEDA to get the word out about the recreation/tourism growth opportunities in the region and what those opportunities afford in the economic development arena.
CAMX Expo Sees Virginia Team Meet with 16-Plus Companies
VCEDA Business Development Specialists Diane Thomas and Charlotte Mullins were at CAMX – the Composites and Advanced Materials Expo – in Orlando, FL in mid-September meeting with a variety of companies as part of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDA) team. A total of 16 appointments were set and the team also dropped by to meet with three additional companies and completed a number of cold calls. CAMX is the largest, most comprehensive composites and advanced materials event in North America. Thomas and Mullins are pictured here with Amanda Cervantes, Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (Southern VA) and Mike Evranian, VEDP.
VEDA Fall Conference Held
VCEDA was pleased to be a sponsor of and in attendance at the Virginia Economic Developers Association (VEDA) fall conference in Harrisonburg, VA, in September. The conference drew economic developers from across the state and focused on trends and included a session on AI which illustrated a variety of tools useful for economic development research and planning. VCEDA Communications Coordinator Cathy St. Clair represented VCEDA at the conference.
VCEDA Sponsors, Exhibits at SVAM Expo
VCEDA attended, sponsored and exhibited at the Southwest Virginia Alliance for Manufacturing Expo at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center in Abingdon, VA. Representing VCEDA at the event were Business Development Specialists Diane Thomas and Charlotte Mullins. According to SVAM, this year’s expo set a new benchmark for regional industry engagement — drawing representatives from 30 leading manufacturing companies across the region and multiple vendors and resource providers, for a total of 160 participants. The expo, now in its 11th year, has grown into Southwest Virginia’s premier gathering for manufacturers, suppliers, and resource partners.