VCEDA Board Approves $5.26 Million for Economic Development Projects in Three Counties
Loans totaling $5.26 million for economic development projects in three counties were approved by the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) board during a meeting, September 10 in Lebanon, VA.
IWF Held in Atlanta, GA
Business Development Specialists Diane Thomas and Charlotte Mullins represented VCEDA at the 2026 International Woodworking Fair in Atlanta, GA. VCEDA had a booth at the event — North America’s largest woodworking trade show and conference. Professionals from across the global woodworking industry attended the event which showcased machinery, materials, components and design solutions. Regional economic development partners also in attendance included Tim Danielson, Tazewell County; Sabrina Stanley, Dickenson County; and John Kilgore, Scott County.
Virginia, West Virginia Officials Meet to Discuss Status of CFX in Both States
The status of the Coalfields Expressway in Virginia and West Virginia, as well as opportunities for collaboration between both states, were the topics of discussion among members of the Virginia Coalfields Expressway Authority, the Virginia Department of Transportation and the West Virginia Department of Transportation as representatives from the two states met Monday in Princeton, WV.
Also in attendance from Virginia were Virginia Del. Will Morefield and Shane Clem from the office of U.S. Sen. Mark Warner.
Belcher Named to Virginia Business Power 500 Listing
Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) Executive Director/General Counsel Jonathan Belcher has been named to the Virginia Business Power 500 listing for the fifth year in a row.
The 2026-2027 list recognizes what the magazine defines as Virginia’s most powerful and impactful leaders in business, government, non-profits and higher education. Leaders are categorized among 20 sectors, including banking, economic development, government contracting, healthcare, law and real estate.
SEDC Annual Conference Held in Florida
VCEDA Business Development Specialists Diane Thomas and Charlotte Mullins represented VCEDA at the Southern Economic Development Council (SEDC) annual conference in Florida. Local economic developers Brian Falin, Wise County; and John Kilgore, Scott County; and UVA-Wise’s Richard Johnson were also in attendance from the region. This year’s conference drew more than 700 economic development professionals from throughout the south and focused on the state of the American South and examined economic trends in the SEDC region.
AMLER Grant Provides Funds for CFX
A $1.6 million grant from Virginia Energy Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization (AMLER) Program to the Buchanan County Industrial Development Authority will provide the remaining funding needed to complete the Corridor Q / Rt 460 / CFX Paving Project, according to Virginia Coalfields Expressway Authority Executive Director Jonathan Belcher.
VEDP Group Tours Region
VCEDA was pleased to take part in a regional familiarization tour held for members of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) team, including, Joe Topham, director, business investment; Pandy Brazeau, senior business manager; Molly Olson, director; Gabby Dean, business manager; Jake Phillips, business manager; Star Cranston, business manager; and Alex Taylor, senior business manager. Jessi Fritz, senior business manager, regional talent solutions and business outreach with VEDP, who is based in the region, was also in attendance.
SVAM Manufacturing Expo Held
VCEDA was a sponsor and exhibited at the 12th annual Southwest Virginia Manufacturing Expo 2026 August 19 at the Higher Ed Center in Abingdon, VA. A record number of manufacturers attended the day-long Southwest Virginia Alliance for Manufacturing (SVAM) event that included exhibits from manufacturers and other organizations and breakout sessions on AI, new regulations governing manufacturing, ideas for optimizing warehouse operations. Marketing Coordinator Susan Copeland represented VCEDA at the event.
Solar Workgroup Meeting Held
VCEDA Business Development Specialists Charlotte Mullins and Diane Thomas represented VCEDA at the Solar Workgroup meeting in late July at the Appalachian Arts Center in Cedar Bluff. Guest speakers included Bobby “Fuzz” Johnson with HOMES, Inc., who discussed residential solar, providing some information about net-metered systems and the long term cost benefits; Austin Counts with Appalachian Voices, who provided information about how shared solar works and some of the shared solar programs currently available; and Kenny Eye with Solar United Neighbors, who provided an overview on plug-in solar, its history and how it works. VCEDA is a member of the Solar Workgroup and serves on its steering committee.
Tourism Summit Held
Business Development Specialists Diane Thomas and Charlotte Mullins represented VCEDA at the 7th annual Tourism Summit and Awards event. A number of Southwest Virginia venues received recognition for their work in the tourism economy in Southwest Virginia. The annual event is hosted by The Friends of Southwest Virginia.
$196,667 Grant Approved for MECC
An up to a $196,667 grant from the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) will be used in part to assist in the operation of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Mountain Empire Community College (MECC), as well as for workforce development and training for entrepreneurs and small business owners in the VCEDA region.
Russell Fork Trail Center Opens
The Town of Haysi has officially opened the Russell Fork Trail Center in Haysi, VA. The ribbon was cut on the 6,800-square-foot building which will serve as a center for outdoor adventure tourism and as a multi-purpose space for the local community.
VCEDA provided two grants to the project through the years, which combined totaled $350,000 used toward financing building construction, renovation and rehabilitation as well as the purchase of furniture, fixtures and equipment and other improvements related to the development of the property.
K&A Customz, LLC
Property rehabilitation, renovation through site clean-outs, debris haul-off and job site prep aimed at getting vacant housing back on the market are at the core of K&A Customz, LLC’s activities according to Kristanne Mullins, who co-operates the business with her spouse, Aaron Jacobs. The business projects four full-time employees and four part-time employees within five years.
RKB Enterprises, LLC
Reclamation, landscaping, road maintenance and more are among the services Gene Boyd is providing in Buchanan County and beyond through his new business, RKB Enterprises, LLC. The business projects two full-time employees and three part-time employees within five years.
Southern Ridge Design LLC
High-quality products featuring custom laser engraving, printing and embroidery on a wide range of items is what Zachary and Marah Culbertson offer through Southern Ridge Design LLC, their new Scott County, VA business. Personalized gifts, home décor, apparel, drinkware, signage and more are available. The business projects two full-time employees and one part-time employee within five years. development efforts. VEDA’s theme for 2026 is “Stronger Connections. Stronger Communities. Stronger Virginia.”
Redbud Creamery, LLC
Cheeses, Grade A goat yogurt and Grade A pasteurized goat milk are the primary products produced by Redbud Creamery, LLC, a small Micro Goat Dairy, owned and operated by Beth Maxfield and her husband, Steve Maxfield, in Russell County, VA. The business projects four full-time employees and three part-time employees within five years.
Big Blue Art
Making art accessible to everyone is what Bronwyn Owen said she hopes her working art studio, Big Blue Art, in Bluefield, VA is continuing to accomplish, providing opportunities for all ages to experience the arts. The business projects one full-time employee and two part-time employees within five years.
Rice Construction Services, Inc.
Residential construction, renovation and repair services are what Rice Construction Services, Inc. offers in Buchanan County and beyond, according to owner, Shannon Rice, a Virginia-licensed contractor who started the company to meet a growing demand for reliable, skilled construction services in the region. The business projects four full-time employees and two part-time employees within five years.