VCEDA Attends SelectUSA Events
VCEDA Marketing Ambassador Charlotte Mullins and VCEDA Business Development Specialist Diane Thomas attended SelectUSA Investment Summit in National Harbor, MD, May 11-14 along with Scott County Economic Development Executive Director John Kilgore. VCEDA had a booth at the event and while there, they also met with a number of companies in one-on-one appointments to talk about the benefits of locating their businesses in Southwest Virginia’s e-Region.
SWVA Economic Forum Held
VCEDA was pleased to be a sponsor of and to exhibit at the 10th annual SWVA Economic Forum in May in Wise, VA. VCEDA Business Development Specialist Diane Thomas; VCEDA Marketing Ambassador Charlotte Mullins; and VCEDA Economic Development Specialist Marketta Horton represented VCEDA at the event.
Chmura Study on VCEDA, Coal and Gas Industries Released
VCEDA and the coal and natural gas industries in Southwest Virginia continue to play a critical role in the region’s economic growth and diversification, according to a recent study released by Chmura Economics & Analytics, a Richmond, VA-based firm.
$4.4 Million in Loans and Grants approved for Projects in Four Counties
A total of $4,444,016 in new loans and grants for projects in four counties and one regional project was approved April 17 during a meeting of the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority in Lebanon, VA.
Virginia Coalfields Expressway Authority Board Meets with U.S. Sen. Mark Warner
Updates on the status of the Virginia Coalfields Expressway project and future plans were discussed April 14 during a meeting of the Virginia Coalfields Expressway Authority in St. Paul, VA at the Oxbow Center. U.S. Sen. Mark Warner was a guest at the meeting and spoke about the importance of the project and the federal support secured for the roadway to date.
MCPA Conference Held
VCEDA was pleased to attend, exhibit and speak at the Metallurgical Coal Producers Association (MCPA) annual conference and expo at Stonewall Resort in Roanoke, WV May 19 and 20.
Battlefield Tourism Project Approved
A new trails marker and monument commemorating the Civil War Battle of Jonesville will be constructed in Lee County, VA due in part to an up to $1,750 grant approved recently by the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA). The funds will be used to help finance the construction and installation of the trails marker and monument at 160 Middle School Drive (Bulldog Circle) in Jonesville.
Virginia Consultants Forum Held
VCEDA was represented at the Virginia Consultants Forum by VCEDA Marketing Ambassador Charlotte Mullins and VCEDA Business Development Specialist Diane Thomas. The event, held May 5-7 in Tysons, VA, gave Virginia economic developers an opportunity to hear from and network with leading site selection consultants.
Quarterly Local Economic Developers Meeting Held
VCEDA held its quarterly local developers meeting in St. Paul, May 9. The Russell County IDA and Tate hosted the event. The local developers meeting is designed to keep local developers in the seven coalfield counties and City of Norton apprised of VCEDA projects, to get feedback from them and to hear updates about what is going on in their counties.
$1.315 Million Loan Closed to Assist with Lawrence Brothers, Inc. Expansion
$1.315 million loan was closed recently between the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) and Lawrence Brothers, Inc., a manufacturing company in Tazewell County, to be used to assist in a company expansion which will result in the creation of several dozen new jobs.
VCEDA Exhibits at Data Center World
VCEDA was pleased to attend and exhibit at Data Center World in Washington, D.C. in mid-April. Data Center World brought together the full spectrum of decision-makers and innovators shaping the future of power in the data center landscape. While at the conference, the team met with companies in pre-set appointments to inform those who manufacture components for data centers of the advantages of Southwest Virginia’s e-Region as a manufacturing location.
$129,080 Grant Will Assist in ACI Simulated Workforce Pilot Project
An up to $129,080 grant to the Appalachian Council for Innovation from the VCEDA Coalfield Workforce Development and Training Fund to be used to implement a Simulated Workforce pilot program in the Southwest Virginia’s VCEDA region was closed recently.
Grant Will Assist with Breaks Park Waterpark Improvements
An up to $27,358 grant from VCEDA to the Breaks Interstate Park will be used in part to replaster the park’s waterpark and toward an environmental assessment report needed to access Appalachian Regional Commission funding for improvements to the Ratliff Hole River Access Area. Read more:
VCEDA Spring Conference Held
VCEDA was an exhibitor at the April 2-4, 2025 Virginia Economic Developers Association (VEDA) spring conference in Newport News, VA. VCEDA Business Development Specialist Diane Thomas and VCEDA Marketing Ambassador Charlotte Mullins represented VCEDA at the event which explored the connection of art and science to economic development.
Site Selectors Guild Conference Held
VCEDA was in attendance with members of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership at the Site Selectors Guild annual conference in Orlando, FL, March 12-14, 2025. While there, VCEDA Business Development Specialist Diane Thomas and VCEDA Marketing Ambassador Charlotte Mullins visited with a number of consultants and attended a dinner with consultants, hosted by VEDP.
$200,000 Grant to UVA Wise Foundation for Workforce Programs Approved
An up to $200,000 grant from the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) to the University of Virginia’s College at Wise Foundation, Inc., to be used for workforce development and training was closed recently.
SVAM Symposium Held
VCEDA was a bronze level sponsor of the Southwest Virginia Women in Manufacturing Symposium. While there, VCEDA representatives visited with Angel Vicars, safety manager at Komatsu Mining; and Rhonda Holt, sales manager, Samuel Pressure Vessel Group in addition to other Southwest Virginia businesses attending the event.
Outsiders Pizzeria and Bar Approved for VCEDA Seed Capital Grant
Wood-fired pizza, sandwiches and a pub will be the specialties found at Outsiders Pizzeria and Bar, a new restaurant opening at 41169 West Morgan Avenue, Pennington Gap, VA. According to owner Jonathan Lynch, the new restaurant will provide a place for locals and tourists alike to get a bite to eat, catch a game, listen to local music, or find a place to relax before and after local events.
Foam Solutions Approved for VCEDA Seed Capital Grant
Improving energy efficiency is one of the goals of Foam Solutions LLC, a spray foam insulation and coatings company which offers not only spray foam insulation, but also concrete leveling and more. Owned by Class A contractor, Amy Hubbard, the new Big Stone Gap, VA, business offers its services throughout the Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee areas.
Seed Capital Grant Approved for Blueline Treats
Twelve flavors of premium hand-dipped ice cream, shaved ice and fresh-squeezed lemonade are among the offerings found at the Blue Line Treats mobile food truck, operated by J. Starnes Enterprises LLC. Plans are to add in coffees, espressos and lattes at the Duffield VA-based business, according to Freda Starnes, one of the owners.
Seed Capital Grant Approved for The Athlete’s Bakery
Providing healthy food options to benefit athletes, spectators and the general public is the goal of The Athlete’s Bakery & Blends LLC, as Colton Mullins outfits a second food truck to be stationed at a variety of athletic events in the region. Based in Richlands, VA, the business offers nutrient-packed superfoods which are refined sugar-free and non-GMO.