Governor’s Summit on Rural Prosperity Held
VCEDA was a sponsor and exhibitor at the Governor’s Summit on Rural Prosperity in Wytheville, VA in late October. The summit focused on rural develpment in the Commonwealth and included discussions on broadband development, Accelerate Southwest Virginia initiatives, attracting the next generation workforce, innovations in rural healthcare and rural energy collaboration.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin, Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade Caren Merrick, VEDP CEO Jason El Koubi and Virginia Speaker of the House Don Scott were among the featured speakers.
An update on Hurricane Helene recovery efforts was provided and a panel comprised of Del. Israel O’Quinn, Del. Jed Arnold, Sen. Travis Hackworth and Del. Terry Kilgore addressed SWVA issues. VCEDA Marketing Coordinator Susan Copeland and VCEDA Marketing Ambassador Cathy St. Clair represented VCEDA at the event.
VCEDA Attends, Exhibits at VEDA Conference
VCEDA was a sponsor of and exhibitor at the Virginia Economic Developers Association (VEDA) fall conference held in Roanoke, VA in late September. The conference explored the intersection of community and economic development through a variety of speakers. Among the topics discussed was “Mastering the Mega Trends Shaping the Next Generation of Talent;” and “Revolutionizing the Economic Fabric of Southwest Virginia with Private, Public and Philanthropic Funding.
Thursday’s conference day opened with keynote speaker Mark Perna, who spoke on how to engage with the next generation of talent including Gen Z (born between late-1990s and early-2010s) and Gen Alpha (born early 2010s to mid-2020s). His insights related to what motivates these young people, underappreciated skills they have and how to shape workforce recruitment and retention programs to match where this generation of workers are and what they value. Attendees also received a copy of his book “Answering Why: Unleashing Passion, Purpose, and Performance in Younger Generations.”
Haysi Trail Center Project Approved for Tourism Improvement Matching Funds
An up to $200,000 grant from the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) Tourism Capital Improvement Matching Fund to the Dickenson County Industrial Development Authority to be used to develop a trails center in the Town of Haysi was closed recently.
The funds, transferred from the VCEDA Dickenson County account to the tourism capital improvement matching fund will finance building construction, renovation and rehabilitation, the purchase of furniture, fixtures and equipment and other improvements related to the development of Haysi’s Russell Fork Trail Center on property owned by the Town of Haysi.
EO 2024 Rural Summit Held
VCEDA was a sponsor and featured an exhibit at EO’s 2024 Rural Summit held last week at the SWVA Higher Education Center in Abingdon, VA. Keynote addresses were given by Virginia’s First Lady Suzanne Youngkin; Jim Morris, whose life story is the inspiration behind the Walt Disney blockbuster movie, The Rookie, starring Dennis Quaid; and Dr. El Brown, distinguished author, professor and thought leader. Several workshops were also held throughout the day.
The summit focused on Early Childhood, Education, Workforce and Mental Health and was hosted by EO. A pre-event reception was hosted the night before at the EO office.
$500,000 Grant Closed for Buchanan Medical Campus Facilities Project
An up to $500,000 Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority grant to the Buchanan County Industrial Development Authority which will be used to finance utility installations on a 57-acre medical campus in the Southern Gap area of Buchanan County was closed recently.
The medical campus, being developed by Buchanan General Hospital and the Coalfields Health Foundation (CHF), is proposed to house a 61-bed assisted living facility — Heart Stone Lodge — being developed by CHF, as well as a medical clinic, a medical retail building and hotel and within 25 years, a new hospital. All of these planned facilities will need utility infrastructure, including water, sewer and electricity which currently does not exist to serve the property.
Southwest Virginia Manufacturing Awards Presented
SVAM held its annual Southwest Virginia Manufacturing Awards Banquet at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center in Abingdon in early October. The event brought together business leaders, community members, and regional partners to honor manufacturers’ hard work, innovation and dedication that continue to drive economic growth in Southwest Virginia.
Two VCEDA region companies were among the award winners at the event which showcased the critical role manufacturing plays in our communities and highlighted the achievements of companies and individuals making a significant impact in innovation, safety, environmental stewardship and community involvement.
Lawrence Brothers, Inc. of Bluefield, VA, received the Community Impact Award for its Second Chance program; and VFP, Inc., of Duffield, VA, received the Environmental Excellence Award for establishing programs like one replacing outdated lighting with LED lights and reducing energy needs by 70 percent. Angela Kindle accepted the award for Lawrence Brothers; and Bill Regert accepted for VFP. VCEDA hosted a display booth with Susan Copeland, VCEDA marketing coordinator and Diane Thomas, VCEDA business development specialist, attending the event dinner and awards ceremony.
VCEDA Represented at Startup Mountain Summit
VCEDA Marketing Ambassador Charlotte Mullins represented VCEDA at the recent Startup Mountain Summit in Johnson City, TN. Speakers in the startup industry were featured presenters on topics including investing, growing your business, how to read your customers’ minds, key ingredients to starting a company, startup legal mistakes and more. The event concluded with a business showcase and networking.
Site Selectors Guild Fall Forum Held in Michigan
VCEDA was pleased to be in attendance in late September at the Site Selectors Guild Fall Forum in Detroit, Mich. Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist was among the featured speakers. Among the topics covered during the two-day forum were Powering EV: A Look at the Future of EV Projects; Behind the Rankings: CNBC’s Top States for Business; How to Be a Best-In-Class Economic Developer; Navigating Geo-Political Risk in Foreign Direct Investment; and a Case Study: How Sustainability Fueled Eastman Chemical’s $600 Million Project in Longview, Texas. A dinner with site consultants and networking opportunities were additional features of the forum. VCEDA Business Development Specialist Diane Thomas represented VCEDA at the event.
AMLER Grant Announced for Breaks Regional Airport
VCEDA was pleased to take part in the Virginia Energy AMLER grant announcement for infrastructure funding at the Breaks Regional Airport site in early October. It’s projects like this that make our job as economic developers easier as once complete it will open up some 80 acres of land to development with airport access and four-lane roadway access via Rt. 460 and sections of the Coalfields Expressway.
Partnerships, like the ones found on this airport project, are what serve to advance development in our region. We hosted a luncheon immediately following the airport project announcement at the Southern Gap Visitor Center.
Ninth District Congressman Morgan Griffith was in attendance and spoke at both events, as did legislative aides for Del. Will Morefield and Sen. Todd Pillion.
ACI Holds Annual Awards Banquet
Talent pathways and technology in manufacturing were featured topics at the Appalachian Council for Innovation (ACI) annual awards banquet and gala held in late September at the Higher Education Center in Abingdon, VA.
Highlights of the annual event were a “State of the Region/Talent Pathways” panel discussion, moderated by Stephanie Surrett, ACI VP/Treasurer, featuring Marty Holliday, New River Mount Rogers Workforce Development; Lennie Gail Mitcham, Southwest Virginia Alliance for Manufacturing (SVAM); Rachel Patton, Southwest Virginia Workforce Development; and Cheryl Carrico, GENEDGE. Keynote speakers presenting “CTE in SWVA. Are we on the Right Track?” were William A. Austin, principal of the Wise County Career and Technical Center and Matthew Rose, dean of industrial technology at Mountain Empire Community College.
The Esther W. Bolling Lifetime Achievement Award was awarded to Marty Holliday of New River Mount Rogers Workforce Development. VCEDA Marketing Coordinator Susan Copeland attended the event.
CreatorCon Held in Wise County
VCEDA was an exhibitor and sponsor at CreaterCon held in Wise County. The conference focused on innovation and entrepreneurship in the creative economy. Among the panel sessions included tips for securing capital; tourism entrepreneurship; leveraging AI for success; and building online businesses in small towns. A special video from the FOUND series, a docuseries on the untold stories of Appalachia, was also shown. VCEDA Marketing Ambassador Charlotte Mullins represented VCEDA at the event.
Mason-Dixon Brothers LLC Approved for Seed Capital Grant
Creating a luxury primitive resort on their picturesque 87-acre rolling farm in North Tazewell was the goal Mike and Mary Blevins had as they returned to their roots, moving back to the region they grew up in from Raleigh, NC, to open the Ruakh Resort, part of their new business, Mason-Dixon Brothers LLC.
Mason-Dixon Brothers LLC is a recent recipient of a $10,000 Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) Seed Capital Matching Grant. Seed capital grants are funded from regional funds received by VCEDA which are paid by the natural gas industry.
“Mason-Dixon Brothers LLC is developing a creative tourism project offering visitors the opportunity to stay in Geodesic domes on Taylor Farm land, providing distinct visitor experiences,” said Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA executive director/general counsel. “The business projects five full-time and two part-time employees within five years.”
Seed Capital Grant Approved for Smith Property Maintenance, LLC
As Jonathan Smith opened Smith Property Maintenance, LLC, residential customers in search of someone to do small to medium remodeling and maintenance projects in Dickenson County found a place to turn to for those services.
Smith Property Maintenance, LLC is a recent recipient of a $10,000 Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) Seed Capital Matching Grant. Seed capital grants are funded from regional funds received by VCEDA which are paid by the natural gas industry.
“Smith Property Maintenance, LLC seeks to fill a need for homeowners in search of someone to make small to medium home repairs and remodels,” said Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA executive director/general counsel. “The business projects three full-time employees within five years.”
Seed Capital Grant Approved for Jordan’s Pumpkin Patch
Finding a way to share the family farm which has been a part of the Rose family since 1890, while at the same time creating a business focused on agritourism, was one of the things that led David, Kelly and Jordan Rose to start up Jordan’s Pumpkin Patch on 7498 DC Caney Ridge Road, in Coeburn. In addition to pumpkins, the new business also has plans to be known for its strawberries and Sugar Baby watermelons.
Jordan’s Pumpkin Patch is a recent recipient of a $10,000 Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) Seed Capital Matching Grant. Seed capital grants are funded from regional funds received by VCEDA which are paid by the natural gas industry.
“Jordan’s Pumpkin Patch combines agriculture and tourism to not only demonstrate the value of farming and with future plans to expand that farming, but at the same time, the pumpkin patch allows for educational trips for area school children, the community at-large and tourists in the area who might be visiting,” said Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA executive director/general counsel. “The business projects three full-time and three part-time employees within five years.”
Shortt Family Farms, LLC Approved for Seed Capital Grant
Freeze-dried fruits, vegetables, candies and herbal teas are the focus of Shortt Family Farms, LLC’s new business in Pound, VA, according to owner, Jennifer Shortt, who noted since the business – Delights by the Pound — first opened in June, the biggest product demand has been in the herbal tea line, especially for custom make-your-own blends.
Shortt Family Farms, LLC is a recent recipient of a $10,000 Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) Seed Capital Matching Grant. Seed capital grants are funded from regional funds received by VCEDA which are paid by the natural gas industry.
“Shortt Family Farms, LLC, manufactures items unique to our region as they freeze dry a variety of fruits, vegetable and tea ingredients,” said Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA executive director/general counsel. “The business projects three full-time and six part-time employees within five years.”
Seed Capital Grant Approved for Real Deal Curb Appeal, LLC
When Nick Lundy opened Real Deal Curb Appeal, LLC in Ewing VA, he found out quickly that services like those his new business offered were in demand and he knew by the response, he had made the right decision to utilize his nearly 20 years of experience to open his own business.
Since he opened, he has stayed busy scheduling out jobs for landscaping, landscape maintenance, lawn maintenance, pressure washing and soft washing. He will soon be adding exterior painting and other minor outside home repairs to his business model.
Real Deal Curb Appeal, LLC is a recent recipient of a $10,000 Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) Seed Capital Matching Grant. Seed capital grants are funded from regional funds received by VCEDA which are paid by the natural gas industry.