VFP Inc. to Expand Scott County Manufacturing Facility
VCEDA issued its congratulations to VFP Inc. on yet another expansion of its manufacturing operation in Scott County which was announced by the governor’s office on September 23.
VCEDA previously approved a $100,000 grant for workforce development to assist VFP with expansion which will be used on this project.
VCEDA Attends, Exhibits at IMTS
VCEDA was pleased to attend and to exhibit at the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) in Chicago, Ill., earlier this month.
IMTS is the largest trade show in the Western Hemisphere. It draws innovators, sellers and drivers of manufacturing technology together to connect, be inspired and find new solutions. While there, the VCEDA and Tazewell County team also met with companies in pre-set appointments to discuss the advantages of location in the e-Region.
Loans, Grants Approved at VCEDA Meeting
An up to $4 million loan to the Russell County Industrial Development Authority to be used for a confidential project yet to be announced in that county was approved by the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) board during a meeting in Lebanon, September 19.
New projects were also approved for funding in Lee County, Tazewell County and at the Breaks Interstate Park, as well as for three regional workforce training projects.
VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel Jonathan Belcher provided a brief overview of current work underway by VCEDA staff, noting staff is currently working around 27 active projects with the most activity in manufacturing and seed capital.
He noted that in 2024 year-to-date, VCEDA has attended 21 outreach marketing events throughout the United States.
SVAM Expo 2024 Held
VCEDA was pleased to be a sponsor of and exhibitor at the recent Southwest Virginia Alliance for Manufacturers’ Expo 2024, held on August 29 at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center in Abingdon. The event brought together the best and brightest of the region’s manufacturing industry and provided an opportunity for participants to network, as well as to celebrate collaboration, innovation and opportunity. In addition, attendees had the chance to participate in several educational breakout sessions led by industry experts
Governor Helps Cut Ribbon at New CNX Resources VA Headquarters
VCEDA was pleased to take part in the ribbon cutting with Gov. Glenn Youngkin September13 at the CNX Resources new regional headquarters office in Richlands, VA.
VCEDA extended its congratulations to CNX Resources, Tazewell County and the Town of Richlands on the expansion of the company’s Virginia regional headquarters to the Town of Richlands.
VCEDA worked with the company, locality and state on the project, including a $900,000 loan approved by VCEDA to the Tazewell County Industrial Development Authority to assist with the real estate improvements
Governor Helps Cut Ribbon at Tate
VCEDA was in attendance September 13 at the ribbon cutting for Tate in St. Paul, VA. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin joined Delegates Terry Kilgore and Israel O’Quinn, along with Tate officials and employees for the celebration. VCEDA was pleased to play a part in helping to recruit Tate, a global provider focused on the research, development and manufacturing of next-generation raised access floors, airflow management and infrastructure solutions for commercial and data center applications to St. Paul. When the project was first announced, it was noted Tate would invest $14.9 million to establish the new manufacturing facility in Russell County.
The plant primarily focuses on data center component manufacturing and containment products to serve customers in Virginia and other data center sites. Virginia successfully competed with numerous states for the project, which is projected to create 170 new jobs.
VCEDA’s investment in the project began in 2020 when VCEDA provided the IDA with $2.5 million in financing that enabled the IDA to acquire the building in St. Paul now occupied by the company. VCEDA also approved $250,000 in workforce development and training funds for the company.
Jones-Hurst Designs, LLC Approved for VCEDA Seed Capital Grant
For Adam Patterson, fashion design has been a way of life and a way to make a living, but now, translating those designs into custom clothing using his own patterns and manufacturing it here in Southwest Virginia is his goal through Jones-Hurst Designs, LLC in Big Stone Gap, VA. Patterson’s vision is “to redefine the way Southwest Virginia experiences fashion by offering accessible, customizable designs that celebrate individual expressions and creativity.”
Jones-Hurst Designs, 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.
Seed Capital Grant Approved for Shaka Latte, LLC
When Ellie McGlothlin opened her new small business — Shaka Latte, LLC, a mobile coffee business based in Lebanon, VA — she had one simple goal in mind: to create a shop with “world class coffee to go.” The mobile shop is now set up weekly at the Lebanon Farmer’s Market and posts its schedule of other locations on its Facebook page.
Shaka Latte, 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.
Belcher Named To Virginia Business Power 500 List
Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) Executive Director/General Counsel Jonathan Belcher has been named to the Virginia Business Power 500 listing for the third year in a row.
The 2024-2025 list recognizes what the magazine defines as Virginia’s most powerful leaders across 21 sectors ranging from real estate and manufacturing to higher education and federal contracting.
Southwest Virginia honorees in addition to Belcher in this year’s edition include Donna Henry, Elizabeth McClanahan, Jim McGlothlin, Will Payne, Clyde Stacy and Allie Evangelista.
Belcher’s work in economic development was recognized by the magazine, which also took note of his leadership as executive director of the Virginia Coalfields Expressway Authority. Belcher became executive director of VCEDA in 2006 and was named executive director of the Virginia Coalfields Expressway Authority in 2020.
Bird Dog Distributors, LLC Receives $525,000 to Expand Plastics Manufacturing Facility in Southwest VA
VCEDA congratulates Bird Dog Distributors on its expansion in Dickenson County and being awarded the AMLER grant. VCEDA has had the pleasure of working with the company since it first located in Dickenson County many years ago and was approved for a loan from VCEDA at that time in partnership with the Dickenson County Industrial Development Authority. VCEDA offered some brief remarks at the announcement event.
A total of 43 new jobs are projected.
VCEDA Board Member Orientation Held
New and existing members of the VCEDA board took part in an orientation meeting in late August at the VCEDA Office. Russell County Deputy Circuit Court Clerk Carlee Horton administered the oath of office to new and returning members of the board.
VCEDA Board Chairman J.P. Richardson and VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel Jonathan Belcher welcomed new and returning members to the orientation session.
Belcher introduced members of the VCEDA staff and provided an overview of VCEDA, including the statute creating the authority, its bylaws, project policies, the FY25 business development plan and the FY25 marketing calendar. He also provided board members with Freedom of Information and local government conflicts of interest training. A reception followed the meeting.
VEDP Tours Southwest Virginia’s e-Region
VCEDA was pleased to welcome members of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership to Southwest Virginia in late August to familiarize them with Southwest Virginia’s e-Region.
Among those on the tour which covered various locations in Russell, Tazewell, Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee, Scott, Wise and the city of Norton were John Loftus, director of real estate; Chase Seegar, senior analyst, real estate solution team; Micah Kemp, business manager, business investment; Star Cranston, business manager, business investment; and Jo-Elsa Jordan, business manager, strategic projects & lead generation.
VCEDA staff taking part in the tours and meetings with local economic developers were Susan Copeland, Marketta Horton, Diane Thomas, Charlotte Mullins and VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel Jonathan Belcher.
Seed Capital Grant Approved for The Roasted Bean of Virginia, LLC
For the owners of The Roasted Bean of Virginia, LLC, the coffee shop business Larry and Donna Kinzer opened in downtown Bluefield, VA, is about more than just providing a welcoming environment and cultivating coffee enthusiasts of all ages. Every sip, they said, tells a unique story and the high-quality products and caring customer service they provide are hallmarks of the new business as they seek to draw people to downtown Bluefield to share in a deep feeling of community.
The Roasted Bean of Virginia, LLC was 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.
Local Developers Meeting Held
We held our local developers meeting recently in Lee County. The meetings give the economic developers in our VCEDA member counties the opportunity to provide updates about projects in their counties as well as time to discuss shared regional initiatives to market VCEDA’s Southwest Virginia e-Region.
