2025 Annual Report Filed with State
Fifty-nine loans and grants totaling $18,759,753 in new funding for projects in the seven-county, one-city region Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) region were approved by the VCEDA board in 2025. The projects are expected to help create and retain 584 full-time and 124 part-time jobs and generate $180,214,443 in private investment, marking one of the highest funding years in VCEDA’s history.
Those statistics and more are found in the VCEDA 2025 Annual Report filed Monday with Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger and the Virginia General Assembly.
VCEDA Closes Workforce Development Grant for VFP, Inc.
An up to $312,500 grant for workforce development and training from the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) Coalfield Jobs Investment Project to assist with a VFP, Inc., expansion in Scott County, VA, was closed recently. The overall expansion project, which is estimated at $35 million, is being primarily funded by the company using conventional financing methods. It was formally announced by the governor’s office last October.
Virginia CFX Authority Board Prepares to File for Two Federal Grants Related to CFX Projects
The Virginia Coalfields Expressway (CFX) Authority is finalizing documents to apply for two federal U.S. Department of Transportation Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grants totaling some $30.5 million.
PowerGen Held in Texas
VCEDA Business Development Specialists Charlotte Mullins and Diane Thomas, along with Wise County IDA officials Natalie Chapman and Brian Falin were in San Antonio, TX representing the region at PowerGen, January 20-22, 2026. POWERGEN is the premier networking and business hub for power generation professionals and solution providers. The conference draws power producers, utilities, OEMs and large-scale energy users from around the world. The conference looks at the future of power generation and includes focus on what its website references as “The Total Energy Mix: Powering the Future, ensuring that all energy sources are considered in the journey toward sustainability.
Virginia CFX Project Gets $3 Million in Federal Funding
The federal Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026 signed into law February 3 by President Donald Trump includes funding in the amount of $3 million for the Virginia Coalfields Expressway in Southwest Virginia.
CGI Bridge2AI Program Kicks Off
VCEDA Business Development Specialists Charlotte Mullins and Diane Thomas were in attendance in mid-January at the CGI Bridge2AI (artificial intelligence) program kick-off. The program, a collaborative one with James Madison University, is designed to help participants transition into technology and AI-related careers providing education, training, mentorship and professional networking opportunities. VCEDA was one of the supporting organizations recognized as were EO, Southwest Virginia Workforce Development Career Works, Virginia Economic Development Partnership, the Russell County Industrial Development Authority and the Shenandoah Valley Technology Council.
Road to Richmond Legislative Breakfast Held in Bristol
VCEDA was pleased to be in attendance January 7 at the third annual Road to Richmond legislative breakfast in Bristol, VA. The annual event gave attendees an opportunity to hear from Southwest legislators about the upcoming General Assembly session and to ask questions about topics of interest. Larry Roberts served as moderator of the panel discussion. From left are Sen. Travis Hackworth, Del. Israel O’Quinn, Del. Mitchell Cornett, Sen. Todd Pillion, Del. Terry Kilgore and Del. Will Morefield. Attendees also heard a presentation related to the Virginia Chamber’s Blueprint Virginia plan; and from Bob Holsworth, of DecideSmart, who gave an analysis of the election and important issues to Southwest Virginia and the state as a whole as the new officials take office.
CFX Authority Annual Report Filed with State
2025 was a year of progress for the Coalfields Expressway in Virginia, as an additional 2.74 miles of the expressway (U.S. 121) was officially opened for travel by the public in October, according to the 2025 Annual Report of the Virginia Coalfields Expressway (CFX) Authority submitted to the governor and the General Assembly in late December 2025.
Grant Will Assist with Small Developer Workshop Focused on Housing
An up to $29,500 grant to be used to help pay for a Small Developer Workshop to assist with regional capacity-building training in workforce housing in the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) region was closed recently between VCEDA and the Dickenson County Industrial Development Authority. The training workshops – aimed at public officials and public employees — will be held on the campuses of Mountain Empire Community College and Southwest Virginia Community College. While specific dates have not yet been set, it is expected the workshops will be held in late April or early May 2026.
VCEDA Sponsors Virginia Chamber of Commerce Day Events
VCEDA was pleased to be a bronze level sponsor of the Virginia Chamber of Commerce Day at the Capitol events and Old Dominion Legislative reception held February 3. VCEDA Communications Coordinator Cathy St. Clair represented VCEDA at the event held in Richmond, VA. Featured speakers included Virginia House of Delegates Minority Leader Terry Kilgore; Virginia Senate Minority Leader Ryan McDougle; Virginia Lt. Gov. Ghazala Hashmi; and Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade Carrie Chenery (pictured). While there, it was good to make connections with several businesses with operations in the region, including CGI which has a location in Lebanon, VA; and various chambers of commerce in our region and beyond.
VCEDA Serves on Virginia Solar Workgroup Steering Committee
VCEDA is honored to serve on the steering committee for the Southwest Virginia Solar Workgroup (SWG). VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel Jonathan Belcher is a member of the planning team subcommittee which focuses on details for events, specific tasks and other short-term and long-term goal expectations for the Solar Workgroup steering committee. He has been a member of the steering committee since October 2025.
Seed Capital Grant Approved for Ryhthmic Restorations, LLC
What all started when a fellow band member gave Christopher Blankenship a box of parts leading him to build a guitar for his son, turned into a hobby and he began ordering more parts and turning out custom guitars. It came full circle recently when Blankenship and his wife, Whitney, turned his hobby into a new business, officially opening Rhythmic Restorations, LLC at 2200 Front Street, Suite A in Richlands, VA.
Price Land Solutions Approved for Seed Capital Grant
A variety of services from stump removal, brush cutting and septic installation to mowing, debris removal and grading and excavation are offered in the region by Price Land Solutions in Wise County, VA, but owner Robert Price offers an expanded service giving potential customers the opportunity to see what their proposed finished project will look like in advance. Price uses AI (artificial intelligence) to show prospective customers before and after picture comparisons of the work they are considering and also utilizes AI to develop accurate cost estimates of the work to be done.
Bus Stop Artisan Market and Workshop Approved for Seed Capital Grant
Creating a regional hub for area artisans to reach local residents and visitors alike is the goal Deborah and Ryan Adams had as they opened the Bus Stop Artisan Market and Workshop in Big Stone Gap, VA. Now, several months later, the Bus Stop location at 18 East 5th Street, South has 32 vendors and the Adamses are working to further expand the space to accommodate up to 36.