PENNINGTON GAP, VA – SEPTEMBER 30, 2026 – From glowing mini-golf to action-packed laser tag, Appalachian Asenso, LLC in Pennington Gap, VA, offers a number of options to those looking for fun family activities in the region. Dillon and Irene Roberts developed the new business to provide a “brighter way to play,” utilizing blacklight technologies and targets in the indoor entertainment arena.
Appalachian Asenso, 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.
“Appalachian Asenso, LLC, provides some unique play activities for tourists and locals alike, adding to recreation offerings in the tourism sector of the Lee County economy,” said Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA executive director/general counsel. “The business projects two full-time employees and three part-time employees within five years.”
Located at 282 Westgate Mall Circle, Suite 104 in Pennington Gap, VA, Appalachian Asenso is open Sundays, 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Mondays, 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Wednesday-Friday, 3 to 8 p.m.; and Saturdays, 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. The business is closed on Tuesdays, but available for private bookings like group outings and birthday parties, which are also available for booking outside of posted hours.
In coming up with the name for the new business, Dillon Roberts noted he is from the Appalachian region and his wife is from the Philippines. In her language, he said the word “Asenso” means
“winning” or “rising.” Combining the two, the Appalachian Asenso name was chosen.
“While Southwest Virginia offers strong outdoor recreation, there are limited indoor options, providing consistent access regardless of weather, season or time of day,” Roberts said. “Appalachian Asenso was established to address this clear gap in the region – safe, affordable and year-round recreational opportunities for families, children and visitors.
“We didn’t set out to just build an indoor mini golf and laser tag arena,” Roberts added. “We wanted to build a place where families can compete; kids can feel confident; parents can act like kids again; friends can challenge each other and churches, teams and coworkers can battle it out in some healthy competition.”
The mini golf course offers 18-holes of glowing mini golf; while the laser tag offers blacklight targets and team play. All are in an indoor arena that works in any weather. A live scoreboard was recently added to the laser tag arena which allows scoring to be projected on the ceiling during an ongoing game.
“There’s no more wondering who’s in the lead or waiting until the game ends to find out—you can simply look up and watch the score update in real time,” Roberts noted.
Future plans for the venue include to possibly add a karaoke lounge to be available for get togethers.
The VCEDA grant is being used to continue to enhance new entertainment offerings at the business and for signage.
“The VCEDA grant meant a lot to us,” Roberts said. “It gave us some additional confidence in what we are doing and confidence is contagious and leads to great things.”
The Roberts’ worked with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Moutain Empire Community College (MECC) in developing their application to VCEDA. They received a letter of support from the Lee County Economic Development Authority (EDA).
“Appalachian Asenso is bringing affordable entertainment where people of all ages can come together to have fun,” said MECC SBDC Executive Director Becki O’Quinn-Purdie. “The owners have created more than a business; they have created a place where families, friends, school groups and visitors can enjoy quality time together in a safe and welcoming environment. MECC SBDC was proud to work alongside Appalachian Asenso as they developed their vision and this VCEDA Seed Capital award will help them continue expanding entertainment opportunities that enhance the quality of life throughout Southwest Virginia.”
“The Lee County Economic Development Authority is proud to celebrate Appalachian Asenso, LLC as a recipient of the VCEDA Seed Capital Grant,” said Lee County EDA Chairman Greg Edwards. “This investment reflects our continued commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and strengthening the local economy in Lee County. We look forward to supporting Appalachian Asenso LLC as it grows and contributes to our community and economic future.”
For more information about Appalachian Asenso, LLC, interested persons may call 276-345-3563; visit their website at www.appalachianasenso.com or visit their Facebook page.
About Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority and Southwest Virginia’s e-Region: The Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority, created by the Virginia General Assembly in 1988 to enhance and diversify the region’s economy and help create jobs, markets Southwest Virginia’s e-Region and its focus on electronic information technology, energy, education, emerging technologies, and entrepreneurship. VCEDA is a unique economic development organization that manages funds for economic development projects from a percentage of the coal and natural gas severance taxes paid by coal and natural gas companies that operate in the region. Located in southwestern Virginia, the region includes Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Tazewell, and Wise counties and the City of Norton. www.vceda.us or www.e-Region.org.
About the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority Seed Capital Matching Grant Fund: VCEDA region for-profit businesses, within qualifying business categories, one year and under with less than 10 full-time employees are eligible to apply for dollar-for-dollar matching grants up to $10,000 from the VCEDA Seed Capital Matching Fund. Applicants work with the Small Business Development Centers at Mountain Empire and Southwest Virginia community colleges to prepare the applications to VCEDA that include detailed business and financial plans. Businesses must be located in or plan to operate in the VCEDA region in southwestern Virginia that includes Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Tazewell, and Wise counties and the City of Norton.
(PHOTO CAPTION: Dillon and Irene Roberts opened Appalachian Asenso, LLC in Pennington Gap, VA to provide indoor mini golf and laser tag opportunities in the community. Appalachian Asenso, LLC is a recent recipient of a $10,000 VCEDA Seed Capital Matching Grant.)