DUFFIELD, VA – MARCH 19, 2025 — 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 owner Freda Starnes.
J Starnes Enterprises LLC, d/b/a/ Blue Line Treats 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.
“Blue Line Treats mobile food truck meets a need in Scott and surrounding counties by providing services to benefit tourists and local residents,” said Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA executive director/general counsel. “The business projects one full-time employee and eight part-time employees within five years.”
Freda Starnes, who owns the business with her husband, J.C. Starnes and son, Tyler Starnes, noted the family’s interest in food trucks is what led them to establish the new business. The name is a tribute to the 29 years her husband spent in law enforcement, hence the “Blue Line” in the business name. The logo, created by Push the Pixels, creates what Starnes called a “fun tribute” to law enforcement by featuring a K-9 officer as the main feature of the logo and trailer design. Primarily, she said, the food truck focuses on setting up at locations in Lee, Scott and Wise counties.
“After many months of research and looking at what may be the most successful venture, we agreed upon serving premium hand-dipped ice cream, shaved ice and freshly squeezed lemonade as our primary products,” Freda Starnes said.
The business also has the equipment to offer popcorn and cotton candy. The addition of coffee, lattes and espressos, she said, creates fall and winter business opportunities as well.
The VCEDA seed capital grant is being used on the purchase of equipment to further outfit the food truck.
“It’s a great asset for us,” Starnes said of the VCEDA grant. “The food truck business is very expensive to get started in and this grant is helping us to get our legs under us and allowing us to equip the truck and advertise to make this business as successful as it can be.”
The Starnes’ worked with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Mountain Empire Community College (MECC) in developing their application to VCEDA and received a letter of support from the Scott County Economic Development Authority.
“Mountain Empire Community College’s Small Business Development Center is proud to support innovative businesses like Blue Line Treats,” said Becki O’Quinn-Purdie, MECC SBDC executive director. “With its unique concept, Blue Line Treats has introduced something fresh and exciting to the local community. The SBDC recognizes their dedication to serving and supporting the region and the VCEDA Seed Capital grant will play a vital role in helping them expand their offerings and increase their impact. We look forward to seeing the continued success of this outstanding business.”
“This new food truck business is a welcome addition to Scott County and the surrounding area,” said John Kilgore, Scott County EDA executive director. “VCEDA’s funding support will assist them in expanding their product line.”
Blue Line Treats may be found on Facebook and may be reached by calling 276-594-5421.
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.