CLINTWOOD, VA – NOVEMBER 13, 2024 – 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.”
In opening his new business, Smith said in his application for funding he was seeking to fill the void left by larger companies taking on larger projects. His new business is focused on catering to the needs of homeowners in Wise and Dickenson counties who need assistance with small to medium jobs, including bathroom and kitchen remodels, painting, floor replacement and deck building.
“We don’t want to become a big company, but we want to be able to help people who need it,” Smith said.
For years, Smith worked informally for family and friends and in 2021, he accepted a position with a local and highly reputable construction company. There, he worked under a master electrician and master plumber, who were also certified carpenters. Through that experience, he expanded his foundational knowledge and gained the experience he uses today.
The VCEDA grant is being used for tools and equipment, making construction easier and more time efficient and allowing him to offer a broader scope of services, Smith said. As the business started, potential clients responded, resulting in a waiting list extending eight months out.
“The grant has been such a blessing and a lifesaver for me,” Smith said. “I was able to buy a dump trailer and some specialty tools which have saved me and my customers both time and money.
“The mission of Smith Property Maintenance is to provide high quality construction services in a timely manner and at a fair cost,” Smith added.
Smith worked with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Mountain Empire Community College (MECC) in developing his application to VCEDA and received a letter of support from the Dickenson County Industrial Development Authority.
“Smith Property Maintenance, LLC is addressing a crucial need in Dickenson County and surrounding areas by offering timely home repairs and improvements,” said Becki O’Quinn-Purdie, SBDC director at MECC. “With local residents facing long wait times for essential repairs, this business brings much-needed relief. We were pleased to assist Mr. Smith with his funding application, as our office takes pride in helping businesses secure the resources they need to grow and support their communities.”
“The Dickenson County Industrial Development Authority is proud to partner with VCEDA and the SBDC’s to provide capital and guidance to start up small businesses in Dickenson County,” said Dickenson County Industrial Development Authority Executive Director Dana Cronkhite. “ We recognize a potential barrier is access to start-up capital and we are grateful for the VCEDA seed capital program that provides much needed financial support for businesses, such as Smith Property Maintenance, that are vital to the continued success and development of Dickenson County.”
Smith Property Maintenance, LLC may be reached by calling 276-275-3230. The business also has a page on Facebook.
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.