GATE CITY, VA – JANUARY 17, 2025 – When Leslie and Geoffrey Crawford first got the idea to renovate a 111-year-old building in downtown Gate City to create a curated venue to host events, corporate meetings and more, they did so with one thought in mind – they wanted to create a space where history meets community and in so doing, The Edison was born.
The Edison, a part of ELH Investments 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.
“The Edison creates a unique venue in downtown Gate City that will serve both the local community and those from outside the region coming in to book an event venue,” said Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA executive director/general counsel. “The business projects one full-time and one part-time employee within five years.”
“We are wrapping up the reno now,” Leslie Crawford said of the building located at 115 W Jackson Street in Gate City. The Edison is in Suite 101 of the building. Retail space is ultimately planned for the remainder of the building.
The Edison’s first event was planned for January 11 and Crawford noted that when announcing plans for the project, she had inquiries leading to the potential for 37 bookings on various dates through July 2026.
Throughout the renovation, Crawford said, efforts have been made to keep some of the history of the 13,000-square-foot building intact.
“We kept the original flooring and the tin ceilings and exposed some of the original brick,” she said. “You can see the history in the building.”
Originally, the building served the community as Sloan’s Department Store and its catch phase emphasized its general store feel: “everything from cradle to grave.”
The 2,200-square-foot event space which comprises The Edison is capable of seating up to 100 and includes a prep area available for those renting the venue and bringing in their own food or caterers to serve guests. The prep space is equipped with a microwave, sink, a refrigerator and utensils.
Crawford said she envisions The Edison being used to host events, corporate meetings, workshops, DIY classes, artisan markets, pop-up shops, photography and styled creative shoots and more.
“We truly want it to be a place where history meets community,” Crawford said. “We want to spark creativity and connection in every gathering for both locals and visitors.”
The VCEDA grant will be used to help toward the purchase of online booking software, as well as audiovisual needs, including a podium, screen, projector and sound system. Crawford said it is also likely to be used to help offset some of the renovation costs.
“It will help us to purchase those things and put us in a position to be more competitive,” Crawford said. “It enables us to provide a larger amenities list to keep people using a venue in Scott County and it opens us up to a larger audience. We want to be not just a weekend venue, but we want to be here for the community as well. The VCEDA grant gives us the opportunity to add in more than we planned originally. The grant was of paramount importance to us and is helping us to thrive. It really gave us a leg up to be well-positioned for the future.”
The Crawfords 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’s Small Business Development Center was delighted to collaborate with the Crawford family as they worked toward making their vision for The Edison a reality,” said Becki O’Quinn-Purdie, SBDC director at MECC. “Their commitment to creating a welcoming event and meeting space for the community, while also drawing visitors from the surrounding area, reflects their passion and dedication to the town of Gate City and Scott County. The Edison will serve as a beautiful event venue, enriching community gatherings and special events for years to come.”
“I welcome this new unique business to Scott County and Gate City,” said Scott County Economic Development Executive Director John Kilgore. “With the support from VCEDA, they will be able to grow exponentially.”
The Edison may be reached by calling (276)285-0268. The business also has a page on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/share/17b7ZBdCuB/?mibextid=wwXIfr, as well as a page on Instagram @book.the.edison.
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.