Economic Development 2023: JONATHAN S. BELCHER

In addition to leading the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority, Belcher has also headed up the Virginia Coalfields Expressway Authority since 2020. This year, the Virginia Department of Transportation received $7 million from the federal government, which the expressway authority will use to widen a 2-mile stretch of U.S. Route 460 in Buchanan County into a four-lane road, part of the proposed $4 billion Coalfields Expressway that would run through Southwest Virginia and southern West Virginia.

Belcher’s work with the VCEDA spurs development in the region, and last year included awarding a slew of grants to organizations such as The Napoleon Hill Foundation to assist with developing a free online course in entrepreneurial skills for high school students in the VCEDA region.

Ever since his first job as a law clerk in the York County attorney’s office, Belcher always knew he wanted to get involved in a career involving real estate, business and law. He has a law degree from William & Mary and a bachelor’s degree in real estate from Morehead State University.

HOBBY/PASSION: Working on classic cars, of which I have several that are not worth very much but are enjoyable to tinker on.

MOST VALUED POSSESSION: My 1985 Pontiac Fiero, which was also the first car I ever owned