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All in good time
For decades, the promise of economic revitalization has tantalized Southwest Virginia. The sparsely populated region, once home to booming coal mining and tobacco industries, has had money and resources thrown at it by local, state and federal governments, but it’s still had a difficult time finding its footing. As the region’s economy has declined, so […]
VCEDA seed grants sow small business growth
Adam Patterson knew if his fashion design company was going to thrive in his hometown of Big Stone Gap, he needed capital — and a new sewing machine. “Mine was so old, it sewed crooked stitches,” says Patterson, founder of Jones-Hurst Designs. Patterson received a $10,000 grant in September from a Virginia Coalfield Economic Development […]
U.S. 460 cell towers signal relief to businesses
Buchanan and Tazewell counties’ businesses will soon receive a needed signal boost, thanks to six cell towers under construction across the Route 460 corridor. The towers will increase wireless access along 20 miles of U.S. 460, from Red Ash in Tazewell to Vansant in Buchanan. It’s not a moment too soon, according to businesses that […]
Simmons Equipment announces $8.5M expansion into Russell County
Simmons Equipment, a specialty mining equipment manufacturer based in Tazewell County, plans to expand into neighboring Russell County, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Monday. The company expects to invest $8.5 million into converting two buildings in Lebanon, an investment set to create 75 jobs, the governor’s office said. Founded in Tazewell in 2005, Simmons produces soft […]
$14.9M manufacturing facility coming to Russell County
Tate, a data center supplier, will invest $14.9 million to establish a new manufacturing facility in Russell County, creating 170 jobs, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Thursday. The new plant will focus primarily on data center component manufacturing and containment products to serve clients in Virginia and other data center sites. “I’m proud that the commonwealth […]
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 […]
Filling in
Industrial real estate is a hot commodity in Southwest Virginia. “It’s hard to find available space of anything that’s above 15,000 to 20,000 square feet,” says Jonathan Belcher, executive director of the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA), which represents Lee, Wise, Scott, Buchanan, Russell, Tazewell and Dickenson counties and the city of Norton. Leaders [&[...]
NJ resin/vinyl manufacturer to invest $13.5M in Tazewell
New Jersey-based custom resin and vinyl manufacturer Ronald Mark Associates Inc. will invest $13.5 million to establish a manufacturing operation in Tazewell County, a project expected to create 29 jobs, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Thursday. The company will occupy the former Komatsu Mining Corp. facility at 1081 Hockman Pike in Bluefield. “Ronald Mark Associates’ decision […]
Wise County IDA buys vacant office building for $1.2M
The Wise County Industrial Development Authority purchased a vacant office building in the Lonesome Pine Regional Business and Technology Park with a $1.2 million loan from the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority, officials announced Wednesday. The 10,000-square-foot building sits on approximately 4.63 acres at 5957 Windswept Blvd. and came furnished. The building is adjacent to [&he[...]
Coalfields Expressway: Mostly unfinished and unfunded
Progress on a proposed 115-mile federal highway to improve transportation connectivity between Southwest Virginia, West Virginia, Tennessee and Kentucky has been crawling in the commonwealth. Authorized by Congress in 1995, the Coalfields Expressway (CFX) — U.S. Route 121 — would run from U.S. Route 23 in Pound to Interstates 64 and 77 in West […]
Coalfield Expressway could have $12.8B impact, study says
The cumulative economic impact of the Coalfields Expressway (CFX) during a 50-year span is estimated to be $12.8 billion in 2021 dollars, according to a study by Richmond-based Chmura Economics & Analytics presented Tuesday. The CFX is a proposed limited-access highway that would run through Southwest Virginia and southern West Virginia. It is designated as […]
Roanoke biz to create 30 jobs in Scott County
Roanoke-based VFP Inc. will invest $7.2 million to expand in Scott County, creating 30 jobs, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Monday. The expansion will allow VFP to produce larger concrete shelters. “Great workers live in Southwest Virginia, and companies like VFP recognize that,” Northam said in a statement. “Virginia is advancing manufacturing across the commonwealth, and […]
