State unveils program to aid coalfield region companies

Gov. Terry McAuliffe has announced a program aimed at helping companies in Virginia’s coalfield region market their products and services overseas.

The venture is modeled after and linked to the state’s successful Virginia Leaders in Export Trade (VALET) program.

The new program, Go Global with Coal & Energy Technology (GGCET), is a collaboration of the Governor’s Office, the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) and the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP).

“As part of my energy plan, I laid out a vision for developing a robust outreach program that facilitated access to international markets for coal supply-chain companies based in Southwest Virginia,” the governor said in a statement.  “GGCET gives these businesses in the Coalfield region an opportunity to export their expertise and products, helping them prosper and create jobs.”

“Selling into global markets strengthens Virginia companies,” Martin Briley, the president and CEO of VEDP, said in a statement.  “As more and more mining operations are conducted outside of the U.S., Virginia coal and energy technology companies have to look to international markets for growth. VEDP is eager to work with companies in the GGCET program to find new customers around the globe.”  

Each year for the next two years, up to 10 qualifying companies will ramp up their international marketing efforts through a two-year  business acceleration program. Companies will receive:

•         Up to $15,000 toward export-related expenses.
•         Strategic international business planning.
•         Professional resources through VEDP’s International Trade program partners.
•         Mining-related export seminars.
•         Participation in a Virginia booth at two international mining trade shows.

The first six companies accepted into the  GGCET program are: Ceramic Technology Inc.; Consolidated Steel Inc.; MineQuest Inc.; PBE USA; PEMCO Corp. and Simmons Equipment Co.