VCEDA Ad
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VCEDA ran this ad in the Site Selection Guide issue of Virginia Business magazine. Click here to see the ad and advertorial on Virginia's e-Region on Pages 16-17. |
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Welcome to Virginia's e-Region
We hope you enjoy our electronic newsletter giving you news and business development updates from the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority. Don't forget to sign up to be included on our mailing list! |
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VCEDA approves funding for a variety of projects, including new industrial park
At its Sept. 2 meeting, the VCEDA Board of Directors approved funding requests for a new industrial park, equipment for an energy research center, and a feasibility study for a dental school.
The VCEDA board approved a request from the Dickenson County Industrial Development Authority (IDA) for a loan of up to $147,000 to be used toward the purchase of real estate for the development of the Coalfield Regional Industrial Park in the Red Onion area of Dickenson County.
VCEDA approved a request from the Wise County IDA for a loan of up to $505,000 to be used to pay toward the purchase of equipment for the Appalachia America Energy Research Center in the Lonesome Pine Business and Technology Park. In 2008, VCEDA approved a $1,045,000 grant and a $955,000 loan to the Wise County IDA to assist with the construction of the center.
The VCEDA board also approved a request from the Wise County IDA for a grant of up to $325,000 for obtaining and developing a feasibility and economic impact study for a school of dentistry in Wise County.
For more details, click here. |
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VCEDA and local economic developers represent region at COVITS
Aneesh Chopra, the nation's Chief Technology Officer, visits with the Virginia's e-Region delegation at COVITS. From left are, Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA; John Kilgore, Scott County; Aneesh Chopra; Margie Douglass, Tazewell County; and Yvonne and Harry Rutherford, Russell County. |
VCEDA and economic development allies from Virginia's e-Region attended COVITS (the Commonwealth of Virginia's Innovative Technology Symposium) Sept. 7-8 in Richmond. Aneesh Chopra, Virginia's former Secretary of Technology, now the nation's Chief Technology Officer, visited with the Virginia's e-Region delegation at the conference. At this conference, the delegation spoke with businesses and attendees about opportunities in Virginia's e-Region.
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VCEDA, local economic developers represent region at IWF in Atlanta
VCEDA led a team of economic development allies to Atlanta Aug. 25-28 to promote Virginia's e-Region as a business location at the International Woodworking Fair 2010 trade show.
Representing Virginia's e-Region at IWF are, from left, John Kilgore, Scott County; Charlotte Mullins, Dickenson County; Susan Copeland, VCEDA; Carl Snodgrass, Wise County; and Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA. Attending but not pictured are Tim Long, Lee County, and Craig Horn, Buchanan County. |
In addition to manning the e-Region exhibit booth, the team spoke with attendees to discuss advantages of locating in the region. One of the key visual components of the booth for this show was an enlarged, poster-sized ad that VCEDA had placed in Cabinetmaker magazine. The ad featured a ready-to-go woodworking operation, including building and equipment. The ad attracted attention at the trade show and resulted in a number of leads.
Click here to see the ad in Cabinetmaker magazine. |
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Lee County call center to add 50 new jobs
Congressman Rick Boucher announced on Aug. 23 that the KCG Call Center in Pennington Gap would hire 50 employees, bringing the Lee County facility's
Congressman Rick Boucher announces 50 new jobs at KCG Call Center on Aug. 23. In photo are, from left, Sen. William Wampler, Del. Terry Kilgore, Congressman Boucher, George Cridlin, VCEDA Chairman, and Kathy Kavanaugh, KCG Call Center Director. | employment to more than 250. KCG has received a new contract with Macy's, Inc. to handle credit card activations and customer service. KCG Call Centers came to the e-Region in 2005 as part of Congressman Rick Boucher's Showcasing Southwest Virginia program. The company located in a mini-mall at Pennington Gap, and in 2007, the company relocated to a larger facility at the Patriot Center, a property owned and renovated by the Lee County Industrial Development Authority. VCEDA provided $500,000 in funds to the IDA to help renovate the Patriot Center for KCG. In February 2009, VCEDA approved a loan of up to $240,455 to KCG for an expansion that will allow the center's employment to grow to 300 within five years.
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Energy research center holds ribbon cutting at new facility in Wise County
VCEDA Vice
VCEDA Vice Chairman Donald Baker, right, helps with the ribbon cutting for the AAERC. From left, Kenny Gilley, Wise County IDA Chairman; Del. Bud Phillips; Former Sen. George Allen; Terry McAuliffe; Del. Will Morefield; Sen. Phillip Puckett; and Donald Baker. | Chairman Donald Baker joined Wise County officials, former Sen. George Allen, state representatives and others on Aug. 25 to officially open the Appalachia America Energy Research Center located in the Lonesome Pine Business and Technology Park in Wise. At its Nov. 20, 2008 meeting, the VCEDA board approved up to a $1,045,000 grant and a $955,000 loan for the research and development facility with an emphasis on energy-affiliated initiatives. The Wise County IDA, which received $5 million in funding for the project from the Virginia Tobacco Commission, constructed the multi-tenant facility. The new center is designed to provide research space and an atmosphere for collaboration between the public and private sector, specifically in the arena of clean coal technology and alternative fuels. At its Sept. 2, 2010 meeting, VCEDA approved up to a $505,000 loan for equipment for the facility.
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VCEDA hosts regional meeting, tour
 VCEDA held a regional/local developers' meeting Aug. 9 at the University of Virginia's College at Wise. Special guests included Mary Rae Carter, Deputy Secretary of Commerce and Trade for Rural Economic Development; Jimmy Rhee, Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Trade; Jeff Anderson, Executive Director of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership; and Karen Jackson, Deputy Secretary of Technology. After the meeting, the secretaries toured (Aug. 9-10) several counties in the region and visited the Ralph Stanley Museum and Breaks Interstate Park. |
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VCEDA honors existing businesses
VCEDA honored more than 30 existing businesses in the region at a Business Appreciation Ceremony on May 20 following a regular board meeting. The week of May 17 was declared by the Commonwealth of Virginia to be Business Appreciation Week, and VCEDA presented awards to various businesses throughout the region that have had a strong impact on the regional economy and which VCEDA has assisted. |
For more details, click here. |
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e-Region news briefs...
Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade Jim Cheng, Secretary of Technology Jim Duffey and key members of their staffs toured the VCEDA region June 2-3. The group made stops at the University of Virginia's College at Wise and the Southwest Virginia Technology Development Center. VCEDA staff attended both events and presented information on regional economic development.
On June 28, Virginia Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling toured the region and discussed economic development with regional allies. He praised VCEDA as a model for regional economic development.
VCEDA helped accept an award for the DirecTV project at the June 17 Southwestern Virginia Technology Council awards banquet. VCEDA exhibited and was a sponsor for the annual event. VCEDA, along with Congressman Boucher's office, accepted an award on behalf of DirecTV for the company's virtual call center project. DirecTV had extended nearly 70 job offers to residents in the e-Region as of June 17. DirecTV came to the area as part of Congressman Rick Boucher's Showcasing Southwest Virginia program.
VCEDA and economic development allies will be exhibitors at FABTECH in Atlanta Nov. 2-4. Come visit us at Booth #915. FABTECH is the largest metal forming, fabricating, welding and metal finishing trade show in North America. |
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