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Check out a new video about Virginia's e-Region by clicking on the graphic above.
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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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Attending the Executive Advisory Board meeting, from left, Dan Smith, Vice Chairman of the advisory board; Linwood Holton; Tommy Hudson, Chairman of the advisory board; Jim Martin; Mike King; Mark Dempsey; Mary Rae Carter, Virginia Deputy Secretary of Commerce and Trade for Rural Economic Development; Ford Quillen; Jay Rife, member VCEDA Board of Directors; Martin Kent, Chief of Staff of Governor Bob McDonnell's office; Don Green; and Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA Executive Director. |
VCEDA Executive Advisory Board holds annual meeting June 27 in Lebanon
The Executive Advisory Board of the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority held its annual meeting June 27 in Lebanon. Tommy Hudson, chairman of the advisory board, said that "the need has never been greater to work together to continue economic growth in the region."
Hudson, president of the Virginia Coal Association, told the group of state leaders and business executives it is important for others to know what an impact an organization like VCEDA has had and continues to contribute to the seven county, one city coalfield region of the state. The total annual economic impact of VCEDA in Southwest Virginia is estimated to be $4.4 billion that supported 27,787 jobs in 2011, according to Dr. Christine Chmura, president of Chmura Economics & Analytics, who presented the findings of a study requested by the Virginia Coal Association on the economic impact of the coal industry and VCEDA in Virginia.
According to Chmura, VCEDA has made strong contributions to diversifying and growing the VCEDA region's economy, and also has helped reduce the unemployment rate of the region. Chmura also said the total annual economic impact of VCEDA in Virginia is estimated to be $5.5 billion that supported 34,987 jobs in the state in 2011.
Martin Kent, Chief of Staff for Governor Bob McDonnell, was the keynote speaker. Mary Rae Carter, Deputy Secretary of Commerce & Trade for Rural Economic Development, also attended the meeting. For more details, click here |
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VCEDA attends East Coast Sawmill and Logging Equipment Exposition
VCEDA led a team to the East Coast Sawmill and Logging Equipment Exposition in Richmond, Va., May 17-18.  In addition to manning the Virginia's e-Region exhibit booth, the team walked the exhibit floor and met with 43 companies in pre-arranged meetings to discuss the advantages of doing business in Virginia's e-Region. In photo, from left, are Margie Douglass, Tazewell County; Jean Jordan, VCEDA; Charlotte Mullins, Dickenson County; Yvonne and Harry Rutherford, Russell County; Carl Snodgrass, Wise County; and Donnie Rife, Dickenson County and VCEDA board member. |
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Breaks Interstate Park aquatic park opens
Breaks Interstate Park opened its new aquatics facility Splash in the Park in June. VCEDA approved up to $1 million in grant funds to assist with the development of an aquatics facility at Breaks Interstate Park with a potential 60-90 job economc impact. The 4,000-square-foot, beach entry pool includes a current channel, four waterslides, and many other features. For more information, click here. |
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President of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership visits
Martin Briley, President & CEO of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, and several VEDP staff members joined Lee County and other regional officials on Aug. 2 at the Lee County Airport terminal dedication ceremony and an open house at the Constitutional Oaks shell building.
In the photo above, from left, front row, John Mazza Jr., Chairman, Virginia Aviation Board; Katherine Goodwin, VEDP; Tracy Tynan, VEDP; Delegate Terry Kilgore; Michelle Poe, VEDP; Martin Briley, President & CEO, VEDP; Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA Executive Director; and Joe Gillespie, VEDP. Back row, Randall Burdette, Director, Virginia Department of Aviation; Senator Charles W. Carrico Sr.; Warren Hammer, VEDP; Vince Barnett, VEDP; John Elink-Schuurman, VEDP; Michael James, Lee County Economic Development Director; and Keith Boswell, VEDP. |
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New video on Virginia's e-Region
Just released is a new video featuring several of the region's business leaders telling what it's like to operate successfully in Virginia's e-Region, and the role VCEDA plays in diversifying the region's economy and helping to bring and keep jobs here. Check out the video on the VCEDA website.
Click here. Or on the graphic.
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e-Region news briefs...
Construction is progressing on a new 54-room Sleep Inn hotel in the town of Clintwood in Dickenson County. VCEDA approved up to a $3.625 million loan to the Industrial Development Authority of Dickenson County to assist on the project. The hotel, which is located near the Ralph Stanley Museum and Traditional Mountain Music Center in Clintwood, is expected to open later this year.
VCEDA exhibited at and attended the Russell County Business Showcase May 16 at the Russell County Government Center in Lebanon. Marketta Horton, economic development specialist for VCEDA, participated in the event. Susan Copeland, business development and public relations coordinator for VCEDA, represented the organization at the June 6 Business Appreciation luncheon sponsored by the Scott County Economic Development Authority at Natural Tunnel State Park.
The VCEDA Board of Directors held a board meeting June 29. |
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