Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority

10/17/2026

VCEDA, one of the LEAD SWVA program sponsors, was pleased to host the current LEAD SWV cohort in Lebanon, VA last week. VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel Jonathan Belcher provided an overview of VCEDA and its history and impact in the region. Case studies of some of the projects funded by VCEDA in the past were also part of the discussion.

Later in the day, the group traveled back to St. Paul for a grant workshop, a NuScale Simulation Lab exercise and a tour of St. Paul focused on downtown and community development efforts. Dinner followed at the Western Front Hotel.
The following day, a discussion on demographic trends and what the data indicates about the changing communities of Southwest Virginia was held and then participants were invided to attend the ongoing Blue Highway Fest ongoing in Wise.

10/16/2026

VCEDA was in attendance at the EO Year in Review meeting and luncheon, October 1 at the EO Center in Abingdon, VA. VCEDA Business Development Specialist Diane Thomas, right, represented VCEDA at the event. She is pictured here with EO Board Member AJ Robinson, of Tazewell County. Keynote speaker at the event was Mayor Tommy Battle, Huntsville, Ala.

10/15/2026

From pastries and cinnamon rolls, to savory quiches, ham and swiss croissants, custom made cakes and more, BB’s Bakery & Café in Pennington Gap, VA offers a varied menu from which to choose, according to owner Briana Belcher, who prides herself on making items from scratch daily.

Parea & PSomi LLC, doing business as BB’s Bakery & Café, is a recent recipient of a $10,000 Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) Seed Capital Matching Grant. Seed capital grants are funded from regional funds received by VCEDA which are paid by the natural gas industry.

The business projects one full-time employee and four part-time employees within five years.

Read more: https://vceda.us/bbs-bakery-cafe-approved-for-vceda-seed-capital-grant/

10/14/2026

Premium residential remodeling and custom home building services grounded in craftsmanship and meticulous attention to detail are what David Lawson strives to bring to every job with his new business, Lawson Custom Builders, LLC in Wise, VA.

Lawson Custom Builders, LLC is a recent recipient of a $10,000 Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) Seed Capital Matching Grant. Seed capital grants are funded from regional funds received by VCEDA which are paid by the natural gas industry.
The business projects two full-time employees and five part-time employees within five years.

Read more: https://vceda.us/vceda-seed-capital-grant-approved-for-lawson-custom-builders-llc/

10/13/2026

Solar development in Southwest Virginia was the topic of discussion at a community meeting of the Solar Workgroup of Southwest Virginia, October 1. Community members in attendance had the opportunity to learn more about solar development in the region. A brief solar 101 overview was presented which was followed by group discussion on a variety of solar-related topics. VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel Jonathan Belcher represented VCEDA at the meeting. VCEDA is a member of the solar workgroup steering committee.

10/10/2026

ICYMI: VCEDA issued its periodic e-news brief last week! If you are not already a subscriber, but would like to be added to our email list, message us here or at [email protected] with your email address and we'll get you signed up to stay in the know! In the meantime, you can read it here: https://vceda.us/vceda-e-news-brief-october-2-2026/

10/09/2026

Smoked meats and tasty sides were foods Jimmy Osborne cooked just for family and friends until last year when Osborne decided to turn his passion for cooking barbecue into a business, purchasing a food truck and opening Jimmy’s Pit Stop BBQ, LLC. Next up? He plans to open a brick and mortar restaurant in Jonesville, VA, later this year.

Jimmy’s Pit Stop BBQ, LLC is a recent recipient of a $10,000 Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) Seed Capital Matching Grant. Seed capital grants are funded from regional funds received by VCEDA which are paid by the natural gas industry.

The business projects three full-time employees and three part-time employees within five years.

Read more: https://vceda.us/vceda-seed-capital-grant-approved-for-jimmys-pit-stop-bbq-llc/

10/07/2026

Kandi Sigmon has always had a passion for baking and cake decorating, but took things to a new level earlier this year when she opened her new business, Kandi Kakes, LLC in North Tazewell, VA, specializing in made-to-order cakes and sweet treats.

Kandi Kakes, LLC is a recent recipient of a $10,000 Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) Seed Capital Matching Grant. Seed capital grants are funded from regional funds received by VCEDA which are paid by the natural gas industry.

The business projects four full-time employees and three part-time employees within five years.

Read more: https://vceda.us/kandi-kakes-llc-approved-for-vceda/

NORTH TAZEWELL, VA – OCTOBER 7, 2026 – Kandi Sigmon has always had a passion for baking and cake decorating, but took things to a new level earlier this year

10/07/2026

An up to $80,000 matching grant from the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) to be used to finance a feasibility and economic impact study and pilot test of manufacturing Small Vertical Wind Turbine Energy Recovery Systems in Buchanan County, VA, was closed recently with the Buchanan County Industrial Development Authority.

The IDA is partnering with Emendare R&D, a non-profit research organization headquartered in Buchanan County, which will conduct the research on recovering waste exhaust-air energy from industrial, commercial and institutional ventilation systems.

Read more: https://vceda.us/vceda-approves-80000-matching-grant-for-buchanan-ida-small-vertical-wind-turbine-energy-recovery-study-pilot-test/

10/06/2026

VCEDA was a sponsor and exhibited at the fourth annual CreatorCon, an entrepreneurship conference, held at UVA Wise on September 23 and 24. Chancellor Donna Henry welcomed the attendees, founders, creators, students, entrepreneurs and ecosystem builders from across Southwest Virginia and Appalachia. Past VCEDA seed capital recipients, Jessica Monroe and Andrea Hicks, joined other speakers to share their experiences building their businesses operating in the region. Monroe also conducted a workshop session, “Mastering AI Search: How to Make Your Business Discoverable. Susan Copeland, VCEDA marketing coordinator, manned the exhibit booth and represented VCEDA at the event.