Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority

Home
United States
Lebanon, VA
Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority

VCEDA works to diversify the economy in Southwest Virginia and to assist in the creation of jobs.

06/03/2026

A new trails marker and monument commemorating the Civil War Battle of Jonesville was dedicated recently in Lee County, VA. VCEDA provided a grant of $1,750 from its Tourism Capital Improvement Matching Fund, which helped make the project possible. The new sign will help residents, students, and visitors better understand the January 3, 1864 Battle of Jonesville and will strengthen Lee County’s growing Civil War Trails presence.

The project represented a partnership among Civil War Trails, the Lee County Historical and Genealogical Society, Lee County Tourism, VCEDA, Lee County Schools and many others who supported the preservation and interpretation of this important local history.

Dr. Brian McKnight offered historical remarks and Steven Starnes attended with his field map of artifacts associated with the battle. VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel Jonathan Belcher represented VCEDA at the event. He is pictured here with Greg Edwards, chairman of the VCEDA board/Lee County Economic Development Authority.

06/01/2026

The Small Business Administration (SBA) is hosting a nationwide pitch competition that will bring together entrepreneurs from across the country who are building and scaling businesses within their communities.

Selected businesses will be invited to participate in a live pitch competition in Washington, DC, which will culminate in a $1 million prize pool to celebrate the innovation and ambition that has driven American ingenuity for the past 250 years.

See the flyer and find out more at: https://preview.sba.gov/freedom-250/

05/29/2026

VCEDA was pleased to be in attendance at the recent Solar Workgroup of Southwest Virginia community meeting held at the Town of Lebanon Recreational Center. The event focused on solar energy educational and training opportunities in Southwest Virginia. Business Development Specialists Diane Thomas, front row, left; and Charlotte Mullins, front row, right, represented VCEDA at the event. VCEDA is a member of the Solar Workgroup.

05/27/2026

VCEDA was a sponsor of and exhibitor at the Metallurgical Coal Producers Association annual conference & expo in Roanoke, WV, May 18-20. Pictured are VCEDA Board members, J.P. Richardson, left and Barbara Altizer, right, who is also the executive director of education and outreach for MPCA, In the center is Cathy St. Clair, VCEDA communications coordinator. The conference focused on the importance of Met Coal and steel with a theme of "Redefining Resilience."

05/25/2026

Honoring the fallen.
Remembering their sacrifice.
Grateful for their courage.
Memorial Day 2026.

05/22/2026

When Judy Money set out to open a business in the Honaker, VA area, at her farm atop Big A Mountain, she wanted to combine sustainable farming practices with her family’s love of southern-style slow smoked barbecue. She set up Seven Sacred Acres, LLC, DBA as Holy Smokes BBQ and More -- what she describes as a farm-to-table agricultural business which also operates a mobile BBQ catering service available for events, festivals, weddings and more.

Seven Sacred Acres, LLC, DBA as Holy Smokes BBQ and More, 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.

Read more: https://vceda.us/vceda-seed-capital-grant-approved-for-holy-smokes-bbq-and-more/

05/21/2026

VCEDA was pleased to be in attendance today at the annual Southwest Virginia Economic Forum held at UVA Wise. Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger and Del. Terry Kilgore were keynote speakers. A panel, featuring Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade Carrie Chenery; Virginia Economic Development Partnership President and CEO Jason El Koubi; Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development Director Tamarah Holmes; Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity Director Eric Lin; and Virginia Tourism Corporation President and CEO Rita McCleny explored the topic of how Virginia's state agencies are investing in rural. This year's forum theme was "Rooted & Rising," exploring how Southwest Virginia can honor its deep community foundations while advancing bold, forward-looking economic growth. Across sessions on community and economic development, talent and workforce, tourism and more, the forum created space for the conversations and collaborations supporting communities as they rise together.

05/19/2026

When Patrick Ryan set out to open Gap Antique Parlor in Big Stone Gap, VA, he had in mind opening an antique vendor mall with true antiques, vintage goods, cultural workshops and a vinyl record store and listening room. The new business is located in the historic three-story Minor building at 301 Wood Ave., East, which Ryan has been renovating to accommodate up to 125 antique/vintage vendor booths. Plans are to open during the month of July.

Gap Antique Parlor 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.

Read more: https://vceda.us/gap-antique-parlor-llc-approved-for-vceda-seed-capital-grant/

05/15/2026

Business Development Specialists Charlotte Mullins and Diane Thomas represented VCEDA at the 2026 Virginia Women’s Leadership Forum, May 11-12, 2026, at The Forum Hotel in Charlottesville, VA. The highly curated forum was designed to foster meaningful peer connections and provide direct engagement with site selectors in a collaborative setting.

05/13/2026

Our VCEDA Project Review Committee met earlier this week with 19 applicants seeking seed capital funding. We had the opportunity to learn more about their new businesses, which included those in the fields of manufacturing, tourism, energy, information technology and construction-related trades. Awards for the spring funding round will be decided during VCEDA's next meeting, June 18.

Address

527 E. Main Street
Lebanon, VA
24266

Telephone

+18007359999

Website

http://www.vceda.us/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority:

Shortcuts

Want your organization to be the top-listed Government Service in Lebanon?