Economic developers promote region at Data Center World Expo
March 18, 2010
LEBANON – March 18, 2009 – The Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) led a team of economic development allies to Nashville March 8-11 to promote Virginia’s e-Region as a business location at Data Center World Expo.
During today’s first board meeting of 2010, Executive Director Jonathan Belcher reported to the VCEDA board that 11 economic development representatives from the region manned an exhibit and met with more than 20 companies during the event.
“Data Center World is considered the premier conference for data center professionals and one of the largest global events of its kind. Our team of economic developers answered questions and presented marketing materials outlining the business opportunities available in Virginia’s e-Region,” said Belcher.
The Virginia’s e-Region team included: Jonathan Belcher and Charles Yates, VCEDA; Carl Snodgrass, Wise County; Margie Douglass, Tazewell County; John Kilgore, Scott County; Craig Horn, Buchanan County; Charlotte Mullins, Dickenson County; Harry and Yvonne Rutherford, Russell County; and Donnie and Doris Rife, Dickenson County.
In other action, the VCEDA board approved a request from the Buchanan County IDA to amend a grant agreement approved by VCEDA in August 2009 to use the remaining funds in the grant toward the costs of obtaining a feasibility and economic impact study of developing a school of optometry in Buchanan County. The original grant of up to $125,000 was to be used for a feasibility study of developing a medical school in the county. The study is completed and recommended as one option that the IDA explore the development of a school of optometry in greater detail.
The VCEDA board also approved up to a $120,000 loan to the Buchanan County IDA to be used for roof repairs to help retain apparel manufacturer Potomac Field Gear and its jobs at the Council Industrial Building at Council.
