$404,930 VCEDA Grant to SWCC Educational Foundation Will Assist with Workforce Development, Training

WARDELL, VA – JULY 28, 2026 – An up to a $404,930 grant from the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) to the Southwest Virginia Community College (SWCC) Educational Foundation was closed recently.

 

The funds will be used for workforce development and training, for the purchase of orbital welding units and to support the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at SWCC in its assistance to entrepreneurs and small business owners in the VCEDA region.

 

“VCEDA is pleased to once again provide support to SWCC to assist in workforce development and training for students in our region, to assist with the purchase of needed equipment to expand the college’s welding training options and to support the SBDC with which we work closely through our VCEDA Seed Capital Matching Grant program,” said VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel Jonathan Belcher.

 

The workforce development and training component of the recent grant approval will continue funding to be used for scholarships for the emerging workforce, training instructional costs, customized workforce training for area businesses, work-based learning opportunities, costs of assessments and costs of administering National Career Readiness Certificate and other workforce testing for residents and/or workers in the VCEDA region.

 

That funding is specifically used in situations where training does not otherwise always qualify for other forms of financial assistance. Hundreds of workers and potential workers have been trained with the funding at both SWCC and Mountain Empire Community College.

 

The purchase of two orbital welding units for training purposes will support training in high purity piping systems for the food and beverage industry. These systems require precise, contamination-free welds to meet strict sanitary and regulatory standards. In addition, precision welding technology is widely used in industries including aerospace, energy, pharmaceuticals and advanced manufacturing. The equipment will be integrated into both an advanced welding program and a short-term workforce training program.

 

The third component of the grant request is for funding to help support workforce development and training for entrepreneurs and small business owners in the region including a part- time small business advisor position within the SBDC office at SWCC to assist in the delivery of one-on-one confidential advising on business planning, financial strategy, operations and market analysis.

 

“Thanks to VCEDA's partnership and vision, Southwest can continue expanding workforce initiatives that prepare students for high-demand careers,” said SWCC Vice President of Institutional Advancement Susan Lowe. “Their support helps transform potential into opportunity and strengthens the economic future of our region.”

 

About Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority and Southwest Virginia’s e-Region: The Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority, created by the Virginia General Assembly in 1988 to enhance and diversify the region’s economy and help create jobs, markets Southwest Virginia’s e-Region and its focus on electronic information technology, energy, education, emerging technologies, and entrepreneurship. VCEDA is a unique economic development organization that manages funds for economic development projects from a percentage of the coal and natural gas severance taxes paid by coal and natural gas companies that operate in the region. Located in southwestern Virginia, the region includes Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Tazewell, and Wise counties and the City of Norton. www.vceda.us or www.e-Region.org.

 

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PHOTO CAPTION: VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel Jonathan Belcher, left, presents a ceremonial check for $404,930 to Southwest Virginia Community College (SWCC) Vice President of Institutional Advancement Susan Lowe, center, and SWCC Small Business Development Center Executive Director Denise Harmon, right, to be used for workforce training and development programs; equipment; and support for the SBDC.