VCEDA Seed Capital Grant Approved for Southern Ridge Design LLC
WEBER CITY, VA – AUGUST 17, 2026 – High-quality products featuring custom laser engraving, printing and embroidery on a wide range of items is what Zachary and Marah Culbertson offer through Southern Ridge Design LLC, their new Scott County, VA business. Personalized gifts, home décor, apparel, drinkware, signage and more are available.
Southern Ridge Design 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.
“Southern Ridge Design LLC transforms raw goods and blank materials into customized market-ready products for businesses, schools, organizations and individual customers,” said Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA executive director/general counsel. “The business projects two full-time employees and one part-time employee within five years.”
“We combine skilled craftsmanship with advanced production technology to create custom items,” said Zachary Culbertson. “Southern Ridge Design serves both local and regional markets, while at the same time, contributing to manufacturing growth, small business development and creative tourism within the community.”
Marah Culbertson agreed, adding, “we strive to create and meet a growing local demand for customized apparel and personalized products. Our long-term goal is to establish Southern Ridge Design as a trusted regional provider of custom merchandise and personalized products while maintaining the personal service and craftsmanship that defines a family-owned business.”
The new business opened its storefront location at 138 Village Center Circle in Weber City, VA in April, initially doing some remodeling to create an attractive storefront and display area. Product lines include not only t-shirts and hats, but also cutting boards, drinkware and more. One of their popular items is a cutting board they make which takes a family recipe and engraves it on the board, creating a beautiful display piece and thereby helping to preserve family tradition and history in the kitchen.
The Culbertsons said the VCEDA grant was critical to accelerating their new business’ growth and its production capacity.
“It provided a little bit of relief to help give our business a decent start,” Marah said. “We had already put a lot of our own money into getting started and the VCEDA grant meant a lot to our future.”
The funds were used toward the purchase and upgrade of laser engraving and embroidery equipment which in turn increased production efficiency and output capacity. Additionally, the funds expanded printing capabilities allowing Southern Ridge Design to accommodate larger commercial and bulk orders and helped to build inventory to support consistent order fulfillment and to reduce turnaround time.
In addition to offering items in their storefront, Marah noted the couple also attends some regional fairs and festivals to help get the word out further about their business.
The Culbertsons worked with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Mountain Empire Community College (MECC) in developing their application to VCEDA. They received a letter of support from the Scott County Economic Development Authority.
"One of the greatest privileges of the SBDC is walking alongside entrepreneurs as they transform an idea into a sustainable business,” said Becki O’Quinn-Purdie, SBDC executive director at MECC. “The VCEDA Seed Capiral award recognizes the vision and the hard work the Culbertsons have invested in building and growing a strong business in Scott County. We are proud to have partnered with them and look forward to watching their business continue to grow and contribute to the economic vitality of Southwest Virginia."
“The Scott County Economic Development Authority continues to support small businesses and to partner with the Small Business Development Center to grow the entrepreneurial culture in Scott County,” said Scott County EDA Executive Director John Kilgore. “We congratulate Southern Ridge Design LLC on this grant award.”
For more information about Southern Ridge Design LLC, interested persons may visit their website at www.southernridgedesign.com, visit their Facebook page, or call 423-360-4217.
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.
About the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority Seed Capital Matching Grant Fund: VCEDA region for-profit businesses, within qualifying business categories, one year and under with less than 10 full-time employees are eligible to apply for dollar-for-dollar matching grants up to $10,000 from the VCEDA Seed Capital Matching Fund. Applicants work with the Small Business Development Centers at Mountain Empire and Southwest Virginia community colleges to prepare the applications to VCEDA that include detailed business and financial plans. Businesses must be located in or plan to operate in the VCEDA region in southwestern Virginia that includes Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Tazewell, and Wise counties and the City of Norton