Bluefield Daily Telegraph, Bluefield, WV

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February 25, 2009

Bluestone Business, Technology Center gets $1.5 million to help generate 900 jobs

By GREG JORDAN

TAZEWELL, Va. — A project that could generate almost 900 jobs in both the public and private sectors received a boost Wednesday when the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority presented $1.5 million grant to the Industrial Development Authority of Tazewell County.

The money will be used to finance site development for the planned 680-acre Bluestone Regional Business and Technology Center located along U.S. Route 460 near Bluefield. A mixed-used plan calls for including a workforce training center, offices, a hotel and conference center, retail stores, residential units, a golf course and walking trails.

Wednesday’s grant, which was approved by VCEDA in Nov. 2008, was made at the Tazewell County Administrative Office.

“It is with great pleasure that the VCEDA board approved the grant to assist Tazewell County in moving forward with phase 1 of the development of The Bluestone,” said Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA executive director. “A business and technology park of this size will truly have widespread regional economic impact.”

Having such a center of activity will benefit both Tazewell County and the entire region, Belcher added.

“It will be a new mixed use development that we believe will give Tazewell County a competitive edge,” he said. The grant will help finance infrastructure work, access road construction and other preparations that are part of phase 1.

“It’s wonderful to see something finally happen,” said Jay Rife, chairman of the VCEDA board.

An “aggressive team” made up of county supervisors, county IDA members and VCEDA have moved the Bluestone project forward, said County Administrator Jim Spencer.

“I feel like this is the beginning of good things for Tazewell County,” Spencer said.

With the Bluestone project, jobs can be generated and the quality of life can be improved, said Tazewell County IDA chairman Jim Boyd.

Situated 15 miles from Interstate 77 and eight miles east of Tazewell, Va., the site is owned by the Tazewell County IDA. Target industries for the mixed use development include technology-based, advanced manufacturing and energy businesses.

A 2006 study by Chmura Economics & Analytics said the Bluestone project is expected to generate $45 million in annual sales and output for the county and to employ almost 900 people public and private employees, said Susan Copeland, business development and public relations coordinator for VCEDA.

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