Latest news with #BluefieldEconomicDevelopmentAuthority
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Spencer named by Trump administration as new SBA Mid-Atlantic region administrator
bluefield — A local official is now working with the Trump Administration to assist with small business and entrepreneurship growth across the Mid-Atlantic region. Jim Spencer was recently named by U.S. Small Business Administration Administrator Kelly Loeffler as the new SBA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator. In his new position, Spencer will oversee SBA efforts in West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania and the District of Columbia. Spencer most recently served as the executive director of the Bluefield Economic Development Authority where he oversaw the development of a number of key projects, including Intuit's Downtown Prosperity Hub, the Omnis Building Technologies plant at Exit 1, the Bluefield Commercialization Station and most recently the 400 block demolition and rebuild project in Bluefield. Spencer said he is proud to work with the Trump administration and Loeffler to support small business growth, entrepreneurship and the SBA's recently announced Made in America manufacturing initiative, a campaign that is designed to restore American dominance and national security by empowering small manufacturers. 'Number one I never imagined in my career I would be allowed and afforded such a tremendous opportunity,' Spencer said. 'I'm on board and honored. It's a privilege to work with the five states and D.C. I believe in merit, hard work and dedication, and I think it shows that there are people that see some of the good efforts that have been done.' Spencer was sworn in as the new SBA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator on March 24. One of the primary goals of the U.S. Small Business Administration is to power the American dream of entrepreneurship. In his former role as executive director of the Bluefield Economic Development Authority, Spencer was actively involved in promoting entrepreneurship in the region. On the federal level, the SBA seeks to empower entrepreneurship by providing job creators with the resources and tools they need to grow and expand their business. The agency also is actively involved with disaster recovery efforts, including the most recent federal disaster declaration for Southern West Virginia. 'I actually get daily briefings on that,' Spencer said of the current disaster declaration, adding that he was at the Disaster Recovery Center in McDowell County just earlier this month. The current disaster declaration stems from the Feb. 15 flood. But Spencer's primary goal as the new regional SBA administrator is to assist with small business and entrepreneurship growth in the Mid-Atlantic region. 'Each state has a district director, and that is sort of the leader on each of the states,' Spencer said. 'So those work with me. The goal with the SBA is we support existing businesses and work with entrepreneurship.' The Mid-Atlantic Region covers West Virginia, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland and Washington D.C. In his new role, Spencer will be working with each state, including West Virginia SBA District Director Karen Friel and Virginia SBA District Director Carl Knoblock. 'The Made in America initiative — I'm excited about that,' Spencer said of the recently announced manufacturing campaign, pointing to similarities to the Commercialization Station project that was launched in Bluefield several years ago. The Bluefield Commercialization Station was designed to serve as a mixed-use incubator for the Bluefield area. 'So when the President and Administratrator Kelly Loeffler came out with the Made in America initiative, our area had been focused on manufacturing for years,' Spencer said. 'It's very important for rural communities to be served. I think that is evidenced in them picking someone from a small community.' As part of the SBA's Made in America manufacturing initiative, Spencer said the SBA will be working to support President Trump's agenda to create good-paying jobs, secure U.S. supply chains and promote fair trade. The campaign specifically seeks to cut $100 billion in regulation; launch a Red Tape hotline to assist small business owners and manufacturers to share feedback and share onerous regulations for review; and to promote a skilled manufacturing workforce by partnering with agencies, trade schools and the private sector to create a pipeline of skilled workers to support manufacturing. Spencer said about 98 percent of American manufacturers are small businesses. 'Small business is the backbone of the American economy,' Spencer said. 'If you think about the importance of this — the majority of businesses in the United States are considered small businesses.' Spencer said his initial weeks on the job have been focused on individual calls with each of the states. He also hopes to make field visits to each of the states soon. 'We are doing individual calls with each state,' Spencer said of his initial outreach efforts as regional administrator. From there he plans to make field visits to the individual states. 'Well first off I'm getting ready to start traveling and I'm looking forward to traveling and listening to the other locations,' Spencer said. 'And we are doing round tables. So I'm interested and looking forward to when I can get out in the field. But also working with Maryland, Pennsylvania and also D.C. So I'm visiting those regions, and I want to be an asset to help those regions grow. I don't want to sit behind the desk.' Although he is now working for the federal government, and is currently stationed in Charleston, Spencer still lives in Bluefield. Spencer is excited about his replacement at BEDA, Sam Wolford, who is a former co-worker from his time in Tazewell County. 'It's an exciting time,' Spencer said. 'Sam and I worked together for about 20 years in Tazewell County. He is a top notch individual. Very smart and very talented. He and I have talked about projects and things like that and he and I have talked about coming out and hosting training.' Contact Charles Owens at cowens@
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
PROGRESS 2025: Bluefield moving closer toward 400 block rebuild effort
bluefield — Work is expected to begin this summer on Bluefield's long-planned rebuild project for the city's 400 block. Thrasher Engineering in Beckley was selected last December to complete the final design work for the 400 block rebuild plan, which was unveiled to the public on March 3. The goal is to see work underway on the 400 block rebuild phase this summer, according to Bluefield Economic Development Authority Executive (BEDA) Director Jim Spencer. 'Summer is still the timeline,' Spencer, who is retiring in April as the BEDA director, said. 'That's our goal.' The design plans were presented to city residents during an open house forum earlier this month. Landscape architect Samuel Rich with the Thrasher Group in Beckley described the downtown concept to about 100 residents who attended that meeting on March 3. 'We have been tasked by the Bluefield Economic Development Authority to develop a concept plan for the redevelopment of the 400 block plaza here in downtown Bluefield,' Rich said. 'And a lot of this is focused on creating an events space or a mixed use green space for the downtown area that would be an aesthetic destination for visitors or residents of the area to utilize. It's kind of reactivating this whole downtown area by programing it with events which would take place on a weekly basis and special events on the weekends and also giving a place for downtown workers and residents to utilize a green space.' 'It will have a performance stage and restrooms as well as just a lot of unprogrammed green space that will be utilized as the seating during events or just a space to pass a Frisbee or hang out with your dog,' Rich said in describing the plans. 'We're wanting to program it so it can have events like a Christmas festival or other types of events like farmers markets or food festivals.' The downtown square concept includes having food trucks or tour buses parked on Raleigh Street, which could be closed during events, Rich said. The project's goals include downtown revitalization, encouraging private investment and creating a community and destination space, Spencer said. 'We're trying to create a new Bluefield, a new economy based off of our assets and things like that,' Spencer said. Under the current plan, Scott Street, which is along the 400 block would be closed to make more space for the new square. The project will take time to develop and will require additional funding, according to Bluefield Mayor Ron Martin. The project's first phase, creating the green space landscaping, could begin within 12 months, Rich said. How long the project will take to complete will depend upon available funding. The project's total cost would be over $4 million. Funding could come from federal, state and other sources, Martin told the crowd gathered at the March 3 public forum. 'We've got to get knocking on doors for money,' Martin said about the search for financing. A number of abandoned structures along the 400 block, including the former JcPenney and Montgomery Ward buildings, were demolished last summer. The third and final phase of the project calls for a rebuild of the 400 block, which is now a largely flat and grassy area. Spencer said the grass was planted last fall. 'It looks great,' Spencer said of the flat new section of the downtown. 'The grass is coming in real well. It has changed the whole look of the downtown.' BEDA's goal is to use the new 400 block as an anchor and an attraction for other developments in the city's downtown. For example, Spencer said several existing structures located near the 400 block, which are currently vacant, could be utilized by prospective businesses, including the former Elk and Landmark buildings, both of which are owned by the city of Bluefield. The overall goal for the project is downtown revitalization, encouraging private investment and the creation of community and destination space. 'That's the three goals of this project,' Spencer said. 'Because with the concept we are doing here now other developers may be interested in other businesses around the 400 block. So this could be an anchor.' The downtown abatement/demolition/rebuild project began in late 2023 with the removal of asbestos and other hazardous materials from seven vacant structures along the 400 block. The demolition phase of the project began on February 26, 2024, as demolition crews tore into the brick walls of the old JcPenney building. Contractors started at the top of each building and worked their way down. The last building to come down was the eight-story Montgomery Ward building. Planning for the 400 block project actually dates back to 2019. That is when a Brownfield Assessment grant was awarded that allowed the city to review several structures, including those that were later demolished along the 400 block. On October 6, 2020, the Bluefield Board of Directors voted to deed the 400 Block to the Bluefield Economic Development Authority. As the demolitions got underway, Bluefield residents spoke with the Daily Telegraph and recalled what life was once like at the 400 block. Doris Sue Kantor of Bluefield remembered when the demolitions got underway that a Trailways Bus station operated years ago at the 400 block. She said at the time that she recalled that her father, the late Judge Jerome Katz, practiced law there. Businesses long-time Bluefield residents can remember such as Steckler's Men's Shop and the Kresge's store — known for its lunch counter and fresh doughnuts — once stood there as well. Spencer later said longtime residents have told him how buses used to drive under the 400 block's buildings in order to reach streets on the opposite side, adding he would like to see photographs that were taken when this was possible. Although not a part of the 400 block project, two additional buildings located in very close proximity to the 400 block will be coming down this summer. The city of Bluefield and the Bluefield Economic Development Authority announced in February that they were seeking bids for asbestos abatement and the demolition of structures located at 200 and 210 Bland Street. The structures are the former Communications Workers of America building and the former Bland Ferri building. 'This project has been on the plate for several years, and so I made an application on behalf of the city for a Community Development Block Grant for the abatement and demo, and that is a West Virginia grant,' Spencer said. 'So it was funded and we had to go through the typical regular review.' Spencer said the two structures to be torn down are owned by the city, but BEDA is assisting with the effort. Both the old Communications Workers of America building and the Bland Ferri building have been vacant for years. 'Especially the Bland Ferri building, it's been vacant for as long as I can remember,' Spencer said. 'That building is in pretty bad shape.' The hope is to begin the new demolitions by this summer. The tentative plan is to create additional parking in the area for future growth that is planned at the 400 block rebuild site and the former Landmark Antique building, which is located adjacent to the former Communications Workers of America building. Spencer said the city would like to see a new business move into the former Landmark Antiques building. 'The plan is to use the Landmark and other vacant businesses downtown,' Spencer said. 'We are trying to attract businesses.' Once demolition work begins on the 200 and 210 Bland Street structures, Spencer said all necessary traffic control efforts will be implemented at that time. Contact Charles Owens at cowens@
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bluefield's economic development authority director announces retirement
bluefield — After nearly a decade of helping the city of Bluefield grow, the Bluefield Economic Development Authority's director announced Tuesday that he will be retiring in April this year. Jim Spencer, executive director of the Bluefield Economic Development Authority, was the Tazewell County Administrator before he became the city's new Community and Economic Development Director after the Bluefield Board of Directors voted unanimously to hire him on April 17, 2015. Spencer oversaw more than $130 million in capital projects for Tazewell County and initiated several programs for area businesses. During his many years of service in Tazewell County, he was successful in securing multiple grant and loan funding awards for numerous infrastructure-improvement projects, and had a hand in dozens of economic development and tourism-related initiatives in Tazewell County, including the Spearhead Trail system for Southwest Virginia. Spencer officially announced his plans Tuesday to retire during a meeting of the Bluefield Board of Directors. 'It was both an exciting opportunity and a significant challenge for me,' Spencer said about joining the city back in 2015. 'I wanted to be part of something new, something that could bring positive change to this community. The timing was perfect, because we had a city board that was hungry for growth – a spirit that still thrives today with our current board of directors.' Spencer said that he had a lot of support during his 10 years with Bluefield's municipal government. 'I've had the privilege of working alongside some great people,' he said. 'The city has been blessed with incredible board members and, of course, the formation of the Bluefield WV EDA in 2019 brought even more dedicated individuals into the fold.' 'Bluefield is not just a city to me – it's deeply personal,' Spencer said. 'My family has strong ties here, with many of my relatives who graduated from college having attended Bluefield State. The community always has a special place in our hearts.' When what became the Bluefield Economic Development Authority was started, there was first a three-prong approach beginning with an inventory of assets, he said. 'Looking back, if anyone has suggested that we would create a mixed-use incubator like the Commercialization Station, focusing on manufacturing, or that we'd have award-winning entrepreneurial programs, a Food Truck Incubator, ongoing development at Exit 1, Intuit/Alorica in our downtown and a new planned development in the heart of the city, most would have thought it sounded crazy,' Spencer said. 'With hard work, dedication and faith, those dreams became reality.' Spencer said his faith has been a guiding force. 'As a Christian, I prayed every day for God's guidance in the direction of the city and the region,' he said. 'I truly believe that you can see God's hand in the projects we've been able to complete, and I give credit where credit is due. His blessing has been evident every step of the way.' 'As the Bible reminds us in Ecclesiastes 3:1, 'To everything there is a season, and time to every purpose under heaven.,'' Spencer said. 'And so, today, it is time for me to announce my retirement, effective April 23, 2025.' Spencer thanked the city and its residents for their support. 'Words can never fully express the love and gratitude I have for this community,' he said. 'Bluefield has been such a blessing to me and my family. The Bluefield WV EDA is made up of a fantastic group of board members and staff, and I have no doubt that even greater things are ahead for the city. Thank you all, from the bottom of my heart, for your support, your trust, and for allowing me to be part of this wonderful journey. So I'm submitting that officially today and the BEDA board is already aware of it.' Mayor Ron Martin thanked Spencer for his time with the city. 'We appreciate the things that you've done,' Martin said. 'I asked you to put together a list of the things that have been done while you were here. The numbers are pretty impressive when you look at it.' 'Close to $20 million in grant funds and another $45 million in private investment from folks who have brought here, lured here, by some of the grant funds that were done, some of the individuals in the city who have worked with you,' Martin said. 'It's pretty impressive, what you've done for us, for the citizens of Bluefield. Now you have to help find someone to replace you. Now Jim's moving on to another position that has the ability not only to help the city of Bluefield but the entire region, so it's going to be awesome to work with you in the future. I look forward to seeing you a lot in the city as well.' 'That's hopefully going to be announced in the next few weeks,' Spencer said about a future position. Contact Greg Jordan at gjordan@
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Downtown rebuild plans unveiled
bluefield A vision was unveiled Monday for the future of a space created by demolishing seven buildings in downtown Bluefield. Around 100 residents came to the Bluefield Arts Center for a look at what downtown Bluefield's 400 block could look like in the future. This space was created when the seven buildings which once stood there were demolished for new downtown development opportunities. The demolition project started back in 2019 with a Brownfield Assessment grant that let the city evaluate downtown structures. In October 2020, the city of Bluefield deeded the properties over to the Bluefield Economic Development Authority. Work on demolishing the 400 block's buildings began in late February 2024 when the contractor Reclaim started tearing down the old JC Penney building. It was the first of seven structures slated to be brought down and hauled away. By September that same year, the old Montgomery Ward building which stood over Chicory Square, the setting of many outdoor concerts and festivals, was also gone. Now the space is open for change. Landscape architect Samuel Rich with the Thrasher Group in Beckley described the downtown concept. 'We have been tasked by the Bluefield Economic Development Authority to develop a concept plan for the redevelopment of the 400 block plaza here in downtown Bluefield,' Rich said. 'And a lot of this is focused on creating an events space or a mixed use green space for the downtown area that would be an aesthetic destination for visitors or residents of the area to utilize. It's kind of reactivating this whole downtown area by programing it with events which would take place on a weekly basis and special events on the weekends and also giving a place for downtown workers and residents to utilize a green space.' 'It will have a performance stage and restrooms as well as just a lot of unprogrammed green space that will be utilized as the seating during events or just a space to pass a Frisbee or hang out with your dog,' Rich said. 'We're wanting to program it so it can have events like a Christmas festival or other types of events like farmers markets or food festivals.' The downtown square concept includes having food trucks or tour buses parked on Raleigh Street, which could be closed during events, Rich said. The project's goals include downtown revitalization, encouraging private investment and creating a community and destination space, said Jim Spencer, director of the Bluefield Economic Development Authority. 'We're trying to create a new Bluefield, a new economy based off of our assets and things like that,' Spencer said. Under the current plan, Scott Street, which is along the 400 block would be closed to make more space for the new square. There had been a lot of discussions about what people want to see downtown, said Mayor Ron Martin. Some want to see stores such as Dollar General or another grocery store. 'I would encourage everybody to approach this with an open mind and think about the buildings we have left,' Martin said. 'Our city grew vertically and because we're limited in space. Most business transactions now are horizontal, so everybody wants to be on the ground floor.' In order for other downtown buildings to be vibrant and usable, one idea is having residential space, he said. 'That's the one thing that we don't have in downtown Bluefield other than the (West Virginian) Manor is residential space,' Martin said. 'And in order to have residential space, you have to have green space and you have to have parking so that people feel like they have a home here rather than just being transient and parking on the street and moving here and there and not having space to take their dogs out and that kind of stuff. The plan here focuses on that spot being that green space, being that recreation area where people living downtown can go and enjoy themselves and feel like it's a place they can call home.' The project's first phase, creating the green space landscaping, could begin within 12 months, Rich said. How long the project will take to complete will depend on funding. The project's total cost could be over $4 million. Funding could come from federal, state and other sources, Martin said. 'We've got to get knocking on doors for money,' he said about the search for financing. Contact Greg Jordan at gjordan@
Yahoo
08-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bluefield welcomed 30 new businesses in 2024
Feb. 8—bluefield — The city of Bluefield welcomed 30 new businesses in 2024. That's according to a new report from the Bluefield Economic Development Authority (BEDA), which outlined growth in the city. Of the 30 new businesses that opened up shop in Bluefield last year, six were from the food industry, four were retail, eight were within the service industry category and one was a medical industry business. BEDA's 2024 report was delivered to the Bluefield Board of Directors at their last meeting, Jim Spencer, executive director of the Bluefield Economic Development Authority, said. "We talked about that at the last board meeting," Spencer said of the 2024 report. "I think it is good to give yourself a grade card on everything you are working on. So we unveiled that last week at the city board meeting." In the new report, Spencer said the city saw various businesses open their doors as well as remodel their facilities for grand reopenings. Spencer said BEDA's goal is to take a proactive approach to fostering a new, sustainable regional economy. This is accomplished by supporting development, advancing business and industry, cultivating talent, fostering entrepreneurship and innovation and attracting new industries. A number of key projects are highlighted in the report, including the Prosperity Hub in downtown Bluefield operated by Intuit and Alorica. It serves as a customer service hub for Intuit's TurboTax, QuickBooks and Mint platforms. Currently Alorica has more than 300 employees working at the Prosperity Hub. The report also highlights the recently completed demolition project along the city's 400 block and the rebuild effort that will be getting underway this summer. It also highlights the Commercialization Station project on Bluefield Avenue. According to the report, the 60,000-square-foot facility is nearly at full capacity with four current tenants. The planning process is underway to further develop the sixth bay of the facility to provide additional space for potential tenants. — Contact Charles Owens at cowens@ — Contact Charles Owens at cowens@
