08-02-2025
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@
