Published on November 14th, 2025
Last modified November 14th, 2025 10:15 am
The Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) has awarded a $250,000 grant to the Southwest Virginia Community College (SWCC) Educational Foundation for workforce development.
Funds will support scholarships for the emerging workforce, instructional costs, customized training for area businesses, work-based learning, assessments, and administration of the National Career Readiness Certificate and other workforce testing for residents and workers in the VCEDA region.
“For several years, VCEDA has provided funding from its Coalfield Workforce Development and Training Fund to SWCC and Mountain Empire Community College for scholarships and related workforce training,” said VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel Jonathan Belcher. “Hundreds of workers and potential workers have benefited from this support.”
The previous VCEDA grant to SWCC, approved in September 2024, provided up to $100,000 and is still being disbursed. The new grant continues these workforce development opportunities.
“We are deeply grateful to VCEDA for its continued investment in our region’s workforce and in the students who will help shape its future,” said SWCC President Dr. Clint Hayes. “This Emerging Workforce Scholarship grant will open doors for individuals seeking skills and education to meet today’s employer demands.”
Go here to read the original VCEDA press release.