Here’s a round-up of news briefs from around Southwest and Southside:
Logans donate $1 million to Carilion for cancer programs
Former Carilion board member and Roanoke businessman George Logan and his wife, Helen Harmon Logan, have given $1 million to Carilion Clinic to help fund the expansion of cancer services, according to a release from the hospital.
(Disclosure: Carilion is one of our donors but donors have no say in news decisions; see our policy).
George Logan served on Carilion Clinic’s board of directors from 2003 to 2007 following a 10-year stint on the board that oversees the health system’s Roanoke operations. Prior to that, he served on the board of Community Hospital of Roanoke Valley.
Expanding its cancer program has become a strategic priority in response to the growing number of patients in the region with cancer, Carilion said in a statement. Carilion’s plans include a new world-class Cancer Center that will bring together personalized care, advanced treatment options, and cutting-edge research in a single location.
“There is a lot of vision at Carilion. I’ve seen first-hand how much our health system benefits the region, and I want to support its continued growth,” said George Logan in a statement.
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VCEDA gives grant to Clintwood company
The Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority has given a $10,000 seed capital marching grant to Delightfully Designed, LLC in Clintwood, a business that creates laser engraved/etched items from pictures to jewelry.
The business is owned by Valerie Mullins.
Delightfully Designed has already created one full-time job and is looking at the possibility of adding another part-time assistant, said Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA executive director/general counsel in a statement.
Mullins worked with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Southwest Virginia Community College (SWCC) in developing her application to VCEDA and received a letter of support from the Dickenson County Industrial Development Authority.
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.
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River District Association adds program and services director
The River District Association in Danville has added Lashawn Farmer as the Program & Services Director – Design and Expansion. Farmer formerly served as Chief Operating Officer for The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Danville Area.
Farmer, in this new position, will enable RDA to broaden its design initiatives in the River District and implement the Main Street Four Point Approach and community engagement in the North Main business district. Among many projects, Farmer will be integral in driving new programs and services in the North Main Street corridor that are being developed from a DHCD Community Resurgence grant award of $150,000 dedicated to the North Main Street Business District Revitalization work. (See background story: “North Danville is next target of revitalization.“)