Coalfields legislators using power of the purse to push new economic development initiative
RICHMOND — Two Southwest Virginia lawmakers plan to require a regional economic development authority to pay $500,000 a year for a coalfields marketing initiative that the organization’s director characterized as unnecessary.
The money, which would go to the Lenowisco Planning District Commission, is one of the budget amendments awaiting final approval as the General Assembly heads toward adjournment Saturday.
Last year, when Lenowisco submitted an application to the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority, or VCEDA, for $200,000 to fund the same marketing entity, authority director Jonathan Belcher called the proposal a conflict of interest and claimed it was redundant.
Lenowisco withdrew its application in December before VCEDA’s board discussed or voted on the request.
Read more: http://www.roanoke.com/news/politics/general_assembly/coalfields-legislators-using-power-of-the-purse-to-push-new/article_80c10df4-342e-5d3c-88a7-5e6e0af2623a.html