Russell County

About Russell County

Nestled in the breathtakingly beautiful Appalachian mountains of Southwest Virginia, Russell County is rich in natural beauty, history and a rapidly growing economy. The current population is just under 30,000. The county is 477 square miles. Russell County’s citizens take great pride in our history and heritage, and we are passionate about our future.

Economically, Russell County has a proven track record for creating a diversified economy. It is home to Information Technology giants Northrop Grumman and CGI. AT&T Wireless, Oldcastle – Mountain Materials, E. Dillon, Dickenson-Russell Coal and Lebanon Apparel are major employers. Our small business community is a lucrative part of our economy as well. Our economy is made up of engineering firms, attorneys, financial institutions, financial services, heavy construction services, mining, gas field services, mineral/resource extraction, farming, retail, manufacturing and health care just to name a few. Russell County offers a well-skilled, dedicated work force that can meet the needs of your company if you are looking to open a new business, expand or relocate.

Outdoor recreation opportunities abound. In the heart of the county at the confluence of the Clinch River and Big Cedar Creek rests the Pinnacle Natural Area Preserve, home to many rare species of plant and aquatic life. The Clinch River and Big Cedar Creek are listed on the National Park Service’s Nationwide Inventory List and the Virginia Scenic Rivers List. The Clinch River has been ranked the #1 River in the Country by the Nature Conservancy for its environmental diversity and significance and is the top river in the World for freshwater mussels. Boat launches are available for canoeing and kayaking opportunities on the Clinch.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Russell County

Properties for New Businesses

Russell County Census

Russell County Industrial Development Authority
Becki O’Quinn Joyce
P.O. Box 1509
Lebanon, VA 24266
Phone: 276-254-2816
Email: info@russellcountyida.org

Towns:

Lebanon
Honaker
St. Paul

All Russell County Resources

Accelerating Appalachia

Place Description:

Accelerating Appalachia is a nature-based business accelerator, connecting innovative businesses, investors and mentors aligned with people, place and prosperity.

Accelerating Appalachia is a nature-based business accelerator, connecting innovative businesses, investors and mentors aligned with people, place and prosperity. Read more...

Appalachian Spring

Place Description:

Appalachian Spring is a partnership of community and regional development, tourism, environmental stewardship, outdoor recreation, and entrepreneurial assistance stakeholders to develop and promote Southwest Virginia as a world class destination of natural and recreational assets for visitation and enjoyment.

Appalachian Spring is a partnership of community and regional development, tourism, environmental stewardship, outdoor recreation, and entrepreneurial assistance stakeholders to develop and promote Southwest Virginia as a world class destination of natural and recreational assets for visitation and enjoyment. Read more...

Business Plan Resources and Templates

Place Description:

Bplans provides a wealth of information on how to prepare a business plan. The website has free templates, sample business plans, outlines, and etc. This is a great resource to use in conjunction with your Small Business Development Counselor.

Templates

Pitch Deck
Venture Capital Template provides assistance on composing a meaningful and successful presentation regarding your business venture.
Cash Flow Template
Strategic Plan Outline

Bplans provides a wealth of information on how to prepare a business plan. The website has free templates, sample business plans, outlines, and etc. This is a great resource to use in conjunction with your Small Business Development Counselor. Templates Pitch Deck Venture Capital Template provides assistance on composing a meaningful and successful presentation regarding your business venture. Cash Flow Template Read more...

Clinch River Valley Initiative

Place Description:

The Clinch River Valley Initiative (CRVI) is a pioneering effort to build local economies in the coalfields of Southwest Virginia, focusing on the Clinch River Valley—one of the most biodiverse river systems in North America. Working at a watershed scale with several local partners, this grassroots effort has developed significant support and momentum throughout the region. Utilizing a consensus-based approach, project partners have developed goals for connecting downtown revitalization, outdoor recreation, creating a state park, enhancing water quality, entrepreneurship and environmental education along the Clinch River. Strategies are being identified to connect downtown revitalization with outdoor recreation along the Clinch River Valley, and a CRVI Action Plan has been developed. Additionally, the effort builds upon the unique cultural and ecological assets of the Clinch River to create new possibilities in the communities along the Clinch as distinctive cultural and ecological areas, particularly around environmental education, outdoor recreation and entrepreneurship.

The Clinch River Valley Initiative (CRVI) is a pioneering effort to build local economies in the coalfields of Southwest Virginia, focusing on the Clinch River Valley—one of the most biodiverse river systems in North America. Working at a watershed scale with several local partners, this grassroots effort has developed significant support and momentum throughout the region. Utilizing a consensus-based approach, Read more...

Coal Heritage Trail

Place Description:

Experience the cultural heritage of southwestern Virginia’s coal mining towns on over 300 miles of scenic byways. Driving through seven counties, travelers can see a range attractions such as working mines, museums, outdoor thrills, and mountain music halls.

Experience the cultural heritage of southwestern Virginia’s coal mining towns on over 300 miles of scenic byways. Driving through seven counties, travelers can see a range attractions such as working mines, museums, outdoor thrills, and mountain music halls. Read more...

Entrepreneurial Ecosystems

Place Description:

Entrepreneurial ecosystems describe communities or regions that foster an overall business climate supportive of entrepreneurship. These communities portray a positive, enthusiastic attitude that infuses an entrepreneurial culture; one that asks “how can we help you start and succeed at business?” There are many resources and incentives that communities can offer to new and existing entrepreneurs to build a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem. Check out a few helpful tools to help strengthen your entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Menu of Incentive Ideas

Launch an Entrepreneur Challenge Toolkit

Community Entrepreneur Package Examples

Main Street America – Entrepreneurial Ecosystems and the Role of Commercial Districts

Virginia Main Street – Creating a Successful “Entrepreneurial Ecosystem”

Entrepreneurial ecosystems describe communities or regions that foster an overall business climate supportive of entrepreneurship. These communities portray a positive, enthusiastic attitude that infuses an entrepreneurial culture; one that asks “how can we help you start and succeed at business?” There are many resources and incentives that communities can offer to new and existing entrepreneurs to build a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem. Check Read more...

Hatch Business Accelerator

Place Description:

Hatch Business Accelerator

Hatch Business Accelerator Read more...

Heart of Appalachia Tourism Authority

Place Description:

Recognizing that the Coalfield Counties have a unique culture and history, the VA General Assembly created the Heart of Appalachia Tourism Authority in 1993 to tell our authentic story and promote this region as an attractive tourism destination. Focusing on our exciting outdoor adventure and relaxing scenic beauty, Heart of Appalachia promotes the westernmost counties of Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Tazewell, Wise and the City of Norton.

Recognizing that the Coalfield Counties have a unique culture and history, the VA General Assembly created the Heart of Appalachia Tourism Authority in 1993 to tell our authentic story and promote this region as an attractive tourism destination. Focusing on our exciting outdoor adventure and relaxing scenic beauty, Heart of Appalachia promotes the westernmost counties of Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Tazewell, Read more...

Human Resources

Place Description:

For information regarding human resources, visit the Virginia Employment Commission website.

For information regarding human resources, visit the Virginia Employment Commission website. Read more...

Marketing Plan

Place Description:

Mplans offers a variety of information regarding all marketing aspects. The website has free sample marketing plans, how to articles, marketing plan outline and etc.

Mplans offers a variety of information regarding all marketing aspects. The website has free sample marketing plans, how to articles, marketing plan outline and etc. Read more...

Oxbow Center

Place Description:

The Oxbow Center provides professional and creative space and serves as a hub for local and regional business growth, community development, and ecological education. The Oxbow Center hopes to partner with people from various businesses, ventures, projects and trades to create a network of professional support and, in turn, promote economic development in the region.

The Oxbow Center provides professional and creative space and serves as a hub for local and regional business growth, community development, and ecological education. The Oxbow Center hopes to partner with people from various businesses, ventures, projects and trades to create a network of professional support and, in turn, promote economic development in the region. Read more...

Programs

Place Description:

Better Business Basics Plus

Believe in Bristol

Floyd C4 Program

Launch Something in Pulaski

VCEDA

Better Business Basics Plus Believe in Bristol Floyd C4 Program Launch Something in Pulaski VCEDA Read more...

SCORE

Place Description:

SCORE is a nonprofit association dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow and achieve their goals through education and mentorship. We have been doing this for nearly fifty years.

Because our work is supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and thanks to our network of 12,000+ volunteers, we are able to deliver our services at no charge or at very low cost.

SCORE is a nonprofit association dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow and achieve their goals through education and mentorship. We have been doing this for nearly fifty years. Because our work is supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and thanks to our network of 12,000+ volunteers, we are able to deliver our services at no Read more...

Small Business & Supplier Diversity

Place Description:

The Virginia Department of Business Assistance works with existing businesses to foster growth and prosperity and assisting entrepreneurs in forming a lucrative business. They host a variety of educational events throughout the Commonwealth weekly. Topics range from selling to the state, social media, mobile marketing & eCommerce, iPad for business, accessing capital, and other business resources.

Links:

Upcoming Events
Website

The Virginia Department of Business Assistance works with existing businesses to foster growth and prosperity and assisting entrepreneurs in forming a lucrative business. They host a variety of educational events throughout the Commonwealth weekly. Topics range from selling to the state, social media, mobile marketing & eCommerce, iPad for business, accessing capital, and other business resources. Links: Upcoming Events Website Read more...

Small Business Development Center

Place Description:

The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) provides free and confidential one-on-one counseling as well as business education opportunities and resources to help entrepreneurs, small business owners and managers improve their business. Many of the Virginia Small Business Development Centers are located at colleges across the commonwealth. Each site has trained counselors to assist entrepreneurs in starting and managing a business. Services available consist of management training, research data, business plan, financial analysis and etc. The mission of the SBDC is to foster small business success and grow Southwest Virginia’s economy.

The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) provides free and confidential one-on-one counseling as well as business education opportunities and resources to help entrepreneurs, small business owners and managers improve their business. Many of the Virginia Small Business Development Centers are located at colleges across the commonwealth. Each site has trained counselors to assist entrepreneurs in starting and managing a business. Read more...

SourceLink

Place Description:

Resource Navigator

Website

Resource Navigator Website Read more...

Spearhead Trails

Place Description:

“…a system of recreational trails and appurtenant facilities, including trailhead centers, parking areas, camping facilities, picnic areas, recreational areas, historic or cultural interpretive sites, and other facilities…”

“…a system of recreational trails and appurtenant facilities, including trailhead centers, parking areas, camping facilities, picnic areas, recreational areas, historic or cultural interpretive sites, and other facilities…” Read more...

Upcoming Events

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Latest News

Opportunity Appalachia Awards 16 projects

Apr 7, 2020 | All Regions, News

Opportunity Appalachia today announced selection of 16 projects to participate in a program to bring jobs, business support, and investment to Central Appalachia. The selected projects propose to create over 1,800 jobs and attract over $365 million in financing to...

COVID-19 Resources and Assistance for Small Businesses and Startups

Mar 24, 2020 | All Regions, News

As we collectively navigate the uncertainty of the recent health crisis, Opportunity SWVA is committed to supporting our Southwest Virginia startups and small businesses during this time. This situation is fluid and changes day by day. We have compiled a list of...

Opportunity Appalachia Recognized as a Leading Opportunity Zone Catalyst in New National List

Dec 12, 2019 | All Regions, News

The Forbes OZ 20: Top Opportunity Zone Catalysts, a partnership between the Sorenson Impact Center and Forbes, have today (December 12, 2019) announced a new list recognizing community organizations and OZ Funds that are committed to achieving equitable economic...

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