The Bloom Farm , LLC was created in August by Dickenson County aboriginal Steven Baker , 32 , who hopes his business will become one of the leading nursery commercial-grade farm brands in Southwest Virginia and beyond .

The Bloom Farm , LLC receives a ceremonial check for $ 10,000 from the VCEDA Seed Capital Matching Grant Fund . In photo , from left , Mitzi Sykes , Economic Development Director , Dickenson County ; Jonathan Belcher , VCEDA Executive Director / General Counsel ; Steven Baker , proprietor , The Bloom Farm ; Geena Phipps , The Bloom Farm ; and Tim Blankenbecler , Director of the Small Business Development Center , Mountain Empire Community College .

“ I ’ve worked in the ember industry and also in the oil arena both at home and away from the region . I decide to return home when my grandmother baffle sick to help take care of her . A retired marketing and nursing teacher at Clintwood High School , she was nothing less than a true inspiration with her love and example of hard work , ” say Baker .

“ I ’ve always wanted to get going a business that would be beneficial for our region . Southwest Virginia , is a material gem ingest by many beautiful homes , properties , and patronage that take pride in our muckle and natural dish . After seeing my girl and her aunt ’s knowledge , grueling work , and passion open with all the beautiful flowers they produce , the collaboration of a glasshouse idea came to life , ” said Baker .

Baker worked with Tim Blankenbecler of the Small Business Development Center at Mountain Empire Community College to train his business program for The Bloom Farm and his lotion to the VCEDA seed capital matching grant political platform . The VCEDA Seed Capital Matching Fund is design to serve VCEDA area for - profit businesses one year and under with less than 10 full - clock time employee .

Dickenson County native Geena Phipps , 25 , who is a plant marketer at Lowe ’s , tell her aunt , April Fleming , “ taught me everything I know about plants and flowers , ” and Geena will be helping Baker in the new business . He projects one full - time job and the stage business will be manage by Baker , Phipps and his house .

The business plans to employ the VCEDA seed capital grant to aid with the expression of a 24’x32 ’ main greenhouse , a refinement menage , supply sphere , a sales area and a mobile unit on 25 acres at 354 Berry Drive in Clintwood .

“ We ’re going to have a nice sales orbit where customers can buy industrial plant and other items , some of our own pottery , potting soil and horticulture items , ” said Baker . He hopes to open up by March or April , the first year with buy plants and some that The Bloom Farm has grow . “ Eventually we will be doing our own cloning and cuttings . ”

“ Agriculture and entrepreneurship are two of VCEDA ’s objective , and the practical app from The Bloom Farm , LLC fit nicely into both these strategies , ” say Jonathan Belcher , Executive Director / General Counsel of VCEDA . “ VCEDA is very glad to be able-bodied to help oneself this new small business to get started in Dickenson County . One key to growing the economic system of our arena is to support the development of new belittled businesses in our region , and that is what the VCEDA Seed Capital Matching Fund is design to help do . ”

For more information : www.vaceda.org