By Jim Talbert

November 16, 2018 - A long standing Tazewell County, Virginia business is expanding and diversifying its product line.

AMR Pemco located in the Bluefield Industrial Park received a $1,400,000 loan from the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority Nov. 15. David Graf, president and CEO of the company said the money will be used to upgrade equipment and expand the building.

Graf said the company still likes working with coal mining businesses but is also doing work for good and other hard rock mining companies, municipalities and other companies. Curt Gillespie, a member of the Tazewell County Industrial Development Authority and a former Pemco employee recalled seeing equipment the company in use at American Airlines during a recent trip he took.

Graf said he he hopes the company can hire up to 75 new people in the next few years. Jonathan Belcher, executive director of VCEDA said it is important to help existing businesses as well as recruiting new ones.

Belcher said this is the fourth loan VCEDA has made to Pemco since its inception. He said loans have always been paid back and the company meets its goals. Graf said the company has a work force from Tazewell, Mercer, Bland, Wythe and Russell County.

He said they utilize the Southwest Virginia Advanced Manufacturing Center for trading welders and other workers for the company