September 12, 2025 - Day two of the Bluefield Coal & Mining Show saw a speaker all the way from D.C. at the federal level.

“Thank you for making America strong. We want America strong, especially on a day like today,” said Bill Briggs, Deputy Administrator for the SBA.

Briggs made an appearance at the show on Thursday, giving remarks to the vendors and visitors, as well as speaking directly with different local business owners, hearing their thoughts.

“He was very knowledgeable and concerned, wanted to listen to our concerns about where we’re lacking, which is finding a talented workforce. We could grow more, and we need to do more skills-based training in this area for electrical, metal fabrication, welding, all those kind of things,” said David Graf, President of AMR Pemco out of Bluefield, Va.

Bill Briggs, Deputy Administrator for the SBA

Some of the vendors demonstrated their equipment for Briggs, familiarizing him with local industry products.

One of these Southern West Virginian businesses says seeing representation from the federal level is meaningful for rural areas.

“It was a great honor that he would take the time to come here to Southern West Virginia to this event to see all these small business(es), cause the majority of the companies here are small businesses. To know that people from the federal government level care to take the time to do that, that means a lot,” said Jarrod Bailey, Executive Vice President of highland Industries from Oak Hill, W.Va.

Briggs said that the SBA and Trump Administration feel it’s important to show the coal manufacturing industry it’s valued.

“If there’s any way we can help you, we would like to help you. We do value the coal manufacturing industry, we value the folks who are working hard here today. Part of what we’re trying to do is to make sure that we’re manufacturing more things in America and so you guys are all a part of that, and I really appreciate it,” continued Briggs.

WVVA requested interviews from both Briggs and SBA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Jim Spencer but were declined due to a White House order.

The Bluefield Coal & Mining Show will run through Friday, September 12 at the Brushfork Armory.