Former Bluefield economic developer completes first year with Small Business Administration

BLUEFIELD, W.Va. (WVVA) - A longtime southern West Virginia economic developer has completed his first year working for the federal government.

Jim Spencer, former head of the Bluefield Economic Development Authority, became a regional head for the Small Business Administration last March.

In his role, Spencer manages the SBA’s operations in West Virginia, Virginia, Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C.

“One of the things I’m excited about is there is a huge push from the federal government to do onshoring – bringing the jobs back that should have never been exported overseas — to manufacture in our area. And manufacturing would help boost the economy especially in our local area,” Spencer said.

Spencer said the SBA will be holding a forum on burdensome government regulations this spring.

“The number one thing is that we’re listening to small business. I’ll give you an example. It’s no secret the previous presidential administration was anti-coal which impacts our area. You know, you see power plants shutting down and things like that. The Trump administration is looking for the uses of coal,” Spencer said.