DMG Sewing LLC Approved for VCEDA Seed Capital Grant
Custom garments, sewing repairs and alterations, precision laser cutting services for fabrics and material and on-site sewing machine repairs are among the services being offered by Gerald Vandyke as he opens DMG Sewing LLC, a recent recipient of a $10,000 VCEDA Seed Capital Matching Grant, in Buchanan County.
KEEN MOUNTAIN, VA – Custom garments, sewing repairs and alterations, precision laser cutting services for fabrics and material and on-site sewing machine repairs are among the services to be offered by Gerald Vandyke as he opens DMG Sewing LLC in Buchanan County.
DMG Sewing LLC is a recent recipient of a $10,000 Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) Seed Capital Matching Grant. Seed capital grants are funded from regional funds received by VCEDA which are paid by the natural gas industry.
“DMG Sewing LLC has plans to create a sewing factory that provides local jobs, locally made products and a Made in the USA claim that originates in the Keen Mountain area,” said Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA executive director/general counsel. “The business projects 30 full-time employees and 10 part-time employees within five years.”
Located in the former Keen Mountain Auto Parts building on Riverside Drive at Keen Mountain, DMG Sewing has plans for how best to fill up the 4,500-square-foot space. Auto parts will continue to be sold on the ground floor, however, renovations are underway upstairs for the sewing business and if a need to further expand is seen, Vandyke said the basement of the building provides an additional option.
He already has 10 machines with the plan to add eight more in the initial stages of the sewing business. Plans are to open all facets of the business shortly after the first of the year.
“DMG stands for ‘Do More Good’ and we want to be the go-to local expert for custom garments and laser cutting services,” Vandyke said. “There is a lot of satisfaction from the first stitch to completing a project. There’s a real sense of pride. We want to offer local jobs, a local product and a Made in the USA label.”
Vandyke has more than a decade of experience in the sewing and cutting field. He has already made slings for slingshot competition which he was contracted to do by a company in Utah and would like to acquire military contracts in the future. He has a line of bags for ATVs and hopes to work with area schools to establish a trade school sewing program. In addition to custom products made at DMG, Vandyke said DMG will also do cutting for other businesses.
As it gets up and running Vandyke said the business will showcase a unique blend of traditional sewing and modern laser cutting which targets both individual customers and local businesses requiring custom garment solutions as well as precision sewing repairs.
“Many customers and businesses face challenges in obtaining custom garments and repairs offering both a high level of craftsmanship and precise detailing, often resulting in long turnaround times, inconsistent quality or limited customization options,” Vandyke said. “DMG Sewing addresses these challenges by integrating traditional sewing expertise with modern laser cutting technology, enabling faster production, enhanced accuracy and superior customization capabilities that satisfy diverse customer requirements.”
Vandyke is using the seed capital funds for to purchase additional sewing machines and an embroidery machine.
“The VCEDA grant was very helpful and it’s something that has been good not only for me, but for other small businesses in the area. It gives people a headstart in business as there is a lot of work to getting a new business set up. It’s been very beneficial to me.”
Vandyke worked with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Southwest Virginia Community College (SWCC) in developing his application to VCEDA. He received a letter of support from the Buchanan County Industrial Development Authority (IDA).
“We enjoyed working with Gerald as he transformed his passion for sewing machines and equipment into a new business startup in Buchanan County,” said SWCC SBDC Director Denise Harmon. “Gerald's enthusiasm, determination and technical knowledge have been evident throughout his entrepreneurial journey. It has been exciting to watch his vision take shape as he turns an idea into a business. We look forward to seeing DMG Sewing, LLC grow, serve customers throughout the region and hopefully create future employment opportunities in Buchanan County as the business continues to develop.
“The SBDC is proud to have supported Gerald as he launched DMG Sewing, LLC,” Harmon added. “We wish him every success and are excited to watch his business unfold and become a valuable part of our local business community."
“The Buchanan County IDA is excited to see this business come to life here in the Keen Mountain area,” said Buchanan County Economic Development Director Jeremy Ward. “A business that can bring in multiple local jobs with opportunities to expand further and offer products that can carry a Made in the USA tag is a great asset for our county.”
PHOTO CAPTION: Custom garments, sewing repairs and alterations, precision laser cutting services for fabrics and material and on-site sewing machine repairs are among the services being offered by Gerald Vandyke as he opens DMG Sewing LLC, a recent recipient of a $10,000 VCEDA Seed Capital Matching Grant, in Buchanan County, VA.
