Big Stone Gap receives $2 Million grant for Big Cherry Reservoir

Big Stone Gap just received $2 million from the Virginia Department of Energy on Wednesday to support its Big Cherry Reservoir Recreation Project. The funding is part of Virginia Energy’s Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization grant program, which aims to repurpose land and remediate any issues left by coal mining operations that took place before 1977. Town official say the money will be used to develop rental cabins and a general store and also create more fishing opportunities at the reservoir. A press release from Virginia Sen. Todd Pillion points out the potential for the project to bring more tourism dollars to the area.