I GET A KICK OUT OF ENTREPRENEURS
One
of the most gratifying experiences for an economic
developer is the opportunity to work with entrepreneurs
who possess a special genius, and combine it with great
confidence, resourcefulness, determination, energy and
an uncanny sense for anticipating market opportunities.
And the Rockbridge area has no shortage of these individuals.
Some
of these entrepreneurs design, manufacture, and successfully
market very complex pieces of equipment such as heat
exchangers, ophthalmoscopic medical equipment, and
mobile power generating systems. Others start with
something as simple as a velcro strap, a tent, or
a picture frame, and see market opportunities leading
to great success. Now add “junk” to that
list.
When I first
started working with Paul Palma of AutoRecyclers,
I wondered whether he was ‘nuts’ or I
was just imagining he said he wanted to acquire the
environmentally contaminated Stillwater or Reeves
building. But he’s in the business of recycling,
of seeing the potentials and opportunities in property
that no one else wants. Having persevered at great
time and expense through an environmental regulatory
maze, AutoRecyclers successfully mitigated the Reeves
Brothers property’s
environmental degradation and emerged as the property’s
new owner, a feat few thought possible. And the business
is ‘bankable’ because
Paul Palma has figured out how to turn everyone’s
junk into profits.
Paul Palma is now just beginning
a $1,000,000 renovation of the Reeves Brothers
property and will relocate his growing business from
Winchester to Buena Vista later this year. It will
be fun to watch this entrepreneur grow this business,
and to look forward to future entrepreneurial success
stories.
David L. Kleppinger, Executive Director
To
download a printable PDF file of the evening’s
program, click
here. |
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