More than $7 million in federal funding announced for WV economic development projects
WV News
November 11, 2019
CHARLESTON — More than $7 million in federal funding will be distributed across eight economic development projects in West Virginia.
The funding, which will be awarded through the U.S. Economic Development Administration, was announced Monday morning by U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., and Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Dr. John Fleming, as well as a joint press release from Capito and Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va.
“EDA is pleased to work closely with Sen. Capito to help support West Virginia’s growing economy,” Fleming said, appearing in West Virginia along with Capito Monday. “We congratulate our grantees for their focus on creating new opportunities in the state, and we thank the senator for her continued commitment to economic development.”
According to the release, Capito made it a priority to raise her concerns to the administration after learning its investments in West Virginia were not matching the need for federal dollars to spur economic growth or focusing enough on infrastructure and workforce training.
“Improving our economy, revitalizing communities and creating opportunities for West
Virginians has been a top priority of mine since day one,” Capito said. “That’s exactly why after just two months of being a United States senator, I made it a priority to meet directly with EDA leadership to encourage them to invest in West Virginia — specially focusing on projects that spur economic growth.”
Manchin added that these awards would give the opportunity to demonstrate the hardworking nature of West Virginia’s workforce.
“I am glad to see that the Economic Development Administration (EDA) is supporting West Virginia by investing in our regional economies and infrastructure which is essential to creating good paying jobs, boosting economic development and improving the lives of all residents and businesses across West Virginia,” Manchin said. “I truly believe West Virginians are the most dedicated and hardworking individuals and through these investments that create jobs, our people will be able to prove it.”
The awards, recipients and projects are:
— City of Philippi: $2 million — Extension of exiting sewer infrastructure approximately three miles along U.S. 119 and 250 to serve the Arch Coal Sentinel/Leer South mine.
— The Pocahontas Public Service District: $1.5 million — Sanitary sewer infrastructure
improvements needed to help the county’s largest manufacturer, Inter-State Hardwoods, expand into a new 50,000 square-foot facility.
— Town of Capon Bridge: $1.2 million — Providing sewer infrastructure to serve the Capon Bridge Business and Technology Park.
— The Putnam Public Service District: $860,000 — Sewer service improvements needed to support a state-of-the-art service and parts center for high-end commercial and vocational trucks.
— The Business Development Corporation of the Northern Panhandle: $750,000 — Purchasing equipment for 20 welding booths that will enable a 20-week welding training program.
— The West Virginia Coalition for Technology Based Economic Development (TechConnectWV): $500,000 — Helping launch the TechWrx West Virginia entrepreneurial development initiative.
— The Eastern Panhandle Regional Planning and Development Council: $150,000 — Designing and engineering roadway and other infrastructure improvements needed to open land to manufacturing and commercial entities and a local community college.
— Marshall University Research Corporation: $57,375 —Enabling the Robert C. Byrd Institute to complete a regional workforce analysis for 23 counties in central and southern West Virginia.
“I’m proud to have Assistant Secretary Fleming with me today in West Virginia to announce this important funding that will provide much-needed support to projects in every corner of West Virginia, and I look forward to continuing our efforts together to make West Virginia the best place to live and work,” Capito said.