Oct 31, 2018Infrastructure Projects Recently Funded
USDA RUS Projects Funded
Anne Hazlett, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development, announced Monday that the Armstrong Public Service District and the Town of Pax are part of a group of nationwide infrastructure projects that will receive $392 million in grants and loans for water and wastewater projects.
The Armstrong PSD will receive $385,000 in loans and $618,000 in grant funds for the installation of a new water tank and water line upgrades for 743 customers.
Those funds are in addition to a $1.5 million Small City Block Grant that was previously awarded.
The Town of Pax will receive $230,000 in loans and $631,000 in grant funds for the installation of 11,300 feet of water line, eight fire hydrants, 29 meters and additional radiometers.
In total, West Virginia received five grant and loan awards.
"Put simply, modern and reliable water infrastructure is foundational to quality of life and economic development,” Hazlett said in a news release. “USDA’s partnerships with rural communities underscore Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue’s commitment to rural people and the places they call home.”
The funding was made available by the USDA's Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant program.
Link to Article: https://www.register-herald.com/news/town-of-pax-a...
ARC Projects Funded
- Mingo County, WV
- Town of Matewan
- Red Jacket Sanitary Sewer Project
- $1,540,000
The project will extend public wastewater service to the area of Upper Mate Creek in Mingo County. Customers currently rely upon an aging system that is now inoperable. Many customers have disconnected from the system entirely, reverting to unreliable septic systems or discharging directly into nearby streams. The project will benefit 158 existing customers.
- McDowell County, WV
- Town of Northfork
- Elkhorn Creek Phase 2 Water Extension Project
- $1,800,000
The project will extend public water service to 408 new residential and business customers in the Northfork, Keystone, Upland, Powhatan, and Kyle areas of McDowell County. Currently, customers in the project area rely upon aging and failing systems that are in very poor condition. The project will increase access to reliable and clean water for area residents and improve economic development potential along Route 52 in the county.
Link to Article: https://governor.wv.gov/News/press-releases/2018/P...
EDA Projects Funded
Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding $6.7 million in grants to the State of West Virginia to support local business development and job growth efforts. According to grantee estimates, the projects are expected to create or retain more than 1,430 jobs, while generating $35 million in private investment.
“The Trump Administration is committed to creating new opportunities for American workers and building the infrastructure necessary for sustainable growth,” said Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross. “These projects will help support the efforts of local leaders to diversify and grow the state’s economy.”
“We’re extremely pleased that the EDA is funding these projects in West Virginia,” said Governor Jim Justice. “It will not only improve the quality of life for our citizens, but it will provide opportunities for economic development as we continue to grow and move forward in West Virginia. Again, we thank Secretary Ross and the Trump Administration for investing in West Virginia.”
“I’ve always said that economic growth starts at the local level, which is why it’s important that we continue working to revitalize and support our small communities in West Virginia,” said Senator Capito. “For years, I’ve worked directly with the Department of Commerce to encourage a renewed focus and drive investment in West Virginia so we can spur economic development and boost our economy. I am thrilled that the EDA has decided to once again invest in our state, and I’m proud of the role I played in making today’s announcement possible. Not only will these investments lead to more than a thousand new jobs for West Virginians looking for work now, but they will also lead to significant private investment that will benefit the region’s economy over the long term.”
“These grants will encourage economic development and improve the quality of life in communities across the state,” said U.S. Representative David McKinley. “Diversifying the economy of West Virginia needs to be a top priority. We will continue to work with the EDA and other federal agencies to bring as many resources to bear as possible to help West Virginia achieve that goal.”
The EDA investments announced today are:
The McDowell County Public Service District in Welch will receive $1.75 million to assist in the replacement of antiquated water systems. The improved water infrastructure will serve 32 businesses that currently rely on inadequate and unsafe water in the communities of Northfork, Keystone, Kyle, Upland, Powhatan. According to grantee estimates, the project is expected to help create 99 jobs, retain 65 existing jobs and generate $1 million in private investment. The project was developed in cooperation with the EDA-supported Economic Development District, Region 1 Planning and Development Council.
The Buffalo Creek Public Service District of Amherstdale will receive $1.5 million to support commercial and economic development by establishing a sanitary sewer collection system that will adjoin the newly constructed four-lane highway in Logan County. The improvements will also assist with the continued development of the Hatfield-McCoy Trail System. According to grantee estimates, the project is expected to create 250 jobs and spur $10 million in private investment. The project was developed in cooperation with the EDA-supported Economic Development District, Region 2 Planning and Development Council.
The City of Bluefield will receive $1 million to drive economic development and diversification efforts in the region by supporting the construction of a 15-acre multi-purpose, multi-tenant property on the border of West Virginia and Virginia. According to grantee estimates, the project is expected to create 250 jobs and spur $11 million in private investment. The project was developed in cooperation with the EDA-support Economic Development District, Region 1 Planning and Development Council.
The Branchland-Midkiff Public Service District in Branchland will receive $540,000 to upgrade the current water service system to serve 32 existing businesses and increase capacity for future development in Lincoln County. According to grantee estimates, the project is expected to create or retain 174 jobs. The project was developed in cooperation with the EDA-supported Economic Development District (EDD), Region 2 Economic Development District.
Link to Article: https://www.eda.gov/news/press-releases/2018/10/10...