November 28, 2017

MANCHIN AND CAPITO ANNOUNCE MORE THAN $9.2 MILLION FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN WEST VIRGINIA

Washington, D.C. – Today U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) announced $9,295,505 - $591,505 in grant funding and $8,704,000 in approved loans - from the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development program for rural development projects in four West Virginia communities.

“Rural development projects provide economic opportunities that are felt across very corner of West Virginia,” said Senator Manchin. “This funding will be used to purchase a new police vehicle in Lewis County, construct a new water treatment plant in McMechen, conduct a feasibility study in Mingo County and improve the water and waste disposal system in Wyoming County.”

“Access to quality public services and economic opportunity are essential for West Virginia’s rural communities to thrive. This funding will assist local leaders in their efforts to grow our economy, and improve the quality of life for West Virginians. I will continue to advocate for programs like these that invest in our state’s future,” said Senator Capito.

Individual awards listed below:

$6,650,000 to the City of McMechen - Rural Development funds will be used to construct a new water treatment plant, rehabilitate and install security for the ground wells, complete potable water line replacements, and rehabilitate two water storage tanks. The City of McMechen owns and operates a Class I ground water only public water system in Marshall County, West Virginia. It is located adjacent to the Ohio River, south of Wheeling, WV off WV Route 2. The source of raw water is pumped from four ground wells. The system consists of a water treatment plan, two steel finished potable water storage tanks, and a distribution system with a total of 0.6 M gallon storage capacity. The distribution system consists of approximately 5.79 miles of water main ranging from 4" to 12" diameter steel pipe. The City serves approximately 956 residential and commercial customers and 1 resale user.

$4,900 to the Lewis County Commission - Rural Development funds will be used to purchase a new AWD Ford Police Interceptor sedan through the WV State bid procurement process, with the installation of all necessary emergency response police equipment.

$50,605 to the Mingo County Redevelopment Authority - Rural Development funds will be used to conduct a study of the feasibility of a Wood Products Industrial Park to be located in Mingo County West Virginia. The study will investigate opportunities in marketing value added and end-use manufacture of wood products of the West Virginia timber industry.

$2,590,000 to the Center Public Service District - Rural Development funds will be used to replace approximately 1,250' of 15" pipe, 4,812' of 12" pipe, and 38 existing manholes in the Sycamore Avenue and Rock Castle Creek areas. The project will consist of installing a rotary fan press, modifying the existing screen mechanism, and installing a new NPW system. These improvements will significantly decrease I&I, customer complaints, and environmental concerns. No customers will be added with this project.

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