July 21, 2022

Manchin Announces $911K From American Rescue Plan to Support West Virginia Small Satellite Center of Excellence

Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced $911,708 from the Economic Development Administration (EDA) to West Virginia University (WVU) for the West Virginia Small Satellite Center of Excellence (WVSSCE). The funding was made possible through the American Rescue Plan and will support salaries, supplies, travel, equipment and contractual services for the WVSSCE in Morgantown, West Virginia.

“The American Rescue Plan continues to deliver critical investments for our communities that spur economic development and create good-paying, long-term jobs. I’m pleased the EDA is supporting the development of software testing at the West Virginia Small Satellite Center of Excellence, which builds on the incredible work of NASA’s Katherine Johnson Independent Verification and Validation (IV&V) Facility and the West Virginia Robotics Technology Center nearby, as well as the launch of West Virginia’s first satellite into space four years ago. I look forward to seeing the positive impacts of this funding for the Morgantown regional economy,” said Senator Manchin.

"Thanks to the guidance and leadership from our congressional delegation, including Senator Manchin and his staff who recommended that we explore EDA funding, we now have an opportunity to commercialize space in West Virginia. The WV Small Satellite Center at WVU will work to realize the WV delegation's vision for economic diversification in West Virginia," said David Martinelli, Professor, Wadsworth Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at West Virginia University.

The WVSSCE develops and delivers world-class, third-party small satellite (SmallSat) modeling/simulation software verification and validation, advanced aerospace manufacturing, and research and development services to commercial, academic, domestic and foreign government customers. Once completed, the project will create high-paying, high-tech job opportunities, retain jobs, attract private investment and strengthen economic resilience in Morgantown and across the entire state.