October 11, 2017

MANCHIN ANNOUNCES MORE THAN $8 MILLION IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GRANTS FOR WEST VIRGINIA

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) announced $8,335,145 in funding from Economic Development Administration (EDA) to assist in economic development projects in Mingo, Braxton, Randolph, Kanawha, Monongalia, Marion, Hancock and Mercer Counties. The grants are estimated to impact 1,289 jobs and leverage $75,750,000 in private investments.

“The West Virginian economy is dependent on the availability and access to jobs at all skill-levels, and it’s important to make sure all West Virginians have access to quality job opportunities,” Senator Manchin said. “This federal investment will support job creation, technology and educational opportunities in our state and I look forward to seeing the positive impact in our economy, businesses and workforce.”

Individual Awards Listed Below:

$2,500,000 – Randolph County Development Authority: to fund the expansion of an existing manufacturing plant in Randolph County, West Virginia.  The plant is one of the county’s largest employers and requires additional space to accommodate its growing manufacturing needs.  Completion of the project will support the development and growth of the innovation cluster, create and retain jobs and promote initiatives that expand the competitiveness of the region.

$1,478,100 – Flatwoods Canoe Run Public Service District: to support the replacement and extension of a water line and related infrastructure in Braxton County, West Virginia devastated by the downturn in the coal industry.  The completion of this project will provide adequate water supply to local businesses in the area especially during an emergency, help retain jobs, attract new businesses to the area and promote initiatives that expand the competitiveness of the region.

$1,392,480 – Mingo County Redevelopment Authority and Mingo County Public Service District: to fund construction of a waterline to provide water services to the new Twisted Gun Gap development and the Hatfield-McCoy trail system in Mingo County, West Virginia.  Once completed, the project will serve as a catalyst for enhancing the region’s tourism cluster and for attracting new commercial and industrial development and job creation to the area.  This investment will provide economic stability, diversification and strengthen the local economy. 

$767,442 – Pierpont Community and Technical College: to fund the purchase of training equipment and provide staffing to support the expansion of the Aviation Program, at the Robert C. Byrd Aerospace Center, operated by the Pierpont Community and Technical College in Marion County, West Virginia.  Completion of the project will increase staff and upgrade the equipment to current industry standards to double the graduating classes from the college and provide highly-skilled workers to the recently announced Bombardier expansion project.  This investment will provide economic diversification, create jobs, and strengthen the local economy.

$750,000 – Center for Applied Research and Technology: to fund technical assistance to the new Bluefield Commercialization Station in Mercer County, West Virginia.  This investment will provide high-tech industrial technical services and an incubator that will foster new business creation in the region.  In addition, the funds will help to expand the production line of existing businesses, diversify the local economy, and create and retain jobs.

$747,123 – West Virginia University: to fund the development of the West Virginia University LaunchLab Network to facilitate small business development and foster economic growth in Morgantown, West Virginia.  The LaunchLab will provide students, local residents and small business owners with the opportunity to develop entrepreneurial skills and products that are not available in the traditional curriculum.

$400,000 – WV Coalition for Technology Based Economic Development: to support new programs to assist with the development of high-tech positions in the West Virginia region.  The Tech Assist program will provide next-stage development guidance to a network of entrepreneurs and new businesses in the area.  This investment will provide needed economic stability, development of high-tech positions and companies through a coordinated approach of services by the existing incubator/accelerator system, and the development of a larger regional private investment consortium that will ensure business and job sustainability into the future.

$300,000 – Business Development Corporation of the Northern Panhandle: to fund the creation of a Weirton Area Reuse Plan for repurposing, redeveloping, upgrading infrastructure, and attracting new investment to a former steel facility and underutilized industrial land in Hancock County, West Virginia.  This reuse plan will provide strategic recommendations for pursuing manufacturing, infrastructure improvements and community revitalization initiatives to support the transformation of Weirton and the Northern Panhandle region.

###