August 19, 2020

Manchin Applauds Summit Point, Customs and Border Protection Partnership

Charleston, WV – U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) applauded the partnership announced yesterday between Summit Point, West Virginia and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to provide facilities for CBP training programs.

“The partnership between Summit Point and the CBP is great news for West Virginia. After the U.S. State Department decided to move their training center from Summit Point, West Virginia, I started looking for other options to continue using Summit Point for federal training programs. The CBP Advanced Training Center in Harper’s Ferry needed to expand their training capacity and after months of discussions, have decided the nineteen acres of Summit Point are the perfect location to expand their training. I am pleased that Summit Point will again serve a purpose for our country and look forward to seeing this partnership flourish in years to come,” said Senator Manchin.

Senator Manchin’s work to bring the CBP to Summit Point:

  • September 2019 – Senator Manchin successfully included $10 million in the Fiscal Year 2020 Homeland Security appropriations bill to facilitate the transfer of State Department property at Summit Point and the expansion of infrastructure to meet CBP’s needs.
  • February 2018 - June 2019 – Senator Manchin worked with the Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Advanced Training Center (ATC) in Harper’s Ferry to identify a need for expanded training for CBP officers, which Summit Point was uniquely positioned to fulfill.
  • November 2017 – Senator Manchin led a letter with Senator Capito to the Secretary of State reiterating the need for continued training at Summit Point.
  • July 2015 – Senator Manchin led the West Virginia Congressional Delegation in sending letters to the Government Accountability Office and the Assistant Secretary of State for Diplomatic Security advocating for the continued use of Summit Point which could meet the State Department’s training needs and provide cost-savings, resulting in a delay in the move.
  • May 2008 – The State Department proposed a move of the Foreign Affairs Security Training Center (FASTC) from Summit Point to a dedicated facility in Blackstone, Virginia at a cost of $461 million.