August 17, 2021

Manchin Hosts Secretary Castillo In Huntington To Announce $2.65 Million From EDA For Economic Development, Workforce Training In West Virginia

To view photos from Senator Manchin and Secretary Castillo’s visit, please click here.
 
Huntington, WV – Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) hosted U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo in Huntington to promote economic development and job growth in West Virginia, specifically in coal communities. Senator Manchin and Secretary Castillo announced $2,654,350 from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) for three programs that support economic development, workforce training and job creation in West Virginia.

Senator Manchin and Secretary Castillo hosted a roundtable at the NewForce West Virginia office to learn more about their job training and placement program and how funding from the EDA will help strengthen this program. After the roundtable, Senator Manchin and Secretary Castillo, along with state and local officials, announced and celebrated EDA investments for three West Virginia programs at the Robert C. Byrd Institute, West Virginia’s Manufacturing Technology Center (RCBI).

“The EDA has been an invaluable partner to West Virginia, creating jobs and stimulating economic growth in distressed communities across the state. I am thrilled EDA is investing $2.65 million in three programs to create jobs, train workers and spur economic development in the Mountain State,” said Senator Manchin. “It was an honor to show Secretary Castillo our incredible state and people, as well as hear about the impact these investments will have on the Mountain State and the opportunities for West Virginians that will derive from it. EDA is following through on their commitment to support and invest in coal communities through this funding and the next round of $300 million from the American Rescue Plan. I will continue to work with the EDA to advocate for smart investments like these so West Virginians can build a brighter economic future right here at home.”

“The Economic Development Administration investments announced today will provide critical technical assistance needed to grow West Virginia businesses and deliver the technical and entrepreneurial training that West Virginians need to create new business and fill in-demand jobs,” said U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo.  “EDA is excited to continue to make these types of investments as we implement our American Rescue Plan programs, including our Coal Communities Commitment.”

Over the past year, EDA has invested large amounts of funding in West Virginia, including $1.5 billion through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and $3 billion through the American Rescue Plan. The American Rescue Plan, which passed in March, set aside $300 million through the Coal Communities Commitment from the EDA to support coal communities recover from the pandemic and to help them create new jobs and opportunities. West Virginia is the largest recipient of the EDA’s Assistance to Coal Communities program since the program began in 2015.

In July, Senator Manchin announced that West Virginia is eligible to apply for six programs totaling $3 billion from the American Rescue Plan to support economic development across America in addition to the $300 million for coal community economic development.

Individual awards listed below:

  • $1,300,000 – Advantage Valley, Expanding Markets Initiatives
    • This initiative will help provide technical assistance to manufacturing, engineering, and other businesses in a nine-county region to build their client bases by connecting them with new external markets and expand regional supply chains. This EDA grant will be matched with $348,000 in local funds and is expected to help create 143 jobs, retain 184 jobs and generate $10.7 million in private investment. This funding is allocated from the EDA Assistance to Coal Communities (ACC) initiative.
  • $762,350 – Generation West Virginia, NewForce, Code to Recovery
    • This funding will help expand the NewForce program, a tuition-free, remote, team-based intensive tech training program that equips graduates with in-demand software development skills and direct access to in-demand jobs. This EDA grant, to be matched with $260,520 in local funds, is expected to create 81 jobs and generate $600,000 in private investment. This funding is allocated through EDA CARES Act Recovery Assistance.
  • $592,000 – Future of Nursing West Virginia, Nursing Entrepreneurship Program 
    • This funding will help to expand the West Virginia Nursing Entrepreneur Program, to give nurses the skills they need to launch health-related businesses. The project, to be matched with $148,000 in local funds, is expected to create 500 jobs, retain 70 jobs and generate $10 million in private investment. This funding is allocated through EDA CARES Act Recovery Assistance.

To view photos of the events, please click here.