August 17, 2011

Rahall, Rockefeller, Manchin Announce $2.3 Million USDA Rural Development Funding for Southern West Virginia

BECKLEY, W.Va. – Applauding the economic and health and safety benefits to rural communities, U.S. Representative Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.), along with Senators Jay Rockefeller and Joe Manchin (both D-W.Va.), Tuesday announced federal funding for multiple water infrastructure and development projects in southern West Virginia.

“This infrastructure funding is an investment in building a brighter, more prosperous future for our children and grandchildren,” said Rahall.  “By investing in our communities and infrastructure to attract new businesses, we can reap big economic dividends that will help to grow the economy and create jobs, as well as shrink the deficit.”

“Investments in our communities, whether in the form of building clean water supplies, firefighting equipment or libraries, are investments in the people of our state and commitments to building a better future,” said Senator Rockefeller.

“These investments in our rural communities will provide much needed resources – like safe and reliable water, emergency response services and library equipment – to households and families that need them,” Senator Manchin said. “Improvements to utilities, community services and emergency equipment are commonsense ways that local communities can partner with the government to help improve the quality of life  for residents of our communities, attract residents and businesses that create jobs, and make West Virginia a better place to visit and live.”

Logan County Public Service District in Logan will receive a Water and Waste Disposal Loan of $1.3 million and a grant of $789,000 to provide public water service to approximately 192 additional households that are currently without a safe and reliable source of water.  The $6.2 million project is needed to resolve water quality and quantity issues that are currently affecting the area.  Construction will consist of 97,400 feet of waterline, one booster station and water storage tank, and 50 fire hydrants.

East Fork Volunteer Fire Department in Mingo County will receive a $12,000 Community Facility Loan, an $18,230 Community Facility grant, and a $6,770 Economic Impact Initiative grant to purchase a $37,000 four-wheel drive truck to enhance its emergency response capabilities. 

The Pocahontas County Free Libraries have been awarded a $12,000 Economic Impact Initiative grant for its $16,000 project to purchase shelving, computers, copiers and supplies for the Linwood Community Library, which was established last year and is located in the former Snowshoe Welcome Center.

West Virginia lamb and goat producers will benefit from the USDA-approved processing facility to be established in Raleigh County with a $99,500 Rural Business Enterprise grant awarded to Floridan Resource Conservation and Development Council, Inc.  The facility will allow for processing value-added products and is expected to create five jobs and save ten jobs in the region.

Wyoming County Economic Development Authority (EDA) will receive a $17,800 Rural Business Enterprise Grant to establish an outreach and marketing program for small business revolving loan funds operated by the Wyoming County EDA to assist borrowers in Boone, Lincoln, Logan, Mercer, Mingo, McDowell, and Wyoming Counties.  The project is expected to create 40 jobs, save 20 jobs, and assist 20 businesses.

The funding was made available by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, which helps to improve the economy and quality of life in rural areas across the United States. Rural Development achieves its mission by helping rural individuals, communities, and businesses obtain the financial and technical assistance needed to address their diverse and unique needs.